How to Set Up International Shipping on Shopify? (2024)

Congratulations, the time has come! Your Shopify store is going international.

But, before you can start welcoming customers from around the globe, there’s one important step you can’t skip - setting up international shipping.

Expanding into new markets is exciting, but it also requires a well-organized shipping strategy to ensure smooth deliveries, avoid delays, and keep your customers happy.

In this guide, I will walk you through the process of setting up international shipping on Shopify, breaking it down into easy-to-follow steps so you can start selling worldwide with confidence.

3 steps to prepare for international shipping

Shipping internationally requires careful planning because mistakes or lack of preparation can eat into your profit margins. 

For example, incorrect product labeling, failing to account for customs fees, or using inappropriate packaging can lead to delays, extra costs, or damaged goods. 

Here are three steps you should take:

#1 Carriers, pricing, and logistics

When shipping internationally, select carriers that have a strong presence in the countries you plan to ship to. 

Research and choose carriers that can handle the complexities of customs, taxes, and regulations in each region.

Establish clear pricing and conditions for international shipping, including handling fees, taxes, and customs duties. This will help you set realistic expectations with your customers and avoid misunderstandings.

Partnering with a local logistics provider can help you manage your international shipping process with safely and securely. They can handle tasks such as customs clearance, tax compliance, and inventory management, allowing you to focus on your core business.

#2 Choosing products to ship internationally

Not all items may be profitable when considering factors such as packaging requirements, product weight/dimensions (shipping larger furniture pieces can prove costly), fragile nature (like glassware), or perishability (such as food items). 

Hence, select products that maintain viability during transit while also appealing significantly to foreign customers.

#3 Understanding country rules and regulations

Each country has its own import rules and regulations, and ignoring these can lead to fines or returned shipments. 

You can find this information on government websites or use tools like trade.gov or export.gov to check specific country restrictions.

It’s also important to understand the tariffs and taxes for different product categories. 

What seems affordable at first can become expensive once extra fees are added.

#4 Factor in language and cultural considerations

Using language localization helps you connect with non-English speaking customers, improving their experience with your brand in different regions. 

For example, offering French translations when targeting Francophone Africa can create a better connection with local shoppers compared to only using English.

You can easily do this by using Shopify translation apps to translate your website into the languages of your target markets.

Cultural sensitivity is also important in building trust. This means recognizing local holidays, respecting traditions, and adjusting product descriptions to fit local customs and preferences.

Blogging on Shopify about trends and solutions for specific regions can will connect you with international audiences. 

Using Bloggle, a powerful Shopify blogging app, makes this process even easier. 

Bloggle helps you create SEO-optimized content, feature products within your blog posts, and manage multiple authors.

5 steps to setting up international shipping on Shopify

Shopify's international sales tools make it easy to manage multiple markets, languages, currencies, and taxes from a single store. 

With this feature, you can set up multiple stores for different regions, each with its own language, currency, and tax settings. 

This makes it easy to tailor your store to specific markets and customer bases.

For example, you can create a store for the European market with its own language, currency, and tax settings, and another store for the Asian market with its own language, currency, and tax settings.

Shopify’s international sales tools allows you to:

• Offer products and services in multiple languages to cater to diverse customer bases
• Set prices and taxes according to local regulations and customer preferences
• Manage inventory and shipping logistics for each region separately
• Track sales and analytics for each region to make data-driven decisions

For larger stores, Global-E is a specialized tool that provides additional features and support for international e-commerce. 

With Global-E, you can streamline your international shipping, manage complex customs regulations, and provide a seamless customer experience.

With Global-E, you can:

• Automate tasks such as customs clearance and tax calculation
• Manage complex customs regulations and compliance requirements for each region
• Offer multiple shipping options and tracking updates
• Access expert support and resources

Now, let's move on to the 5 simple steps to set up international shipping on Shopify:‍

Step 1: Go to settings

1. Log in to your Shopify dashboard.
2. Click on Settings at the bottom left.

Step 2: Set up an international market

1. In settings, go to markets.

2. Click Add Market to create a new market.
3. Name it International and select the countries you want to include.
4. Click Add Market to save.

Step 3: Add Shipping Rates

1. After creating the market, click Go to Shipping.

2. Click on “Go to shipping”

3. Create a new shipping profile.

4. Click “Add shipping zone” and select the countries you included in the international market.

5. Set your shipping rates: free shipping, minimum order, or flat rate.

Step 4: Apply Shipping Rates to Products

1. Click on “Add products”

2. Select the products you want to sell internationally.

3. Click Done to apply the shipping rates.

Step 5: Activate the International Market

1. Return to the Markets section.
2. Click Activate to enable international shipping.

And now you’re all set to sell internationally.

Are you ready to ship internationally?

And there you have it! 

Your Shopify store is now ready to conquer the international market with a seamless shipping setup. 

Remember, a well-planned shipping strategy not only ensures smooth deliveries but also betters the customer experience, helping you build trust with people around the world. 

Now, it's time to watch your business grow as you welcome shoppers from across the globe!