Ecommerce brands looking to increase sales and lower logistics costs can rely on numerous tactics, including ecommerce personalization or outsourcing fulfillment services. International shipping is another great way to increase sales, but the process can be very intimidating. OWD strives to alleviate the stigma around international shipping for our clients, especially during frantic ecommerce periods, such as peak season.
International shipping and fulfillment are essential for any ecommerce business looking to tap into the global market. For ecommerce sellers, navigating these complexities can be daunting but incredibly rewarding. Having the right fulfillment partner to handle international shipping ensures timely deliveries, enhances customer satisfaction, and builds brand loyalty.
However, several challenges are associated with online shopping, such as managing shipping costs, handling returns, or dealing with customs compliance. This guide will give you the full rundown on starting and thriving with global ecommerce, helping you streamline your operations and seize new market opportunities.
International Shipping and Fulfillment is the process of transporting goods across borders and ensuring they reach the end customers in various countries. This involves handling logistics, customs documentation, and efficient delivery mechanisms to ensure timely and cost-effective operations.
Fulfillment centers are crucial hubs in the international logistics network, responsible for storing inventory, processing orders, packaging products, and managing returns. These centers enable businesses to position their products closer to end customers, significantly reducing shipping times and costs. For instance, a logistics partner with a fulfillment center in Amsterdam can strategically distribute products throughout Europe, enhancing delivery efficiency.
Beyond just storage and processing, fulfillment centers are integral to the last-mile delivery process. They ensure that packages reach the final destination—the customer’s address—by coordinating with local carriers or postal services. An international distribution center equipped with advanced technology further streamlines operations by integrating with various ecommerce platforms and automating workflows, ensuring a seamless fulfillment process from start to finish.
This combination highlights how fulfillment centers not only manage inventory and order processing but also play a vital role in ensuring efficient last-mile delivery, ultimately improving the overall customer experience.
Understanding these components allows businesses to streamline their global fulfillment services, ensuring they can meet customer expectations across different markets.
Global ecommerce fulfillment centers can be a comprehensive solution for managing every aspect of international shipping and logistics for ecommerce sellers. These services encompass everything from warehousing and inventory management to order processing, picking and packaging, and final delivery to the customer. By leveraging an international 3PL, businesses can streamline their fulfillment strategy and focus on core business activities.
Cost reduction in international shipping is crucial for your ecommerce business. Factors influencing shipping costs include:
Customs duties and tariffs are taxes levied on imported goods. These charges vary by country and product type and directly impact your bottom line.
A dependable 3PL partner like One World Direct (OWD) offers tailored solutions to mitigate shipping costs and customs duties:
By understanding the factors driving shipping costs and effectively managing customs duties, you position your business for global success while maintaining a competitive edge in pricing.
Proper customs compliance is essential to avoid delays or penalties during the international shipping process. A meticulous approach to documentation ensures your shipments move seamlessly through customs, safeguarding your customer satisfaction and brand reputation.
Adhering to these practices enhances the likelihood of smooth international deliveries and minimizes disruptions that could impact your global operations.
Understanding and overcoming international regulations and shipping limitations is crucial for successful global fulfillment. Different countries have their own rules and restrictions that can greatly affect your shipping plans.
Leveraging technology is critical to maintaining an efficient and reliable international shipping strategy. Advanced tools streamline processes and enhance accuracy and customer satisfaction.
In addition to these technological advancements, ecommerce personalization is becoming increasingly important in enhancing customer experience. Offering product customization options can significantly boost sales by catering to individual customer preferences. OWD offers personalized-to-consumer (P2C) fulfillment services for easy product personalization. Shoppers can customize products online with personalized engravings, embroidery, or direct-to-object printing. You can also customize packaging and include personalized greeting cards in orders.
Effective packaging design plays a crucial role in international shipping strategy. It needs to strike a balance between protecting products during transit and minimizing costs. Here’s how you can achieve that:
Implementing these practices ensures your packaging is cost-effective while maintaining product integrity. Leveraging real-time inventory management software helps monitor stock levels and streamline packaging processes. This software provides insights into which packaging sizes are most frequently used, allowing for bulk purchasing and further cost savings. Also, using kitting services, batch picking, and other picking techniques can help lower expenses.
The COVID-19 pandemic has fundamentally changed how consumers behave and how logistics networks operate, forcing businesses to rethink their international shipping strategy. Ecommerce saw an unprecedented increase as consumers shifted to online shopping, leading to a higher demand for efficient and reliable global fulfillment operations.
Exploring new markets for business growth requires a comprehensive approach. Identifying untapped markets where your products have high demand potential is critical. Start by analyzing market data and trends to uncover regions with increasing consumer interest in your product category. Utilize tools like Google Trends, industry reports, and local market research to pinpoint these opportunities.
Compliance with local regulations is non-negotiable when entering new markets. Each country has its own set of rules governing imports, product standards, and marketing practices.
Navigating the complexities of international order fulfillment presents several common challenges for businesses. These can significantly impact efficiency, cost, and customer satisfaction if not addressed properly.
By proactively addressing these challenges with strategic planning and leveraging technology solutions, you can streamline your international fulfillment operations and enhance your global reach.
Starting to sell internationally can seem daunting, but with OWD’s expertise, the process becomes straightforward. Here’s a quick guide:
Since 1994, OWD has made international shipping less intimidating and more accessible, so you can focus on growing your business globally.
When it comes to mastering the complexities of international shipping, One World Direct (OWD) stands out. A major carrier representative recently shared insights on OWD’s expertise:
"In my years working with various third-party logistics providers, One World Direct consistently demonstrates a superior proficiency in handling complex international shipments. Their ability to navigate intricate customs regulations and deliver timely, cost-effective solutions is unmatched."
Additionally, OWD can help with other crucial aspects of running an ecommerce business, including reverse logistics, lot management, and ecommerce customer service. Book a logistics consultation to learn more about a partnership and extending into international markets.
Fulfillment costs are based on three criteria: size, weight and delivery time.
OWD offers five service levels: economy (7-10 days); Standard (5-7 days), 2-Day, Overnight and International.
Example Weight: 1 ounce
Fulfillment | Postage | Total |
|---|---|---|
$1.75 | $3.64 | $5.39 |
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DDU means Delivery Duty Unpaid – where the buyer pays for all of the import fees at delivery.
Unexpected import fees give buyers sticker shock – not good. When they refuse to pay, you’ve lost a sale and must pay to return your product, or abandon it.
DDU is an old idea whose time has passed. For these reasons and more, OWD doesn’t recommend DDU for e-com sellers.
DDP is an acronym for Delivery Duty Paid. DDP means that the seller pays for all the duties and import fees.
With DDP, your customers won’t be surprised with unexpected customs charges – good!
With OWD’s landed cost calculator, your foreign customers will know exactly what their various VAT, customers and duties will cost. No unhappy surprises.
For large-scale operations needing a full solution in Europe, there’s OWD Europe, based in Amsterdam.
OWD handles phone calls, e-mails and web chat eighteen hours a day from our own state-of-the-art facility.
We’ll handle your inbound sales and customer service contacts.
You get career agents who speak American English and know how to sell.
$99 gets you 200 calls, e-mails or chats handled every week.
You get your own phone number and custom e-mail.
We do a lot more. Call for details.
The Voice of Your Brand
OWD’s all-inclusive Returns service provides simplicity and high-end customer service. OWD includes a pre-printed return label as part of your packing slip. Your customer need only drop it in the mail.
What’s included: packaging slip with return label, QC inspection, re-bag, re-tag and return to stock. What’s excluded: postage cost, poly bags and any special packaging.
