Shipping FAQ

Shipping & Delivery for Custom-Manufactured Parts

SPI arranges international delivery of custom-manufactured parts by courier, air freight, or sea freight according to shipment size, destination, delivery requirements, and the agreed order terms.

This FAQ explains how shipping methods are selected, how delivery responsibilities are defined, which customs and shipment documents may be prepared, and what tracking or dispatch information you can expect once an order is ready to leave our facility.

  • Courier / Air / Sea
  • Customs Documents
  • Tracking & Dispatch
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Custom manufactured precision parts prepared for international shipment from SPI
Custom-manufactured precision parts prepared for international shipment.
Shipping scope: this page covers how finished parts move from SPI to the customer. For foam, VCI, cartons, crates, and other product-protection methods, see the Packaging FAQ .
Shipping Method Selection

How We Select a Shipping Method for Custom Parts

Once an order is ready for dispatch, the shipping method should be selected from the actual shipment profile rather than from one fixed rule. Courier, air freight, and sea freight each fit different combinations of shipment size, urgency, destination, handling requirements, and agreed delivery terms.

Shipping Method Typical Project Fit What We Check Before Dispatch
Express Courier DHL / FedEx / UPS Prototypes, samples, urgent replacement parts, and smaller production shipments where direct parcel tracking and a straightforward handoff are important. Package dimensions, chargeable weight, destination coverage, customs requirements, delivery priority, and current carrier availability.
Air Freight Larger time-sensitive shipments Larger or heavier shipments that still require relatively fast international movement but may not fit the handling or commercial profile of parcel courier service. Airport routing, chargeable weight, shipment dimensions, consolidation requirements, destination handling, and customs clearance arrangements.
Sea Freight Heavy / bulky / non-urgent shipments Large, heavy, palletized, or non-urgent production shipments where freight efficiency has greater priority than shipment speed. Shipment volume, port routing, pallet or crate requirements, destination charges, customs handling, and agreed delivery responsibilities.

Shipping cost and transit time are shipment-specific. Carrier, freight mode, route, chargeable weight, destination, and booking conditions are reviewed against the actual shipment before dispatch rather than presented as permanent freight rates.

Delivery Responsibility

How Incoterms Define Shipping Responsibility

The shipping method determines how the goods move; the agreed Incoterm determines which party arranges and pays for each part of that movement. For SPI orders, the applicable term should be confirmed in the quotation or purchase order before shipment is arranged.

Term Practical Responsibility What the Buyer Should Confirm
EXW The buyer takes primary responsibility for arranging the onward transport from the agreed pickup point. Forwarder details, pickup coordination, export or destination requirements, and who provides the required shipping instructions.
FCA SPI delivers the shipment to the agreed carrier or named handover point, after which the buyer's nominated logistics route continues. Named place, carrier contact, handover timing, shipment details, and the documents required by the nominated forwarder.
DAP SPI arranges transportation to the agreed destination, while destination import formalities and related obligations remain subject to the agreed order terms. Delivery address, consignee information, import requirements, destination handling, and any special delivery restrictions.
DDP SPI coordinates a broader delivery scope to the agreed destination when this arrangement is specifically confirmed for the order. Destination eligibility, importer requirements, duties and taxes handling, consignee details, and any local restrictions before the shipment is booked.

Do not choose an Incoterm from the freight method alone. The correct term depends on the commercial agreement, destination, importer responsibilities, and the logistics arrangement for that order. This FAQ therefore gives only the practical shipping boundary rather than replacing the full Incoterms guide.

Customs & Shipment Documents

What Shipping Documents Are Prepared Before Dispatch?

International shipments normally require a document set that identifies the goods, shipment value, package details, consignee, and transport route. The exact documents depend on the destination, shipping method, Incoterm, and any customer or customs requirements agreed before dispatch.

01

Commercial Invoice

Used to describe the shipped goods and commercial transaction details required for customs and transport processing.

02

Packing List

Summarizes package count, contents, weights, dimensions, and other shipment details needed for logistics handling and receiving.

03

Carrier & Route Documents

Courier, air, or sea shipments may use carrier-specific transport documents such as tracking records, air waybill information, or bill-of-lading details as applicable.

Destination-specific requirements should be confirmed before booking. Additional documents or declarations may be requested depending on the destination, product description, shipment value, importer requirements, or transport arrangement. These should be identified during the order and shipping handoff rather than assumed after the goods are already packed.

Buyer Should Confirm

  • Consignee and delivery address
  • Importer or broker instructions
  • Required document wording
  • Special destination requirements
Tracking & Shipment Handoff

What Information Do You Receive When Your Shipment Leaves SPI?

A clear shipment handoff helps the buyer verify that an order has left the factory, identify the transport reference, and prepare for receiving or customs follow-up. The exact information depends on the carrier, freight mode, destination, and agreed shipping arrangement.

Packed precision parts prepared for shipment handoff and tracking confirmation
Packed custom-manufactured parts prepared for dispatch and shipment handoff.

Dispatch Confirmation

Confirmation that the shipment has been handed over or booked for collection, together with the relevant shipment reference when available.

Tracking or Transport Reference

Courier tracking, air waybill information, or bill-of-lading details may be shared according to the transport mode and carrier.

Shipment & Package Evidence

Package count, weight or dimension information, and shipment photos can be provided where required or agreed for the project.

Exception Communication

If a booking, customs, routing, or delivery issue affects the planned handoff, the relevant shipment information should be updated rather than leaving the buyer to rely only on the original estimate.

Need a specific shipping handoff format? If your receiving team requires shipment photos, package data, broker instructions, or a specific dispatch notification, confirm the requirement before the shipment is booked.

Confirm Shipping Requirements
Delivery Risk & Special Handling

What Can Affect a Shipment After Dispatch Planning?

International delivery can be affected by customs review, carrier or route changes, consignee information, local delivery restrictions, or special handling requirements. These risks should be identified before booking so the shipping plan can be adjusted while the order is still under control.

Risk Area What May Change What Should Be Confirmed
Customs Review Clearance timing may change if customs requests additional information, document clarification, or inspection. Importer details, broker instructions, product description, and any destination-specific document requirements.
Carrier or Route Change The planned carrier, flight, sailing, or delivery route may need adjustment when capacity or routing conditions change. Delivery priority, acceptable alternatives, and whether the buyer must approve a route change before rebooking.
Delivery Restrictions Incorrect consignee details, limited receiving hours, remote locations, or broker requirements can delay final delivery. Contact person, delivery address, receiving window, importer details, and local delivery instructions.
Special Handling Heavy, sensitive, oversized, or specially protected shipments may need different handling or logistics preparation. Any handling, labeling, orientation, pallet, crate, or receiving requirement that must be known before shipment preparation.

Shipping and packaging have different responsibilities. This page covers transport and delivery risk. Detailed protection methods, including foam, VCI, cartons, pallets, or crates, belong in the Packaging FAQ. If a special delivery requirement affects both areas, confirm it before dispatch.

Shipping FAQ

Common Questions About Shipping Custom Parts

The answers below summarize the shipping decisions buyers most often need before an order is dispatched. Final arrangements should always follow the destination, shipment profile, agreed Incoterm, and confirmed order terms.

Which shipping methods can be used for custom parts?

Depending on shipment size, urgency, destination, and handling requirements, custom parts may be shipped by express courier, air freight, or sea freight. The final method is selected from the actual shipment conditions rather than one fixed rule.

How is the shipping method selected?

The decision considers package size, chargeable weight, delivery priority, route availability, customs requirements, and the agreed commercial terms. Cost and transit time are therefore confirmed for the specific shipment.

Who is responsible for freight, customs, and duties?

Responsibility depends on the Incoterm agreed for the order. The term should be confirmed in the quotation or purchase order so both parties understand the transport, customs, and delivery responsibilities before shipment is arranged.

What documents may be provided with an international shipment?

Common shipment documents include a commercial invoice, packing list, and carrier or transport references. Additional documentation may be required depending on the destination, product description, importer, or agreed shipping arrangement.

Will I receive tracking or dispatch information?

Tracking, air waybill, bill-of-lading, package data, or shipment confirmation may be shared as applicable to the selected transport mode and project requirements.

What happens if customs or routing causes a delay?

Customs review, carrier capacity, route changes, or destination restrictions can affect delivery planning. When an issue changes the expected handoff, the relevant shipment information should be reviewed and updated against the available alternatives.

Need to Confirm a Shipping Requirement Before Order Release?

Share the destination, delivery requirement, preferred Incoterm, and any special receiving or documentation instructions before shipment planning. This helps keep the order, packaging, logistics, and receiving requirements aligned before dispatch.

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