Shipping is moving any physical item, small or bulky, from one point to another. Similarly, the process of moving any physical item, small or bulky, from one point to another is the shipping process.
These terms are commonly used when a customer orders something online or something that is located far from the customer’s location – they need to ship it to their place. When you are asking someone to ship a product to your place, the shipping process involves manufacturing and packaging the item before it is handed over to a shipping or logistics provider.
If you go to Wikipedia to find what shipping is, you might get information as if it originally referred specifically to transport by sea. To some extent, it is not wrong, but in American English, the term “shipping” has expanded to air and land.
Going into the specifics, we come across an interesting point that “shipping” is not a singular concept. There are multiple perspectives to it, and if we ought to consider one – we will go for the process of moving any physical item, small or bulky, from one point to another via sea.
The purpose of “shipping” is safe, efficient, and pocket-friendly movement of your products that is delivered on time and in good condition.
Our role in this process is clear. We, Alliance Shipping, are one of the leading shipping companies in Dubai, offering global shipping services to fulfill your shipping needs.
Types of Shipping:
The expanded version of shipping comprises of the following categories:
- Air Shipping – (What is Air Shipping?)
- Road / Land / Ground Shipping – (What is Land Shipping?)
- Rail Shipping – (What is Rail Shipping?)
The key perspective for shipping goes to only one category, i.e.
- Sea / Ocean / Maritime Shipping – (What is Sea Shipping?)
The Purpose of Shipping Explained
The main purpose of shipping lies in the definition of the term, that is, to move products from one place to another in a safe, timely, and cost-effective way. A small item like a phone or a large one like furniture, shipping helps get things where you want them to be, whether across the city or across the world.
Shipping makes it possible for businesses to reach more customers, and for people to receive the things they need, even if they are far away. It also helps connect countries through trade and keeps goods flowing around the world.
For example, you want to buy Swiss chocolates, but how will you get them? There are two methods: either you go to Switzerland and buy them yourself, or you ship chocolates to your place.
So what comes under the purposes of shipping?
- Safe delivery
- Saving time
- Convenience
- Reaching long distances
- Supporting businesses
and more.
The Relationship of Shipping and Successful Businesses
Shipping and successful businesses are directly proportional to each other. It impacts almost every part of the business, from customer satisfaction to overall profits. When done right, shipping can boost a business’s reputation, customer loyalty, and sales. However, inefficient shipping can lead to delays, customer frustration, and lost sales.
How does shipping influence businesses, you wonder?
Think of yourself as a customer, you will expect orders to arrive as quickly as possible, and when there is a delay, it will make you angry, either you will cancel the order, or drop a bad review for the business. This will make a negative impact on the brand.
In another case, companies offering international shipping, low shipping costs, and transparent shipping options are automatically going to catch your eye. And most of the time, when you are importing or exporting physical items, you are usually more patient.
To round it up, quality shipping service paired with global businesses is appreciated by everyone, including you.
Shipping Process Outline (2025)
Now that we understand what shipping is and why it matters, let’s walk through how the shipping process actually works in 2025. The shipping process is usually the same but some factors like depending on what you’re sending, where it’s going, and how it’s getting there, can sometimes alter or hinder the process.
Here’s a simple outline of the shipping process with Alliance Shipping:
- Share your inquiry with us
It all starts when you contact us through WhatsApp, email, or the form on our website. You let us know what you want to ship, where it’s going, and any specific requirements. This could be anything from a few boxes to large equipment or full container loads.
- We will provide the quotation and free consultation
Based on the details you provide, we offer you a tailored shipping quote. We’ll also help you choose the best shipping method, i.e., air, sea, road, or a combination, based on your cargo destination. If needed, we’ll assist with route planning and special instructions.
- We will book the right carriers upon your confirmation
Once you confirm, we will handle the booking with the right carriers. We schedule the pickup or advise you on the nearest drop-off point if you’re delivering the cargo to us.
- We assist in document preparation and arrangement
We prepare and process all required shipping documents. This includes:
- Commercial invoices
- Packing lists
- Bill of Lading / Air Waybill
- Certificates (if needed)
- Customs paperwork for export/import
- Our team either redirects you to customs agents or aids you in customs clearance
Before your shipment leaves or enters a country, it must go through customs. Our team or the agent you are redirected to handles the clearance process, working with customs authorities, paying duties (if required), and ensuring there are no delays due to paperwork.
- Upon delivery, we confirm and close the shipment
When the shipment arrives at the destination port, airport, or hub, we arrange the final leg of delivery. We handle the coordination, so you don’t have to worry about the logistics. Once your cargo is delivered, we confirm the delivery and close the shipment. We also welcome your feedback to improve our service.
That’s the shipping process you’ll go through if you opt for the leading shipping companies such as Alliance Shipping. It might sound like a lot of steps, but when it’s done right, everything runs smoothly and your product reaches where it needs to go, safe and sound.
Your Feedback Matters
Are you now familiar with what is shipping? If you’ve made it this far, we hope you have a clear understanding of how the shipping process works and why it’s so important for individuals, businesses, and global trade.
At Alliance Shipping, our goal is to make shipping simple, reliable, and stress-free for you. Whether you’re sending goods across the city or the world, we’re here to guide you every step of the way.
If you have any questions, need help with a shipment, or just want to learn more, reach out to us anytime through WhatsApp, email, or our website. And if you’ve worked with us before, we’d love to hear your feedback. It helps us serve you better.
Let’s keep your business moving with our shipping services.
