How your e-commerce business can ship packages international

1. Decide what you’ll ship where and how

First things first—if you’re shipping to multiple countries, avoid a “one-size-fits-all” approach. Your potential shoppers will have different preferences depending on the country they’re in, and your marketing and sales strategy should reflect that.

Some of your products may be better suited for one market than another. Then there are country-specific shopping holidays to consider (Boxing Day sales in UK., Singles’ Day in China, Summer bank holidays here, etc.) All these things will impact your inventory planning. 

The key is to test and optimise your sales approach for each market as you go. In time, your collated customer data will allow you to refine it. 

2. Prepare for extra duties and taxes

Taxes are imposed on imported goods, with the rate decided by the destination country – although some free trade zones do exist around the world. The payment of duties and taxes is typically the responsibility of the receiver – i.e., your customer – although DHL does offer a DTP (duties and taxes paid) option to account holders. This means DHL will invoice the shipper (your business) to cover the cost. The benefit of this is the end customer will not receive an unexpected tax bill when their package arrives at customs – which may damage their opinion of your brand.

If you do decide to pass on the costs to your customers, be sure to be clear about the fees throughout your e-commerce website – “unexpected shipping fees” is one of the leading reasons for cart abandonment during online transactions. Even better, consider absorbing the shipping fees into the cost of your products so you can give your customers a simple, all-in-one price at checkout.   

3. Familiarise yourself with rules and regulations

If you’re shipping cross-border, it’s important to check customs and import regulations for the destination country. If you don’t, you risk your shipments being delayed, and that means late delivery to your customers – a big no in e-commerce.

Each country has its own rules – some stricter than others, with tough penalties for incorrect paperwork. If you’re shipping to several markets, the admin can quickly become very daunting and time consuming. That’s where partnering with an international logistics specialist like DHL will more than pay off. Every day, our dedicated Customs Teams across the world help e-commerce businesses ship to international customers, taking care of all the paperwork for them. Fast, cross-border shipping with minimal hassle for you.

Asia

Product classification and import licensing rules can be extremely comprehensive if you’re shipping to Japan. Food products must clearly indicate their country of origin and potential allergens in Japanese at their point of sale, and electrical appliances and materials will be labelled in accordance with technical standards and requirements.

Some Asian countries may also impose specific taxes and duties. When exporting to Singapore, all shipments will incur a 9% Goods and Services Tax (GST)1 on top of existing duties. 

More: Japan Export Guide

More: Singapore Export Guide

Europe

While the EU offers streamlined trade, individual countries retain specific rules. For example, shipping in Poland requires detailed customs invoices with precise product descriptions and HS codes.

More: Poland Export Guide

North America

Exporting to the U.S. has evolved significantly with the shifting regulations around De Minimis exemptions. With the end of De Minimis, products that used to be eligible for tax-free entry must now pay the appropriate duties and taxes, regardless of their value. 

Consequently, you will have to anticipate more rigorous customs clearance processes and ensure all goods—even low-value items—are accurately declared to avoid compliance issues with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

More: USA Export Guide

4. See if you need a customs form

Customs information is mandatory for almost all international shipments, including those to EU countries. The only exceptions are letters and documents. Accurate and complete customs forms are vital to ensure your packages move smoothly through international borders and reach your customers on time.

• Royal Mail: When shipping internationally with Royal Mail, you will need to complete the customs forms online in advance. 

• Parcelforce Worldwide: Parcelforce Worldwide will require you to complete a physical form at the shipping location. In these cases, ensure you complete the customs form2 legibly and include all the required details.

• Parcels Online: If you're using Parcels Online to purchase international postage, the process is often streamlined. You'll typically fill in all the necessary customs details online during the booking process.

5. Pick the type of packaging

While a standard cardboard box might seem like the go-to solution for shipping, it's not always the best choice for overseas shipping. Consider the nature of your goods and their specific protection needs when selecting packaging materials—especially for sustainable packaging.

• Soft items: For items like clothing and shoes3, separate each piece with paper or plastic before placing them in a sealed flyer bag or box. This helps to prevent damage and maintain the quality of the items during transit. 

• Fragile items: Fragile items, such as electronics4, china, or home appliances, require more robust protection. Box-in-box packaging — packing your product into a smaller box first, then into a larger box with ample cushioning material between the two — is an extra safe option. 

• Temperature-sensitive products: If your products are temperature-sensitive, such as food, medicine, or cosmetics, you'll need specialised temperature-controlled packaging5 to prevent degradation.

DHL Express even offers specialised packaging for sensitive devices like mobile phones and tablets, ensuring optimal protection during international shipping.

Some packing advice you can keep in mind when packing your products:

• Box type: For heavier parcels, double-wall or tri-wall cardboard boxes can withstand the weight and rigours of international shipping.

• Cushioning material: Fill empty spaces with cushioning materials like packing peanuts to prevent the contents from jostling and getting damaged during transit.

• Wrapping and dividers: Wrap loose components separately and use dividers to keep items securely in place within the package. This further reduces movement and potential damage and is especially helpful when shipping musical instruments internationally.

• Taping: Use pressure-sensitive tape and employ H-taping to seal all seams and open edges of the box and reinforce the structural integrity of the package.

• Seasonal packaging: Consider special packaging for holidays and events. For example, Valentine's Day packaging could incorporate red and pink colours, heart-shaped accents, or a ribbon. Thoughtful seasonal touches can enhance the customer experience and make your brand more memorable.

When deciding how to mail your package overseas, you can also consider eco-friendly packaging choices. Using recycled and recyclable materials, minimising packaging waste, and exploring innovative solutions like compostable mailers contribute to a greener approach to e-commerce shipping.

6. Paste the address onto the packaging

Ensure your package reaches its destination by affixing the address label securely to the largest side. 

Remember that international address formats vary from country to country. It's best practice to write the delivery address in English and in the standardised language of the delivery country. 

Standard format for the sender address:

• Your full name or company name

• Apartment or suite number (if applicable)

• Full street address

• City, State, and ZIP/Postal Code

• Country

Generally, please include the following in the Delivery Address:

• Recipient's full name or company name

• Full street address

• City, Subdivision (like province, state, county), and Postal Code

• Country

7. Weigh your package

Before sending a package internationally, it's essential to weigh it accurately. Your shipment postage is calculated based on the parcel's weight, and exceeding international weight restrictions can lead to delays or even rejection of your package. 

Weigh your parcel before you head to the post office to ensure it meets the requirements of your chosen shipping service and destination country.

8. Ship your package

When sending your package internationally, factors like delivery speed, insurance coverage, and tracking options will help determine the service that best suits your needs and budget. 

Before shipping your package, give your parcel a once-over and ensure the following:

• Destination regulations: Check if you can post the item to the country you're sending it to. Some countries have restrictions on certain goods.

• Secure packaging: Pick suitable packaging and pack the item safely to prevent damage during transit.

• Accurate addressing: Address your mail correctly and add customs forms to the outside of the parcel if required.

• Correct postage: Weigh your item and choose the right postage option based on its weight, destination, and desired delivery speed.

Tips for international shipping for e-commerce businesses

Consider your market

The world’s a big place, and you should be focusing your time and energy on the markets where demand for your product (or service) is greatest. Targeting high-potential regions ensures it is financially justifiable for your business to expand in international markets.

• Analyse traffic data: Google Analytics can help you identify how much international traffic your e-commerce business already has. The service tracks and reports traffic across online devices and platforms, helping you to understand your customers’ buying journey against metrics such as unique visitors to your website and engagement rate. Crucially, you can then pair these metrics with specific dimensions – such as location, allowing you to see which international markets hold the most potential for your business.

• Evaluate Market Demand: Research which countries have the highest demand for your product and identify potential gaps your business could fill. You should also be researching consumers’ spending habits, buying motivations, and possible barriers to shipping there. All of this will help you build a detailed profile of the market and determine the size of the opportunity.
• Monitor Competitor Activity: Research where your competitors are selling to – after all, if they’re shipping abroad to a certain market, it must be because there’s enough business there to make it worthwhile.

Update your e-commerce website

There’s no better time to polish your e-commerce website than when planning how to expand in international markets. Remember these key features:

• Localise Your Content: Translate your website into the local language for all markets you’re targeting.

• Integrate International Payment Gateways: Did you know that online shoppers are 70% more likely6 to finalise a purchase if their preferred payment method is displayed as an option at checkout? Research the most popular payment methods at your target market and offer them at checkout. Be sure to display prices and allow payment in the local currency, too.

• Leverage Online Marketplaces: A good strategy when shipping to a country for the first time is to set up your business on an online marketplace like Amazon first. You can start small and measure demand for your products before investing heavily in a localised, independent website.

• Optimise with a Health Check: take DHL’s website health check. This quick questionnaire will help you identify weak spots in your business’ international e-commerce strategy. It could be the smallest thing that makes all the difference!

   

Ship internationally with DHL

Expanding your e-commerce business into the global market requires careful planning and execution. Every step plays a crucial role in successful international shipping, from understanding customs regulations and packaging options to correctly formatting your addresses and selecting a reliable shipping service.

While you’re busy on the business side of things, entrust your shipping to DHL. With a presence in 220 countries and territories, it’s fair to say we’re international experts. We have extensive experience helping B2C businesses of all sizes identify and reach new markets. Open a Business Account and we’ll get started – the world is waiting!