We have reviewed the international shipping guides fro DHL, Fedex and UPS for use by a novice shipper. We have evaluated these guides on the following points:
- Content Layout
- Ease of understanding for a novice shipper
- “How To” instructions provided
- Links to Shipping resources openly available without registration.
In our estimation DHL provides the best How To Ship International Guide in the form of their “DHL Guide to Exporting” from all four standpoints. This is primarily because their document answers the following questions in a manner that is easy to understand and complete:
- What do you need to start?
- How do I distinguish between Document and Non Document item?
- What forms are the basic forms that I need?
- What kind of shipping resources are available to me?
- What services do you provide?
The “Fedex International Shipping Reference Guide” comes in second and the “UPS Navigate International Shipping With Confidence Guide” comes in at a distant third.
The “DHL guide to exporting” differentiation between Document and Non-document item helped push it over the top. Fedex uses a flow chart to differentiate between Document and Non-Document packages that we believe would be confusing to a novice shipper.
Finally DHL won first place because of its inclusion of shipping resource links that are avialable to the public without first registering. These include their “Trade Document Library” which is a treasure trove of additional document that may be needed to export to your country besides the basic documents and “Interactive Classier” for finding Harmonized B and Schedule B numbers. The Fedex guide does not have their own classifier they refer you to an external government site. UPS make referenced to a TradeAbility tools to find harmonized tariff codes but they do not provide a link to it.
Finally, please see our “Shipping an International Package:Step by Step Instructions” for information that will complement the shipping guides below.
Good Luck and Good Shipping
Your How To Ship Advisor
Fedex International Shipping Reference Guide
UPS Navigate International Shipping With Confidence Guide
Shipping an International Package:Step by Step Instructions
DHL, Fedex, UPS Domestic Shipping Service Comparison
DHL, Fedex and UPS International Air Service Comparison
DHL, Fedex and UPS International Freight Service Comparison
DHL, Fedex and UPS Free Shipping Resources: A Comparison
DHL, Fedex and UPS Small Business Center Comparison
