A Guide to International Shipping for eCommerce

 Shipping for eCommerce: Ready to take your online store global? This guide will walk you through the steps of creating and executing a winning international shipping strategy. Discover how to reach customers worldwide and increase your sales with smart, cost-effective shipping solutions.

Scaling your eCommerce business often requires expanding your reach to new markets, and one effective way to do so is by offering international shipping. While the process of shipping internationally can seem overwhelming at first, third-party platforms like Easyship simplify the entire process, allowing you to easily send products to customers around the world.

Easyship offers a global fulfillment network, providing a seamless experience for both fulfillment and warehousing. This allows you to streamline your international shipping, saving you time and money while providing your customers with the best service possible.

When it comes to international shipping, it's all about the details: choosing the right packaging, selecting the most cost-effective courier, and leveraging the right tools to optimize your shipping process. By making these smart choices, you can reduce costs without compromising on service or efficiency.

In this article, we’ll walk you through the basics of international shipping, how to optimize your store for overseas orders and share tips on how to save money while delivering a top-notch experience to your global customers. Whether you’re a new business or an established brand, expanding your shipping to international markets can help your business grow and succeed on a global scale.

Women Taking Notes for Shipping Overseas

How to get started

Some people who do not deal with international shipping claim that rules are meant to be broken. Rules are supposed to be established and then rigorously adhered to in the realm of eCommerce.

That’s why the first step in getting started shipping is to map out your strategy. Shipping is marketing, after all.

The Shipping Policy

Creating a clear and detailed shipping policy is essential for setting expectations and ensuring a smooth experience for your customers. Here’s what you should include in your shipping policy:

1. Courier Options
   Be clear about the shipping carriers your business uses. Whether it's major companies like FedEx, UPS, DHL, or regional couriers, make sure your customers know what to expect.
2. Service Types
   Specify the types of shipping services you offer, such as:
   • Same-day shipping
   • Overnight shipping
   • Standard shipping
   • International shipping
     Customers should understand the options available to them based on their needs.
3. Cost
   Make sure to explain shipping costs upfront. If you offer:
   • Free shipping; highlight this as it can be a major selling point.
   • Flat-rate shipping; mention the fixed cost for all orders.
   • Bespoke rates, clarify that costs are determined based on the customer’s location, and provide a clear breakdown.
4. Handling Times
   Be transparent about your order processing times. Let customers know how many days it typically takes to pack and ship an item before it leaves your warehouse.
5. Delivery Timeframes
   No one likes waiting in uncertainty. Provide an estimated delivery timeframe so customers can plan accordingly and avoid frustration.
6. Restrictions
   List any places or areas you cannot deliver to. Be clear about:
   • Extended international shipping timeframes
   • Additional costs for special items like hazardous goods (batteries, liquids, etc.)
7. Returns & Refunds
   Including a returns and refunds policy is just as important as your shipping policy. Provide clear instructions on how returns are handled, whether the customer pays for return shipping, and any conditions they must meet for a return.

Marketing Your Shipping Policy

Remember, your shipping policy isn’t just a set of rules—it’s an important marketing tool. A well-written policy can help build trust and improve the customer experience. Customers are more likely to buy from a business that is transparent about its shipping and handling practices.

If you’re unsure where to start, consider using a shipping policy generator. These tools can help you create a straightforward and professional shipping policy tailored to your eCommerce store in just minutes.

Taxes and Duties

Even if you're already experienced with domestic shipping, international shipping can still throw you off track when it comes to taxes and duties. Don’t worry.

Taxes and duties increase the cost of imported goods for consumers. Governments impose these taxes to regulate the flow of goods coming into and out of their country.

Each country has a specific tax threshold, which determines when taxes will apply. Not every international shipment will incur taxes and duties, so it’s a good idea to research ahead of time. You’re probably already familiar with sales taxes, which are levied by governments on income, goods, and services. Duties, however, are taxes imposed by the government on goods and financial transactions when they cross international borders.

Restrictions and Dangerous Goods

Dangerous goods are not what we commonly consider to be "dangerous" in the context of international trade and logistics. Needles, chemicals, and firearms are undoubtedly relevant, but the list is broader and not always clear-cut.

Like lithium-ion batteries, which are frequently found in laptops, liquids are regarded as dangerous goods. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) regulates dangerous goods, and this generally also applies to freight transportation.

Here are six procedures to adhere to when shipping dangerous goods, or DGs as they are known in the industry.

• Identify the good. Depending on their classification, different goods are subject to different restrictions; as a result, different items require different workarounds and solutions.
• Determine if it can or cannot fly. IATA does not allow the flight of many dangerous goods. When shipping goods, make sure you are abiding by the law and do your homework.
• Pack carefully. These products are generally safe, but they pose a risk to travelers. Generally speaking, each courier permits a maximum of 100 milliliters of liquid and two batteries per shipment, though their regulations vary based on the quantity of each good. To be sure, it is always best to get in touch with a courier.
• Split your shipment. You can get around annoying thresholds by sending several shipments as "normal goods," but it is not risk-free. It may be cheaper than one dangerous goods shipment.
• Be prepared to pay extra. Due to the additional risks associated with handling and processing dangerous goods, couriers charge premium rates plus an additional fee. It comes with the territory. Have your documents ready. Make sure that all hazardous materials are listed under "Item Description" on both your commercial invoice and air waybill when shipping them. Additionally, you will need to include a 24-hour phone number on your shipper's declarations and fill out an expanded international air waybill, as required by most couriers. Any errors could lead to delays at customs.

Easyship International Shipping Rate Calculator

Set Up Shop for Shipping

Even if your store is already operating domestically, international shipping is just a more complex matter.

Choose couriers wisely
Working with several couriers is the best way to prevent shipping costs from going over budget. There is a widespread misperception that USPS is the best courier service overall. That’s not quite true.

Offering the greatest service to customers when shipping overseas entails collaborating with a variety of couriers. There is not a single solution that works for everyone, particularly when shipping across international borders. When dealing with couriers, bear the following three points in mind.

• Pricing: postal couriers are more cost-effective, while express couriers are pricier but provide better service.
• Delivery times: Many customers want fast delivery options, but some are willing to wait. Compromise by offering multiple solutions with different delivery times to appeal to everyone.
• Tracking: Good tracking is key in a courier. This cuts down on customer service requests and decreases the chances that your shipment will get lost.

You can compare couriers, pricing, delivery times, and tracking quality with Easyship's shipping rates calculator.

Share Dynamic Rates at Checkout

Delight your customers with clarity. Offering dynamic rates at checkout ensures the full landed cost is clear, eliminating any surprises. After all, no one likes unexpected fees. Research shows that 25% of customers abandon their cart because of hidden shipping costs at checkout.

Static shipping rates can be misleading and vague. They don’t account for taxes, duties, or the chosen courier. Whenever possible, dynamic rates should be your go-to. These rates enhance both the shipping and shopping experience by providing real-time, location-based estimates, including taxes, duties, and handling fees. This transparency leads to higher conversions and fewer abandoned carts.

DDP v DDU

Don’t be frightened by the abbreviations. We’ll take the duties simply by putting them in the simplest terms possible.

• DDU (delivery duty unpaid): Puts the responsibility on customers to pay taxes and duties. Parcels will be held in customs until payments are made.
• DDP (delivery duty paid): The business pays the duties upfront, allowing a smoother shipping process.
  It’s quite simple once you know the basics. Easyship also offers an easy-to-use rules feature that allows businesses to set a condition that automatically pre-selects DDP or DDU (it’s up to you!) for international shipping.

Documents and Declarations

Yes, it's true—international shipping requires additional paperwork. And it's not just for shipping those tricky dangerous goods (DGs). Often, it’s simply necessary to clear customs.

But don’t worry! You don’t have to handle all the research yourself. Third-party partners and apps are here to simplify international shipping—even when it comes to the tedious paperwork. With platforms like Easyship, you can generate all the required shipping documents you need to send your packages overseas, hassle-free.

Tracking

Using the postal service instead of an expedited courier can often result in lower shipping costs. At first glance, this might seem like a good idea, but if it takes away from the tracking services that are provided, it could negatively impact your relationship with customers.

An easy-to-use tracking system is an essential feature of any shipping solution to foster trust and maintain efficiency, particularly when dealing with international clients. Because it enables customers to monitor a package in case it gets lost in transit or, worse, gets stuck at customs, tracking is particularly crucial when shipping internationally.

Woman Organizing Boxes for International Shipping

How to Save on Shipping for eCommerce

Packaging

Keep in mind that the way you package your product can have a significant impact on your revenue. Packing peanuts may seem like a good way to protect your valuables, but they are making your package heavier and costing you a lot of money! The experts at CustPrints advise using custom inserts instead, which are more cost-effective and environmentally friendly. Small adjustments to your packaging can have a significant impact on your overall cost, branding, and environmental impact.

Postal couriers

The postal service is likely the least expensive option available, even though it might not be the one that can accomplish everything your brand needs and desires.

In life, however, we must occasionally make concessions. A regional courier might be the best option for you if your needs call for the speed of an express courier at the cost of a postal service. Regional couriers are quick and extremely focused on particular areas, which helps you save money on shipping. That is referred to as "meeting in the middle."

Flat-Rate Shipping

Another popular method of cutting costs is flat-rate shipping. Easyship's Flat Export Rate allows retailers to save money while maintaining an unparalleled level of brand control, even though dynamic rates at checkout are the most transparent option available.

Consider the service as a combination of several shipping options discounted according to the weight of your package. Flat Export Rates. For packages up to $400, the service offers both label creation and reduced international shipping costs.

The best part of Easyship's flat rates is probably that brands can use their packaging. Here are not any unsightly courier boxes. Alternatively, you can use your own branded packaging materials to improve the experience after the purchase.

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The distinction between a managed and an unmanaged customer experience is made by implementing the aforementioned measures to improve consumer delivery expectations for holiday shipping. Most significantly, you will avoid December 26 deliveries and unexpected fees by prioritizing transparency. Don’t forget that Easyship can help! Get in touch with our customer service team and create a free account right now to take advantage of our 250+ shipping options and worldwide fulfillment network!