I Thought I Became a Pro… Until One Shipment Taught Me Again
There is a strange phase in business where you feel confident. You’ve handled operations for years. You’ve managed customers, shipping, marketing, pricing, customization, exports. You tell yourself, “Now I know how this works.” And then one shipment arrives with a lesson that humbles you again. Recently, I handled a high-value international customized order. Everything was done professionally — invoice, export documentation, tracking, buyer communication about customs duties. The parcel reached its destination country. And then suddenly — clearance delay. Customs required additional documentation from the recipient. The buyer went silent. The shipment was marked for return. Within hours, multiple calls started coming for KYC, re-import clearance, documentation. Ten calls. Different people. Urgency. Pressure. For a few moment...
