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International shipping for Surabaya businesses opens tremendous opportunities for growth. Whether you’re an established exporter, a growing online store, or just starting to explore international markets, understanding the ins and outs of cross-border shipping can save you time, money, and countless headaches.
This comprehensive guide walks you through everything Surabaya businesses need to know about international shipping, from choosing the right carrier to navigating customs regulations.
Surabaya’s strategic position as Indonesia’s second-largest city and major port makes it an ideal hub for international trade. Surabaya businesses ship internationally for several compelling reasons:
Market Expansion: Reaching customers in Singapore, Malaysia, Japan, the US, and beyond opens up revenue streams that domestic sales alone can’t match.
Business-to-Business Supply Chains: Many Surabaya businesses and manufacturers supply products to international retailers and distributors who require reliable, cost-effective shipping.
E-commerce Growth: With platforms like Shopify, Etsy, and Amazon making it easier than ever to sell globally, even small Surabaya businesses can access international customers.
Sample Shipments: Before committing to large orders, international buyers often request product samples, making express shipping essential for closing deals.
When shipping from Surabaya, you have several carrier options, each with distinct advantages:
FedEx, DHL, and UPS are the primary carriers for international shipments from Indonesia. These global logistics companies offer:
In addition to the major international carriers, several local Indonesian carriers and regional Asian logistics providers offer competitive rates, particularly for shipments within Southeast Asia. These carriers can be especially cost-effective for:
Express Service (3-5 days):
Economy Service (7-14 days):
Understanding pricing helps you budget accurately and quote customers correctly. International shipping costs depend on several factors:
Carriers charge based on whichever is greater: actual weight or dimensional (volumetric) weight.
Dimensional weight formula: (Length × Width × Height in cm) / 5000 = Dimensional weight in kg
For example, a box measuring 40cm × 30cm × 25cm with an actual weight of 3kg:
Pro tip: Using smaller, tighter packaging can significantly reduce your shipping costs.
Rates vary dramatically by destination:
Customs duties and taxes: Paid by the recipient in most cases, but you should inform customers of potential costs
Fuel surcharges: Variable fees added by carriers based on current fuel prices
Remote area fees: Applied to deliveries outside major cities
Insurance: Optional but recommended for valuable shipments (typically 1-3% of declared value)
Customs clearance fees: Some destinations charge for processing shipments through customs
Proper documentation is critical for smooth customs clearance and avoiding delays. Here’s what you need:
This is the most important document for international business shipments. It must include:
Critical: Values must be accurate. Undervaluing goods to reduce duties is illegal and can result in seizure, fines, or criminal charges.
A detailed inventory that helps customs officials verify shipment contents:
Required by many countries to verify where products were manufactured. Indonesia has preferential trade agreements with ASEAN countries and others, which can reduce or eliminate duties with proper COO documentation.
The Indonesian Chamber of Commerce issues COOs for Indonesian-made products.
Depending on your products and destination, you may also need:
Customs clearance is where many shipments face delays. Understanding the process helps you avoid common pitfalls.
When your shipment arrives in the destination country:
Timeline: Most shipments clear customs within 24-48 hours, but complex cases can take longer.
Incorrect HS codes: Using the wrong tariff classification can cause delays and incorrect duty calculations
Incomplete documentation: Missing information requires additional paperwork and extends clearance time
Product restrictions: Every country prohibits or restricts certain items (weapons, certain foods, counterfeit goods, etc.)
Value disputes: If customs suspects undervaluation, they may hold the shipment for investigation
A customs broker handles the complex process of clearing goods through customs on your behalf. We provide customs assistance as part of our service, helping you:
For businesses shipping regularly, having experienced customs support is invaluable.
Understanding what you cannot ship prevents costly mistakes:
Many countries have unique restrictions:
Australia: Strict quarantine laws on food, plant, and animal products
United States: Tight restrictions on agricultural items and requires FDA approval for food/cosmetics
Middle East: Prohibits alcohol, pork products, and certain religious materials
European Union: Complex regulations on electronics, cosmetics, and food products
Japan: Restricts meat, dairy, and fresh produce
Always verify destination-country regulations before shipping. We can help you understand specific requirements for your products and destinations.
Proper packaging protects your products and prevents damage claims:
Protecting your shipments reduces financial risk:
Insurance is recommended for:
Carrier-provided insurance: Basic coverage included, with additional insurance available
Third-party insurance: Sometimes more comprehensive or cost-effective for high-value shipments
Business insurance: Your business insurance policy may cover shipments
If damage or loss occurs:
If you ship internationally regularly, these strategies can reduce costs for Surabaya businesses:
Combine multiple orders into one shipment when possible. Shipping one 10kg package costs less than five 2kg packages.
Businesses with consistent shipping volume can often negotiate better rates with carriers. We work with multiple carriers and can help secure competitive pricing for your business.
Minimize dimensional weight by:
For large volumes to specific regions, zone-skipping (consolidating multiple shipments to one region before final distribution) can dramatically reduce costs.
Avoid peak seasons (Chinese New Year, Christmas) when rates surge and capacity is limited.
For Surabaya businesses, partnering with an experienced local shipping provider offers significant advantages:
Rather than negotiating with each carrier individually, a shipping partner provides access to FedEx, DHL, UPS, and local carriers through one relationship. We compare rates across carriers to find the best option for each shipment.
Understanding Indonesian export regulations, BPOM requirements, and local logistics challenges makes shipping smoother. We handle the complexities while you focus on your business.
We provide guidance on documentation, help calculate duties and taxes, and resolve customs issues quickly. Our experience with various product types and destinations helps avoid delays.
For businesses in Surabaya, we offer convenient pickup services, eliminating the need to travel to carrier offices.
If you have suppliers across Indonesia or customers ordering from multiple Indonesian vendors, we can consolidate shipments at our Surabaya facility, reducing overall shipping costs.
Dedicated support for your shipping needs, including:
Ready to start shipping internationally from Surabaya? Here’s your action plan for Surabaya businesses:
Which countries will you ship to most frequently? Many Surabaya businesses focus on understanding regulations for their top 3-5 destinations first.
Research documentation, restrictions, and import requirements specific to what you sell.
Create templates for commercial invoices and packing lists with your business information pre-filled.
Get quotes for typical shipments to understand your costs. Factor shipping into your pricing strategy.
Before committing to large orders, send samples to verify your process works smoothly.
Working with a Surabaya-based shipping partner simplifies the entire process. We handle carrier relationships, customs documentation, and logistics while you focus on growing your business.
International shipping opens tremendous opportunities for Surabaya businesses, but success requires understanding the complexities of cross-border logistics. From choosing the right carriers and service levels to navigating customs regulations and optimizing packaging, each detail matters for Surabaya businesses competing in global markets.
The good news? You don’t have to figure it all out alone. With the right preparation and an experienced shipping partner, international logistics becomes a competitive advantage rather than an obstacle for Surabaya businesses.
Whether you’re shipping samples to close your first international deal or managing regular shipments to established overseas customers, proper planning and expert support ensure your products arrive safely, on time, and cost-effectively.
Ready to start shipping internationally? Contact Cakra Express for personalized guidance on your business’s shipping needs. We’ll help you navigate documentation, compare carrier options, and ensure smooth delivery to your international customers.
Cakra Express | International Shipping from Surabaya
Website: cakraexpress.com
WhatsApp: +62 838-3102-5300
Email: cakraexp@gmail.com
Office: Jl. Wonorejo Timur Baru (Green Lake E-21), Surabaya
Customer Service: 083831025300
Feedback: 083856524369
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