6 Possible Reasons Why Your Shipment Is Late

Sometimes, your business will run into situations where your shipments are late or behind schedule. If your shipments are late, there’s usually a reason behind it.

Here are six possible reasons why your shipment is late.

1. Missing Documentation

One of the most common reasons for late shipments is missing documentation. To ship your products internationally, you’ll need accurate documentation. Some documents you’ll need to ship internationally are invoices, product codes, and shipment documentation. Additionally, you’ll need to ensure that all the documentation is accurate. If you use incorrect documents, customs will delay your shipments.

2. Bad Weather

During thunderstorms and rough weather, planes aren’t able to fly and ships aren’t able to travel safely. Bad weather can easily delay your shipments since transporting cargo in these conditions isn’t safe. Unfortunately, these delays are inevitable—shipping companies want to keep their employees and equipment safe along with your cargo.

3. Stuck in Customs

When companies ship internationally, it’s not uncommon for their cargo to get stuck in customs. For your products to pass through customs, you need to have accurate documentation and follow all customs rules and regulations. If you do not follow customs rules, they can delay or even destroy your cargo. To prevent this, always make sure to follow all the rules and regulations and to provide the correct documentation.

4. Wrong Address

Providing the wrong address is a common mistake that even the best businesses make. In this situation, your shipment will arrive at the wrong address on time, or customs might hold it. Customs generally hold items for one week to one month, so an incorrect address can seriously delay your cargo. Always double-check the address and country of origin listed on the cargo before shipping internationally.

5. Port Congestion

During holidays and other busy times of the year, ports can become congested with cargo. The best way to avoid this issue is to ship strategically during these times of the year. However, keep in mind that other issues can cause port congestion, including infrastructure needs, cargo surges from large ships, and labor disruptions. To help ensure that your shipment arrives on time, stay in touch with your shipping company or carriers.

6. Different Routes

Sometimes, a cargo boat might need to travel via a different route to safely reach its destination. Companies do this to protect their equipment, their employees, and their cargo. This can cause minor delays, but your shipping company should let you know if it happens.

The next time your shipment is behind schedule, remember to consider these six possible reasons why your shipment is late. If your business needs shipping and logistics services, call us at Diversified Transportation Services today. We can take care of all your shipping needs so that you can focus on the other aspects of your business.