Getting Started With International Shipping

Getting Started With International Shipping

When filling out the international shipping label, provide the sender’s and recipient’s names, addresses and phone numbers. Then, add the description, quantity and value of the commodities in the shipment, along with the weight of the package.

Should I offer international shipping?

If you have products that are in demand outside the country in which you operate, offering international shipping obviously benefits your customers in those countries—as well as your sales volume.

There are many variables to consider, but if the demand exists and you can cover (or charge the customer for) the incremental shipping, handling, and governmental costs, selling internationally can be straightforward to enable with a robust shipping platform. For a detailed discussion of international shipping, please refer to the ShippingEasy eCommerce Seller’s Guide to International Selling & Shipping.

The first rule of international shipping is knowing exactly what you're shipping, particularly when it comes to completing the commercial invoice. Be as specific as possible when completing this important customs form, which is required for all non-document shipments across borders. Here are Shipping Easy’s 5 Tips to Make Sure Your International Shipping Label Format is Perfect to get you started. Step 3: Pick What You Will Ship Where. Now that you have a general idea of the rules, regulations, and taxes that may apply, it’s time to determine what products you are going to push where. Flat rate shipping: If your international shipping is consistent, in both the size/weight of your packaging as well as the cost of shipping (like Merchant B above), it may be worthwhile to consider flat or manual rate shipping. Handling charges. Along with the cost of your packaging and materials, consider adding a handling charge. Get all the information you need to ship to friends, family and more in over 220 countries and territories with FedEx, right here. Or stop by your local FedEx Office or FedEx Ship Center to get started, backed by the expertise of your friendly neighborhood FedEx team members.

Getting started with international shipping companies

Selling internationally: Capabilities to consider

Within your selling environment:

Support for international selling and shipping options:

Getting Started With International Shipping
  • Multi-currency checkout
  • International address
  • International payment gateway
  • Location-based duties and taxes
  • Multiple language capabilities

Shipping Environment:

Support for generating documentation required to move goods from one country to another:

With
  • International shipping labels
  • Customs forms
  • Electronic trade forms
  • Support for auto-populating critical but repetitive details, including:
    • Harmonized code
    • Country of manufacture
    • Content type (commercial, merchandise, gift, etc.)
    • Signature
  • Support for the electronic filing or printing of all required documents

Physical Environment:

  • Ability to print and accurately affix all international documentation to packages and route to the appropriate international carrier

Shipping software helps with international shipping

While international shipping requires extra steps and forms, most shipping solutions can automatically populate and print the required forms with very little set up. In addition, many software providers integrate directly with International Consolidators offering severely discounted rates to minimize the cost of shipping orders overseas.

Getting Started With International Shipping Code

Related Articles & Resources:

Getting Started With International Shipping Tracking

  • View ShippingEasy International features
  • View ShippingEasy International features in list format
  • Request a quote from International Consolidators to save on shipping overseas