International Shipping Health Check: What to Look For [SAMOS e-commerce LTD](/)Open main menu Search Services Pricing Resources Blog [ Login ](https://connect.samos-e.com/login) ![](https://fls-a23386ec-a833-4d54-8bab-79a51619651d.laravel.cloud/368/conversions/Main-Graphic-16-main.jpg) International Shipping Health Check: What to Look For ===================================================== Is your international shipping costing more than it should? Our practical guide to carrying out a shipping health check looks at the key areas ecommerce businesses should review, from shipping costs, customs and HS codes to carrier performance, delivery delays and returns. ![Picture of Simon Perkins](https://fls-a23386ec-a833-4d54-8bab-79a51619651d.laravel.cloud/129/conversions/TBA41DHHU-UB8G6TW2C-a6e01c7f48ad-512-main.jpg) Simon Perkins Commercial Director at SAMOS - [How to Carry Out an International Shipping Health Check](#content-how-to-carry-out-an-international-shipping-health-check) - [Are your logistics operations costing you sales?](#content-are-your-logistics-operations-costing-you-sales) - [Go granular when the broad view isn't enough](#content-go-granular-when-the-broad-view-isnt-enough) - [Check your customs processes and documentation](#content-check-your-customs-processes-and-documentation) - [Look for bottlenecks before they become problems](#content-look-for-bottlenecks-before-they-become-problems) - [Don't overlook returns](#content-dont-overlook-returns) - [Ready to give your international shipping a health check?](#content-ready-to-give-your-international-shipping-a-health-check) - [FAQs on International shipping health checks](#content-faqs-on-international-shipping-health-checks) 9th September 2026 Share this article - [Share on Facebook]() - [Share on WhatsApp]() - [Share on LinkedIn]() - Copy Link [\#](#content-how-to-carry-out-an-international-shipping-health-check "Permalink")How to Carry Out an International Shipping Health Check ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- When was the last time you really looked under the bonnet of your international shipping operation? When it comes to business operations, health checks can sometimes feel like a nice-to-have. Something to get around to when there’s more time. But the reality is that a good **international shipping health check** can uncover everything from small inefficiencies to significant opportunities to save money. Supply chain inefficiencies, customs errors and unnecessary shipping costs can quietly eat into your margins. And the impact isn’t just financial. Delays, compliance issues and poor delivery experiences can affect customer satisfaction, your reputation and, in some cases, even lead to penalties. The thing is, logistics is rarely static. Carrier rates change. Regulations change. Your markets change. And small errors that seem insignificant on their own can add up over time. That’s why, here at [**SAMOS**](https://samos-e.com), we think shipping health checks should be a priority, not something that gets pushed further down the to-do list. And there’s another good reason to do one: quieter trading periods are the perfect time to find and fix problems before things get busy. So, where should you start? [\#](#content-are-your-logistics-operations-costing-you-sales "Permalink")Are your logistics operations costing you sales? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Before looking at the detail, take a step back and look at what your customers are telling you. High cart abandonment, frequent stockouts and late deliveries can all be signs that something isn’t working as it should. Maybe delivery costs are too high. Perhaps delivery times are too slow. Maybe there are frequent picking or fulfilment errors. Whatever the cause, customers have plenty of alternatives. If shipping becomes too expensive, too slow or too unreliable, they may simply abandon their purchase — and they may think twice about coming back. Your sales data, delivery performance and customer feedback can tell you a lot. Use them to identify where customers are experiencing friction, then work backwards to understand why. [\#](#content-go-granular-when-the-broad-view-isnt-enough "Permalink")Go granular when the broad view isn't enough ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ It’s tempting to look at your international shipping operation as one big picture and make decisions based on overall performance. But if you’re shipping internationally, **one country’s problems may look very different from another’s**. For example, the reasons behind customs delays in the US might be completely different from those affecting shipments into Germany. That’s why it’s worth looking at your shipping performance at destination level. Compare delivery times, shipping costs, customs delays, failed deliveries, returns and customer complaints by market. You may find that the problem isn’t your entire operation, it could be one particular destination, carrier, product or process. And that’s good news. **Finding a specific problem is much easier to fix than trying to overhaul everything.** [\#](#content-check-your-customs-processes-and-documentation "Permalink")Check your customs processes and documentation ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Customs is an obvious place to look for hidden costs and avoidable delays. Something as simple as an incorrect [**HS Code**](https://samos-e.com/resources/what-is-an-hs-code) can have a surprisingly big impact. Misclassification can result in the wrong duties being charged, while incomplete or inaccurate documentation can cause shipments to be held at the border. And those delays can have a knock-on effect. A shipment held in customs can disrupt inventory planning, warehouse operations and, ultimately, the customer experience. During your health check, review your product classification, descriptions, declared values, [**country of origin**](https://samos-e.com/resources/what-is-meant-by-country-of-origin) information and supporting customs documentation. **SAMOS SmartParcel** can help you check all this in one easy place. Look for recurring errors and ask yourself: where are we paying more or waiting longer than we should? [\#](#content-look-for-bottlenecks-before-they-become-problems "Permalink")Look for bottlenecks before they become problems --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- A shipping health check is also a good opportunity to look at your carriers, freight forwarders and other logistics partners. Are delivery times where you expect them to be? Are there particular routes or destinations where performance is slipping? And importantly, are you still getting the service you need? Sometimes choosing the cheapest is rate isn’t always the best option, and [**flexibility**](https://samos-e.com/blog/e-commerce/why-flexible-logistics-matters-for-e-commerce-samos) can be a smarter way to support international growth. Whatever your current goals, it’s much easier to address these things when you’re not in the middle of peak season. [\#](#content-dont-overlook-returns "Permalink")Don't overlook returns ---------------------------------------------------------------------- We get it. Returns cost money, so reviewing your returns process might not feel like the most urgent use of your time. But here’s the thing: **returns can influence whether a customer buys from you in the first place**. Customers want to know that if something isn’t right, returning it will be straightforward. That means returns shouldn’t just be thought of as a post-sale process. They’re part of the overall customer experience, and that makes them just as worthy of a health check as the rest of your shipping operation. Look at [**returns**](https://samos-e.com/services/parcel-returns) by market, the cost of returns, processing times and where customers are experiencing friction. You might find an opportunity to improve the experience while reducing unnecessary costs at the same time. [\#](#content-ready-to-give-your-international-shipping-a-health-check "Permalink")Ready to give your international shipping a health check? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Taking a step back and reviewing your logistics operation can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re managing multiple markets, carriers, regulations and customer expectations. You don’t have to tackle it all at once. Start with the areas where the data is telling you there’s a problem. Look at performance by destination. Check your customs processes. Review your carrier performance. And don’t forget the customer experience. As international shipping experts for the e-commerce sector, [**SAMOS**](https://samos-e.com) understands the complexities of cross-border logistics, from customs requirements and regulations to carrier performance and the opportunities to reduce costs. If you’d like a fresh pair of eyes on your international shipping processes, [**get in touch**](https://samos-e.com/contact-us) for a free health check. We’ll help you identify potential savings, uncover areas for improvement and give you a clearer picture of where your shipping operation could work harder for your business. [\#](#content-faqs-on-international-shipping-health-checks "Permalink")FAQs on International shipping health checks ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- **1. What is an international shipping health check?** An international shipping health check is a review of your cross-border shipping operation to identify unnecessary costs, inefficiencies, delays and compliance risks. It can cover everything from carrier performance and shipping rates to customs documentation, HS codes, duties and taxes, delivery times and returns. **2. Why should ecommerce businesses carry out a shipping health check?** International shipping costs and processes can change over time, while small errors can quickly add up. A health check can help identify opportunities to reduce costs, improve delivery performance, avoid customs issues and create a better customer experience. **3. What should I check when reviewing my international shipping?** Start by looking at shipping costs, delivery performance and carrier SLAs across your key markets. Then review your customs processes, including HS codes, product descriptions, declared values and country-of-origin information. It’s also worth looking at failed deliveries, customer complaints and returns. Accurate customs data is particularly important because commodity/HS codes are used to classify goods and help determine applicable duties and taxes. **4. How can incorrect HS codes affect international shipping?** Incorrect HS codes can result in the wrong duties being calculated, customs delays and additional costs. They can also create compliance issues. Reviewing your product classifications regularly is therefore an important part of maintaining a healthy international shipping operation. **5. How can I reduce international shipping costs?** Start by identifying where your money is going. Compare carrier rates and performance by destination, look for recurring customs or documentation issues, review your shipping services and check the cost of returns. A detailed, country-by-country review can often reveal specific areas where savings are possible rather than requiring changes across your entire operation. **6. How often should an ecommerce business carry out an international shipping health check?** There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, but reviewing your international shipping operation at least once a year is a good starting point. It’s also worth carrying out a health check when you enter a new market, change carriers, experience significant growth or notice changes in shipping costs, delivery performance or customs delays. ![Picture of Simon Perkins](https://fls-a23386ec-a833-4d54-8bab-79a51619651d.laravel.cloud/129/conversions/TBA41DHHU-UB8G6TW2C-a6e01c7f48ad-512-main.jpg) Simon Perkins Commercial Director at SAMOS - [How to Carry Out an International Shipping Health Check](#content-how-to-carry-out-an-international-shipping-health-check) - [Are your logistics operations costing you sales?](#content-are-your-logistics-operations-costing-you-sales) - [Go granular when the broad view isn't enough](#content-go-granular-when-the-broad-view-isnt-enough) - [Check your customs processes and documentation](#content-check-your-customs-processes-and-documentation) - [Look for bottlenecks before they become problems](#content-look-for-bottlenecks-before-they-become-problems) - [Don't overlook returns](#content-dont-overlook-returns) - [Ready to give your international shipping a health check?](#content-ready-to-give-your-international-shipping-a-health-check) - [FAQs on International shipping health checks](#content-faqs-on-international-shipping-health-checks) 9th September 2026 Share this article - [Share on Facebook]() - [Share on WhatsApp]() - [Share on LinkedIn]() - Copy Link Who is SAMOS? ------------- SAMOS is parcel logistics company based in London, specialising in creating and engineering customer-focussed e-commerce parcel delivery and returns solutions. [Find out more about SAMOS ](/about-samos) What our customers are saying ------------------------------ SAMOS customers had difficulties shipping into the EU and beyond - until they found SAMOS. [Read more about our customers ](/customer-stories) How to contact SAMOS -------------------- Need more help or do you have any questions for us? Talk to us Why not try shipping with SAMOS? -------------------------------- Request a demo to learn more about how SAMOS can help you ship directly to your customers. [Request a demo ](/request-a-demo) Join our newsletter ------------------- Get the latest e-commerce shipping news and tips straight to your inbox. Sign up ### Related Articles [![Why Flexible Logistics Matters for E-Commerce | SAMOS](https://fls-a23386ec-a833-4d54-8bab-79a51619651d.laravel.cloud/365/conversions/Thumbnail--Graphic-13-main.jpg)](/blog/e-commerce/why-flexible-logistics-matters-for-e-commerce-samos)18th August 2026[E-commerce](/blog/e-commerce) ### [ Why Flexible Logistics Matters for E-Commerce | SAMOS](/blog/e-commerce/why-flexible-logistics-matters-for-e-commerce-samos) Global shipping doesn’t always go to plan. From changing trade policies and carrier disruption to shifting customer demand, growing e-commerce brands need logistics that can keep up. 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Learn why summer is the ideal time to begin ecommerce supply chain planning, from forecasting demand and positioning inventory to securing shipping capacity and preparing your logistics for a smoother, more successful Q4. ![Picture of Simon Perkins](https://fls-a23386ec-a833-4d54-8bab-79a51619651d.laravel.cloud/129/conversions/TBA41DHHU-UB8G6TW2C-a6e01c7f48ad-512-main.jpg) Simon Perkins Commercial Director at SAMOS Footer ------ ### Services - [Parcel Delivery ](/services/parcel-delivery) - [Parcel Returns ](/services/parcel-returns) - [All Integrations ](/services/integrations) - [Parcel Tracking ](/services/parcel-tracking) - [Shipping to the EU](/services/parcel-delivery/europe) - [Shipping fragrances & cosmetics to the EU](/blog/eu-shipping/problems-shipping-cosmetics-and-fragrances-across-the-eu-your-solution) - [Learn about IOSS for EU Shipping ](/blog/ioss) ### Integrations - [Shopify](/services/integrations/shopify) - [Shipstation](/services/integrations/shipstation) - [Linnworks](/services/integrations/linnworks) - [Mintsoft](/services/integrations/mintsoft) - [WooCommerce](/services/integrations/woocommerce) - [Shiptheory](/services/integrations/shiptheory) - [Despatch Cloud](/services/integrations/despatch-cloud) - [Magento](/services/integrations/magento) - [Pimento](/services/integrations/pimento) ### Company - [About SAMOS ](/about-samos) - [Customer Stories ](/customer-stories) - [Shipping Rates ](/pricing/samos-shipping-rates) - [Return Rates ](/pricing/samos-return-rates) - [Request a Demo ](/request-a-demo) - [Sustainability ](/resources/sustainability) - [Resources ](/resources) - [Contact Us ](/contact-us) ### Terms & Conditions - [Website T&Cs ](/website-terms-and-conditions) - [Privacy & Cookies ](/privacy-and-cookie-policy) - [Shipping T&Cs ](/shipping-terms-and-conditions) ### Subscribe to our newsletter The latest e-commerce shipping news and tips, sent to your inbox. 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