As an online seller, shipping your products isn't just a necessity – it's an integral part of your brand. It's where the last, and possibly most crucial, part of the customer journey unfolds. The care and speed of delivery are what your customers will remember.

This is especially true with high-value items. Whether it's a luxury handbag or the latest high-end TV, your customers expect top-notch handling and security from the moment they purchase, until it’s delivered to their doorstep.

So here’s what you need to keep in mind when shipping high-value items to your customers:

Packaging

To find the best packaging for your items, start by making sure you know their size, weight, and shape. This will help you pick the most suitable packaging materials for them.

Fragile items need double-wall or tri-wall cardboard boxes, while heavy items like TVs require robust solutions like double-layered boxes or plastic crates. Steer clear of reusing boxes as they lose their rigidity and sturdiness over time.

Inside the package, make sure to use cushioning material like bubble wrap or foam to minimize movement and prevent damage to the items. If you're packing multiple parts or items into a single box, use corrugated inserts and dividers to keep the items separate and protected.

Don't forget to minimise empty space within the box to prevent it from collapsing during transit. Packing peanuts or differently shaped foam can help with this.

Insurance

For high-value items, it's essential to have insurance that matches their value in case of unforeseen issues. Check that your insurance covers shipment delays and damages, and be sure to read through the terms and conditions to know how much and how quickly you'll be compensated.

Tracking and monitoring

Research has found that 96% of shoppers track their orders, with 43% monitoring it on a daily basis. So it’s important that you prioritise real-time order tracking in order to provide excellent service and ensure the security of high-value items in transit.

Real-time tracking not only offers peace of mind for your customer, but also allows you to see where your item is at all times and ensure it’s not been lost or stolen along the way. Some couriers also offer specialised tracking services that can be used for high-value items.

Shipping method

Selecting the right courier is crucial for meeting both your business needs and the expectations of your customers. Choosing a reliable and secure carrier with a strong track record in handling high-value items, such as DHL, gives both you and your customer the peace of mind of knowing that your products will arrive safely.

It’s also important to choose a courier partner that offers expedited or express shipping services, along with enhanced security measures tailored for high-value items. And depending on the nature of the item being shipped, it may be necessary to partner with a provider that can ensure specific temperature and environmental conditions during transit. For instance, sensitive items like art or electronics require the right surroundings to avoid any potential damage caused by humidity and temperature fluctuations.

Customs documentation

When shipping items overseas, getting the customs documentation right is crucial to avoiding delays. Don’t underestimate the hassle that this can cause you if you slip up – having your products held up at customs can damage your brand reputation and the costs involved may not be covered by your insurance provider.

Make sure to include detailed item descriptions as well as the value of the items on the documents to sail through customs checkpoints without a hitch. Different countries have different customs rules, so always check before you ship.

Communication

Keeping customers in the loop about when their items will arrive can go a long way towards earning their loyalty. For example, simple gestures like an automated email or text message to confirm that someone will be home to sign for the delivery can make a big difference.

It can also be useful to give customers flexibility in their delivery options in case they won’t be around, such as delivering the item to a neighbour or allowing them to reschedule the delivery date.

Make your e-commerce business more cost-effective with WorldFirst

These tips will help you improve customer satisfaction by delivering their high-value items quickly and safely. But now, there’s a way to make secure shipping easier than ever.

As a WorldFirst customer, you’ll be able to benefit from our partnership with reputable logistics provider DHL and enjoy an exclusive 60% off a new DHL Express Business Account*. You’ll also enjoy the assurance of timely deliveries and end-to-end visibility of your shipments.

Here’s what else you can look forward to with your World Account: it lets you open 10+ local currency accounts in minutes and connect to 100+ global marketplaces, so customers can pay you in their own currency. This seamless transaction experience, combined with our competitive exchange rates and zero fees or ongoing costs, makes international business simpler and more cost-effective.

Don’t have an account yet? Discover the benefits, including integration with accounting software and the ability to pay suppliers in 40+ currencies across 130+ countries and regions, by opening an account today.

Open a World Account for free today

*The promotion period is from 1st October 2023 to 31st December 2024. Terms and conditions apply.