What is international shipping? A complete beginner’s guide

Shipping a parcel abroad is a lot like coordinating a relay race across borders. Each handoff, from packaging and documentation to customs and last-mile delivery, needs to be perfectly timed, or everything slows down. You are not just sending a box from India to New York or Paris; you’re managing a carefully planned journey through international regulations, freight routes, and carrier networks. if you’re new to international shipping, it can feel overwhelming.

What documents do you need? How are international shipping charges calculated? What are the risks of delays, duties, or unexpected fees? And most importantly, which international shipping companies can you trust to deliver on time, without draining your time or budget?

That’s where XpressBees comes in. As one of India’s fastest-growing logistics partners, XpressBees has made international shipping simpler, faster, and more reliable for Indian businesses. From small D2C brands to large enterprises, thousands trust XpressBees to handle their global deliveries with unmatched reach and end-to-end support.

If you have ever held back from selling overseas because the process seemed too complex, this guide is for you. We will break down the entire international shipping journey, from documentation and pricing to customs and delivery, so you can take your brand global with confidence.

The common challenges Indian exporters face

For many Indian businesses, international demand is no longer the issue; delivery is. In Q1 FY 26, Indian goods exports to the U.S. grew 23.5% year-over-year, emphasising strong global demand, but also increasing pressure on logistics capacity.

The truth is, even the best products can lose value if they don’t arrive on time, get stuck in customs, or worse, go untracked.

Here are some of the most common pain points Indian exporters face:

• Unclear documentation requirements that delay shipments at borders.
  
• Fluctuating international shipping charges that erode profit margins
  
• Lack of international shipping tracking leaves sellers and customers in the dark.
  
• Inconsistent delivery timelines, especially during peak seasons or to remote international locations.
  
• Complex customs clearance with little support from basic courier services.
  

These issues aren’t just minor setbacks—they directly affect customer trust, trigger refund requests, and can stall your global growth.

That’s why choosing the right international shipping partner isn’t just helpful; it’s a crucial decision for a business’s growth. With so many international shipping companies out there, the difference lies in who offers reliable support when it matters: things like international shipping tracking, documentation assistance, and customs expertise. Even a single added layer of support can turn a complicated cross-border shipment into a smooth customer experience.

What to look for in an international shipping partner

We have covered the common challenges businesses face, but the real game-changer is choosing the right logistics partner to help you overcome them. In the world of international shipping, your logistics partner isn’t just a service provider; they are an extension of your brand experience. From timely deliveries to customs support and tracking, the right partner ensures your product arrives exactly how and when it should. So, what should you expect, and how does XpressBees set itself apart?

• Extensive connectivity: XpressBees offers access to a vast logistics network, including 40+ cargo airports and 12 major cargo seaports across India. This multi-modal reach ensures faster dispatch, smoother customs handling, and greater flexibility across global routes.
• End-to-end shipping services: XpressBees provides a complete international shipping service, from first-mile pickup in India to last-mile delivery across 190+ countries. This full-stack solution simplifies the process for Indian exporters who often struggle with fragmented logistics.
• Handling of customs & documentation: One of the biggest hurdles in how to ship internationally from India is managing paperwork and customs clearance. XpressBees offers professional support to ensure your shipment doesn’t get held up at borders, saving time and reducing penalties.
• Transparent pricing:  Surprise costs can ruin profitability. XpressBees helps businesses understand and estimate international shipping charges clearly, based on weight, destination, and shipping mode, removing the guesswork from calculating international shipping costs from India.
• Real-time tracking:  Lack of visibility is a major pain point for exporters. With XpressBees, you get robust international shipping tracking at every stage of the journey, keeping both you and your customers in the loop. Each shipment comes with a single tracking number, making it easy to monitor progress across countries, carriers, and customs, all in one place.
• Competitive delivery timelines: With deliveries to global markets in just 6–10 working days, XpressBees ensures faster turnaround times than many traditional international shipping companies, giving your brand an edge in customer satisfaction.
• Scalable support for all business sizes: Whether you are sending one parcel to Paris or managing bulk orders to the US, XpressBees is built to scale. Unlike many international shipping companies that cater only to large volumes, XpressBees supports MSMEs, D2C brands, and large enterprises alike.

How to start shipping internationally with XpressBees

Getting started with international shipping may seem complex, but XpressBees makes it simple, even if it’s your first time. With India’s cross-border e-commerce projected to reach $200 billion by 2030, according to IBEF, there’s never been a better moment to take your business global.

Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of how to begin:

• Step 1: Client onboarding & documentation

Get registered and submit all required export documents for smooth customs and regulatory processing.

•  Step 2: Shipment booking & pickup

Schedule pickups easily and get support on packaging, labelling, and calculating international shipping charges.

•  Step 3: Freight forwarding & international transport

Ship via air or sea through 40+ airports and 12 seaports, with optimized routing to manage international shipping costs from India.

• Step 4: Customs clearance & regulatory compliance

 XpressBees ensures hassle-free customs handling and regulatory compliance throughout the shipping process.

• Step 5: Last-mile delivery in destination country

Enjoy fast, reliable delivery with full international shipping tracking using a single tracking number.

Shipping your products abroad shouldn’t feel like a maze of paperwork, high costs, and constant follow-ups. With global e-commerce growing and international shipping becoming more accessible, the right partner can turn complicated logistics into smooth, reliable growth.

While many international shipping companies promise global delivery, only a few logistics providers offer the complete package—strong customer support, dependable tracking, and seamless coordination.

That’s where XpressBees stands out. Whether you are expanding your business or just starting out, having a trusted partner in international shipping can open doors to new markets and ensure every order arrives on time, every time. Still unsure? Let XpressBees help you take the leap. Get in touch today!