International Shipping for E-commerce Platforms - Magento, Shopify and WooCommerce

April 2021

Nikolay Pasholok

Product Owner, Calcurates

Table of contents

• The Right Choice of Carrier
• Optimal Packaging
• Landed Cost
• Shipping Destination
• Estimated Delivery Date
• Use Automated Shipping Software

Shipping internationally might be difficult at first. There are many carriers and shipping services to choose from. Shopify, WooCommerce, or Magento list many shipping software that can help you with international shipping; however, it is not only about the shipping itself. It is also about how to make international shipping easier and more convenient for your business.

1. The Right Choice of Carrier

Carriers offer different shipping services depending on the destination, delivery time, product attribute, and transportation type. Many international shipping companies for e-commerce offer express delivery which is an overnight service and is by far the most expensive one to use. Express shipping arrives the next day morning or early afternoon. If you can, do not use expedited shipping unless it is completely unnecessary. Use standard ground shipping which depending on the destination takes 3-5 working days.

Here is the overview of what is the cheapest way to ship internationally with UPS, USPS, and FedEx.

2. Optimal Packaging

Always match the product's attributes to the size of the package. Carriers charge extra for bigger packages because they take extra space. Thus, dimensional shipping was introduced, where you measure the package's dimensions, height, width, length, and weight. If your carrier does not support this feature, use international shipping software with a dimensional weight or smart packaging feature in-built. Smart Packaging finds the optimal packaging for your order and transmits the package's precise final parameters to the carrier.

3. Landed Cost

Any product shipped internationally will go through customs clearance and will be subject to customs fees. Custom fees are only one part of the total landed cost. There are many other components and costs involved in international shipping.

Displaying Landed Cost for your customers at the checkout adds credibility and transparency to your e-commerce. Also, you avoid any unexpected surprises regarding taxes and duties for your customers when they get their orders.

Knowing how to calculate landed cost is important to your business as it accounts for the right attribution of profit margins.

4. Shipping Destination

If you are shipping from the United States, have a look at the list of the countries which are in a free trade agreement with the US. This will allow you to ship for lower duty rates. Free trade agreements do not guarantee lower tariffs for each type of product shipped, but it makes moving goods around the world easier.

5. Estimated Delivery Date

Showing accurate estimated delivery dates allows the customer to schedule their time accordingly. It saves you from paying extra costs for re-scheduling or delivery re-attempts. Delivery Dates give more predictability and convenience to your customers.

6. Use Automated Shipping Software

International shipping is trickier than domestic shipping. It requires more attention to detail, from choosing shipping options to optimal packaging and customs duties.

Configure e-commerce worldwide shipping software with your carriers to optimize international shipping. Shipping software can help you display accurate real-time rates at checkout, making your shipping more cost-effective, sales stimulating, and eco-friendly. There is plenty of international shipping software to choose from in Magento, Shopify, or WooCommerce.

Calcurates is multi-carrier shipping software that supports many advanced shipping features such as International Shipping services from major carriers, Landed Costs, Estimated Delivery Dates, Smart Packaging, and more.