Are you an online retailer or web store looking to expand your customer base internationally? Setting up international shipping options can be a game-changer for your business.

With Shopify, creating shipping zones and selecting the countries you want to ship to is simple and easy. In this article, we'll walk you through setting up shipping zones and customizing shipping rates for each zone.

Whether you're shipping from the UK to the EU or the USA, you'll learn everything you need to know to get started with international shipping in Shopify.

Setting Up International Shipping Options In Shopify

After setting up your shipping location and profile on Shopify is time to set shipping zones. Shipping zones let you map out specific areas you are happy to ship to and change the rates based on what area your customers are in. When your warehouse is in the UK, for example, EU countries could be zone one with a different shipping rate than the USA, which could be declared zone 3. 

You still have to select every country you're happy to ship to so that potential customers from these countries can order your product. You can select and name your shipping zones in the "Manage Rates" Tab under "Shipping and Delivery". 

Choosing The Right Shipping Carriers And Service Levels For Orders 

There isn't one perfect carrier for all international shipping. While you have plenty of options when shipping into the EU, shipping to the US or Australia, for example, can come with more considerations.

Even though you can ship items to Australia through the post office, it often results in delays as your parcel will be handed over to another facility every time your shipment crosses a border. Nobody wants to wake up to a postal worker delivering the Christmas gift you bought four months ago. 

Knowing your carrier and their area of expertise can significantly impact not just the delivery time but also the level of service.

While UPS and FedEx are powerful when shipping into North America, DHL has built an excellent reputation for shipments into Africa and Asia.

If you start offering your products internationally, either go with only one additional area for one carrier or choose a shipping management system that allows you to get the best rates from all major carriers without any volume restrictions, like World Options. 

Automating And Streamlining Your International Shipping Process

The biggest worries when shipping internationally are customs, restrictions and commercial invoices. Still, as long as you have an EORI number and ensure your items are okay to send to this specific country, nothing is keeping you from taking your business internationally. 

Shipping management systems help you streamline the entire process, from pulling all orders straight from all your eCommerce platform into one portal to automatically generating the commercial invoice. As soon as you add all the customs information for your product, you can save that product and add the commercial invoice with just one click for the subsequent shipments. The only thing left is to print the label and send off the item. 

Many couriers now allow you to send commercial invoices electronically. Not only does that save you time, but it also raises the speed of delivery, as customs clearance can start before the parcel has been shipped to the facility. 

Managing And Tracking Your International Shipments With Shopify 

Once you've sent your parcel, staying up-to-date and reacting as soon as an error occurs is essential. A real-time tracking system lets you keep updated with all your shipments and contact customer service when you spot an irregularity. 

Keeping your customer updated throughout the shipping process is especially important for international shipments, as minor delays are more likely. Save yourself the "Where is my order" calls that take away time and money. Simply provide your customer with their very own tracking link. 

Maximising The Success Of Your International Shipments With Shopify

While it's essential to watch for errors occurring through your tracking page, you can take measures to ensure they don't happen in the first place. The most important are: 

Packaging: If you ship anything that needs to be shipped in a box internationally, consider using a double-walled box to reduce the chance of the box breaking apart during transit. Depending on the item you send, extra protection can be beneficial. The table below shows how each packing material can protect your item.  

Labelling:  Ensure to have the label on a flat surface on your parcel. If your package is too small to have the label on only one side, ensure you don't fold the barcode. You can add unique handling labels such as:  

Sealing: Besides using tape to close up your box, you can also use it to strengthen the corners and edges. This is especially recommended for shipping heavy items. 

Commercial invoice: Make your item description as accurate as possible. Even though it might seem silly to explain the ins and outs of a t-shirt, it helps avoid any questions from the customs facility. 

Overcoming Common Challenges And Risks Associated With International Shipping On Shopify

As much as you're prepared, potential risks can always get in the way of your successful international shipment. Staying up to date with your tracking is the first step to resolving any issues quickly and effectively. 

Shipping with World Options means you can entirely automate the shipping process and have contact with a dedicated account manager and our UK-based customer service team, who have direct lines to the carriers. Don't fight your way through different departments and online forms. Our customer service team will resolve the issue for you. 

The Benefits Of International Shipping On Shopify

Taking your business international is a massive step for every business development. By adding only one additional country to your shipping list, you could potentially already double your customer base. An increase in your customer base results in an increase in sales and, further down the line, an increase in profits. 

Summary 

With the right shipping management system, taking your Shopify business international is only a few clicks away. You can grow your customer base massively by setting the proper zones and slowly expanding your shipping destinations. The World Options shipping portal helps you do so. It allows you to find the best carrier rates with no volume requirements.

It also automates the entire shipping process to the point where a label is automatically printed when a customer orders an item in your Shopify store. Once set up, you no longer feel the difference between domestic and international shipments. 

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