Navigating International Shipping Expansion
Let us answer your questions about the best international shipping solutions for small business
Top 5 Factors When Exploring International Shipping
Whether you’re selling on a marketplace or exploring adding international shipping through your e-commerce website or platform like Shopify or Adobe Commerce, here are five things to consider when selecting an international shipping partner.
Reliability
You know from your domestic shipping that a delivery partner is an extension of your brand. Make sure your provider has ample experience and personnel on the ground in the country or countries you are exploring.
Delivery Speed
Whether you are handling shipping yourself or dropshipping, the length of time it takes to receive an international shipment can be a barrier for your customers. We recommend offering multiple service levels to your customers.
Delivery Options
Depending on the market, international customers might have different expectations for delivery options. In high-density cities in Europe, for example, locker pickup has grown in popularity. Make sure you offer the most popular options in your new markets.
Fully Landed Cost
Fully landed cost is the total price of a product once it has arrived at a buyer's doorstep. Buyers want to know that the price includes the shipping cost and any customs fees. Make sure to include any additional fees your customers will have to pay in your price.
Returns
International returns can be costly and complicated for a small business. In some international markets, drop off centers help facilitate e-commerce returns. You’ll want to understand your partner's physical presence in your market.
For more information about what online shoppers are looking for and how that impacts your shipping, check out our 2023 Online Shopper Surveys.
Global Markets: 2023 Online Shopper Survey
Download the guide
(152.9 MB)
European Markets: 2023 Online Shopper Survey
Download the European guide
(155.1 MB)
Comparing Shipping Costs
Comparing apples to apples between your potential shipping providers can be challenging. You’ll want to be sure to explore the tracking and shipment visibility capabilities, shipment value protection, and customer service options when you are looking at the cost for the best international shipping for small business. Sometimes the least expensive option includes many add-ons or leaves you with information gaps you’ll regret later.
Origin, destination and volume are the biggest factors in cost. Make sure you are comparing prices taking into account any volume discounts your provider might offer.
Contact Our Shipping Experts
We know costs and service level questions are probably top of mind. Our shipping experts are ready to answer any of your questions. Tell us a little bit more about your shipping needs, so we can connect you with the right expert.
Partnering with DHL
Let’s dive into the industry-leading capabilities DHL offers customers looking for international shipping for small business.
Reliability
DHL is the only shipping and logistics brand to rank in Infegy’s list of Top 20 Most Trusted Brands – a ranking based on analyzing what people are saying about brands across social media platforms.
We operate in more than 220 countries and territories – with a team of more than 600,000 shipping and logistics specialists, no other provider knows the world like we do.
Learn more about Partnering with DHL
Delivery Speed
For parcel and document shippers we have two divisions offering international shipping services for small and medium-sized businesses.
For our freight shipping customers, we also offer a variety of speed options through our two freight divisions.
Parcel and Document Business Shipping Options
Our products and services vary by country. If you’re looking for service from another country, change the country edition at the top of the site. For service from the United States, explore our package and document service details.
Price Transparency
To help you provide the highest level of price transparency to your customers, DHL has developed the DHL Duties and Taxes Calculator. Businesses can leverage this tool in several ways. This tool allows you to calculate international duties and taxes accurately at checkout. As a result, international customers have full visibility of total costs, and a frictionless shopping experience.
This tool can be used with any DHL division or with any other carrier.
- You are looking to integrate the Duty and Tax Calculator without Shopify? Find all the information you need in our developer portal.
- Try the Duty and Tax Calculator now
Customs Options
For business account holders in the United States, DHL Express and DHL eCommerce offer options for duties including – DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) and taxes paid in advance and DDU (Delivered Duty Unpaid) and taxes paid upon delivery. For DHL Express customers, customs brokerage is included in the door-to-door price. Because customs and duties options are localized by shipment origin and destination, our highly-trained local shipping experts can best help you navigate this complicated process.
In the United States, DHL eCommerce offers options for duties including – DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) and taxes paid in advance and DDU (Delivered Duty Unpaid) and taxes paid upon delivery. In other regions, our customs solutions vary based on the international service offering in a country.
Delivery Options and International Returns
DHL has been on the forefront of exploring new document and parcel delivery options to our customers. From pioneering locker distribution in Europe, to drone delivery experiments in rural areas of Africa, we know our customers are looking for flexibility and convenience.
Starting with International Scale?
If you’re already managing a significant volume of domestic shipment and you’re expecting to hit a new market with some significant scale, you may want to consider working with local shippers and house your products in fulfillment centers near your new market. A distributed inventory strategy shortens shipping times and lowers shipping costs. We offer the DHL Fulfillment Network in Europe and selected countries around the world.
Real World Examples
Let’s hear from some customers who have recently expanded internationally with some of our divisions.
