Learn what Priority Mail is, what it does best, and who can save the most by using it for shipping.

Finding the lowest prices, fastest delivery times and best service for your customer shipments can be complicated—especially when carriers offer multiple service options.

Shipping services can be challenging to sort through to find a good fit, and USPS Priority Mail is no different. It includes multiple distinct shipping methods with optimal uses and cost structures.

But if used strategically, USPS Priority Mail offerings can provide you with a competitive edge. Here’s how.

What Is USPS Priority Mail?

Priority Mail is the USPS’s top-tier shipping service. It offers faster delivery (one to three business days), along with a host of other benefits, including:

Priority Mail can ship packages to international destinations and overseas US military post offices. Best of all, using Priority Mail doesn’t have to be time-consuming or costly; by using eHub’s API and native integrations, it’s possible to save time and reduce shipping costs.

The Priority Mail category breaks down into several distinct shipping methods, each with its own advantages, pricing structure, and specific requirements that have to be met to use:

Standard Priority Mail

This primary option functions similarly to standard shipping but with the added perks of Priority. You bring your own box, and shipping costs are based on package weight and delivery distance. Despite the similarities, however, there are additional requirements to get the service upgrade:

Finally, some large, lightweight packages shipped via standard Priority Mail may be subject to additional “dim” charges.

This standard method, though, is the most negligible advantageous way to use the program. It’s a better service, but it’s also a cost increase. One of the following shipping methods is usually a better fit.

What Is USPS Priority Mail Flat Rate?

Flat Rate is built around specially marked packaging of various types and sizes, each with a prest “flat-rate” cost. If it fits in the box, and the total weight is at most 70 pounds, it ships for the cost of the packaging, regardless of actual weight or distance.

PACKAGE REQUIREMENTS

PROS

CONS

Special Considerations

Optimum Use Cases

Shippers save the most using flat rates when shipping heavier items that fit the box, especially if the package needs to travel a great distance. For smaller items, especially those weighing less than 20 pounds, a flat rate may not be an optimal choice.

What Is USPS Priority Mail Cubic?

Cubic offers reduced prices for small packages that weigh less than 20 pounds. Costs are based on package volume and delivery distance, benefiting small-yet-hefty shipments.

PACKAGE REQUIREMENTS

PROS

CONS

Special Considerations

Priority Mail is the USPS’s top-tier shipping service. It offers faster delivery (one to three business days), along with a host of other benefits, including:

Optimum Use Cases

Priority Mail Cubic is exceptionally cost-effective for small, heavy packages, especially when traveling a shorter distance.

Most SMBs aware of the program think they can’t reach the 50k shipment minimum. With eHub as a partner, however, you can use cubic since your shipments are combined with the batch we send their way, qualifying them for the program.

Learn how we’ve helped our customers streamline and optimize their shipping programs.

What Is USPS Priority Mail Regional?

According to USPS, Priority Mail Regional “combines the speed and convenience of Priority Mail shipping with zone pricing to reduce costs.” Like flat rate, it uses designated USPS boxes, but prices are based on distance, resulting in discounts for closer destinations.

PACKAGE REQUIREMENTS

PROS

CONS

Special Considerations

using Priority Mail doesn’t have to be time-consuming or costly

Optimum Use Cases

Since prices are based solely on distance, regional works best for shipments with higher weights and similar dimensions to cubic, but don’t need to travel far—fewer benefits for smaller, lighter, or further-traveling packages.

What Is USPS Priority Mail Express?

Express is the USPS’s domestic overnight and second-day service, delivering to most US addresses 365 days a year.

PACKAGE REQUIREMENTS

PROS

CONS

Special Considerations

As an extension of standard Priority Mail, it comes with many of the same requirements and is subject to dim charges when applicable.

Optimum Use Case

Express is best for time-sensitive deliveries, where the importance of speed outweighs cost. That said, the lighter the shipment and shorter the distance, the less expensive it will be.

This April, the USPS is changing the costs of shipping larger packages. Specifically, they’re adding what is colloquially referred to in the industry as “dims” (short for “dimensional fees”). These dims are added fees based on package dimensions, and depending on what your brand ships each day, some, all, or none of your parcels may be affected.

What’s Happening

Starting Sunday, Apr 3, 2022, the USPS will charge additional fees for specific shipments. These “non-standard package fees” and “non-compliance fees” will affect—and be enforced on—parcels shipped via the following services:

So, if you use any of these services when shipping your products, look for the fees described below.

The “Non-Standard Package Fees”

These fees are based on the size of the package you are sending. Not the internal measurements of the product or items in the package but the amount of space the whole thing will take up in a mail truck. They base these fees on two measurements: the length and the cubic volume.

The “Length Fee” affects all packages over 22” in length:

Dimension Graphic Ruler

The “Cube Fee” affects all packages over two cubic feet in volume, regardless of other measurements. This fee is $15 for any package that exceeds the limit.

Now, unless you’re familiar with the USPS Priority Mail Cubic service, you might not be used to calculating the cubic volume of a package you’re using, so here’s how you can get that figure:

  1. Measure the Length (L), Height (H), and Width (W) of the package in inches
  2. Multiply L x H x W to get your cubic volume in inches
  3. Divide that figure by 1728 (which is 12 inches cubed, i.e., one cubic foot)
  4. The final result is your package’s volume in cubic feet

If that final number is more significant than 2, the $15 cube fee applies.

One final note on non-standard package fees: they’re additive. In other words, if your package is over 22” long and more than two cubic feet in volume, the fee total will be $19. If it’s longer than 30” and more than two cu. Ft., the total is $30.

The “Dimension Non-Compliance Fee”

There’s one other fee to watch for. If you hand off your package without properly labeling it with accurate dimension measurements (and thus, paying for the appropriate fees as part of the postage), you’ll also get hit with a non-compliance fee. This $1.50 fee applies to any package that’s:

But the fee only applies if you fail to provide dimensions or if the measurements you provide are inaccurate (such as listing the measurements of the product inside or the internal measurements of the box it’s in). It’s important to note that most shipping boxes list their internal dimensions, not their external ones, so be sure to double-check those figures.

Does This Affect Your Shipping Costs?

While few (if any) brands sell products that use identical shipping packages across the board, not all brands sell products that require boxes big enough to incur these fees. In other words, any package you ship more minuscule than the above dimensions won’t be affected, and you won’t see any price increase.

You might also have noticed that several other USPS offerings weren’t included in the list of those affected by the fees, such as:

That’s because the requirements to ship via these programs are already under the abovementioned limits: flat rate and regional both use boxes provided by the USPS, and cubic limits every measurement to 18” or less. So if you primarily use these services, you’re in the clear.

If you find that your packages fall into these additional fees, reach out to us to see if there’s a way to ship your products for less.

For the pleasure that you bring when you make that doorbell ring, no trip will be too far.

It’s the most wonderful time of the year for e-commerce retailers.

Whether your store sells perfume for Singles Day (China’s version of Black Friday), dreidels for Hanukkah, candles for Kwanzaa, or giant, blow-up Rudolph lawn ornaments for Christmas, holiday spending accounts for as much as 35% of retailers annual sales.

Here at eHub, the holidays are our championship playoff. We train year-round to help our e-commerce clients meet the increased demands of the season. Keep reading to see what our top-notch team of shipping elves says about how you can use your shipping program to capture more of the projected $910B consumers will spend online this holiday season.

If you have many customers who don’t live on the US mainland, having a reliable shipping partner will ensure your success this holiday season

Whether you need help negotiating with carriers, navigating international shipping laws, pricing out branded packaging, or finding the best rates, EHub can help. Give yourself the gift of a shipping expert this year and contact us for a quote.

Suppose it seems like UPS peak season surcharges are not only higher but lasting longer, too; you’re right. Since March 2020, UPS has had to adapt to the significant changes in e-commerce and the global supply chain. In a nutshell, people were buying more online… a lot more. Thanks to this increased demand, most shipping carriers had to adapt, UPS included.

One adaptation included changes to peak season surcharges. Typically, peak season is just around the 4th quarter, the busiest time of the year for retail. Since the logistics industry hasn’t quite recovered from 2020 (have any of us?), we’re seeing peak season stretch beyond 4th quarter.

It’s already here. Not only that, we’re seeing it split into what resembles a tier system. If you thought surcharges were expensive, well, I have some not-great news for you.

Peak Season Surcharges: Tier 1

July 4 — October 2, 2021 Fees:
The following applies to all US domestic, import, and export shipments, qualifying customers who have shipped >1,000 total packages or more than ten that required Additional Handling during any week following February 2020.

Peak Season Surcharges: Tier 2

October 2, 2021 — January 15, 2022 Fees:
The following applies to all US domestic, import, and export shipments, qualifying customers who have shipped >1,000 total packages or more than ten packages that required Additional Handling during any week following February 2020.

The Over Maximum Limits peak surcharge will be $250.00 per package

Handle your shipping costs and communication to customers accordingly, and have a plan for when things go sideways

Bonus Round of Surcharges for High-Volume Shippers

October 31, 2021 — January 15, 2022 Volume-Based Fee:
The following applies to certain UPS Air Residential, UPS Ground Residential, and UPS SurePost, who have shipped more than 25,000 packages during any week following February 2020.

October 31, 2021 – January 15, 2022

UPS SurePost

110% to 200% of February 2020 volume$1.15 per package
> 200% to 300% of February 2020 volume$2.15 per package
> 300% to 400% of February 2020 volume$3.15 per package
> 400% to 500% of February 2020 volume$4.15 per package
> 500% of February 2020 volume$5.15 per package

UPS Ground Residential

110% to 200% of February 2020 volume$1.15 per package
> 200% to 300% of February 2020 volume$2.15 per package
> 300% to 400% of February 2020 volume$3.15 per package
> 400% to 500% of February 2020 volume$4.15 per package
> 500% of February 2020 volume$5.15 per package

UPS Next Day Air Residential

110% to 200% of February 2020 volume$2.15 per package
> 200% to 300% of February 2020 volume$3.15 per package
> 300% to 400% of February 2020 volume$4.15 per package
> 400% to 500% of February 2020 volume$5.15 per package
> 500% of February 2020 volume$6.15 per package

All Other UPS Air Residential

110% to 200% of February 2020 volume$2.15 per package
> 200% to 300% of February 2020 volume$3.15 per package
> 300% to 400% of February 2020 volume$4.15 per package
> 400% to 500% of February 2020 volume$5.15 per package
> 500% of February 2020 volume$6.15 per package

Current Service Levels With UPS Service Guarantee:

The following applies to certain UPS Air Residential, UPS Ground Residential, and UPS SurePost, who have shipped more than 25,000 packages during any week following February 2020.

How Does This Affect Your Peak Season?

I think the most important thing to remember is that the peak season results in a lot more shipments, which can mean increased waiting times for customers, delays, and maybe increased charges. Handle your shipping costs and communication to customers accordingly, and have a plan for when things go sideways.

It could also be worth taking a look to make sure you’re getting the best rates on your business shipping. Our shipping specialists can perform an analysis that tells you where you’re already shipping most efficiently and exactly where you could be saving more. Contact us to get started on a custom analysis for your business.

While the technologies used to manage and ship products have changed dramatically over the last century, the business model for shipping companies looks almost the same. For decades, shipping companies have offered small businesses a single pricing formula based on weight and distance.

Think of it this way: a 40” smart TV weighs 20 pounds. So does a 20-pound dumbbell.

But the box the TV comes in is 43”x23”x5”, and the dumbbell can fit in a giant shoebox. With traditional shipping models, you’d pay the same amount to ship both a 40” smart TV and a single dumbbell to your store in Duluth even though the TV box will take up more space in the truck.

The United States Postal Service (USPS) has developed an innovative program to meet the modern needs of many small businesses by changing shipping prices for small packages.

Welcome to USPS Priority Cubic.

What is USPS Cubic mail?

Under Cubic, businesses are charged based on the package’s dimensions instead of the package’s weight. This means it costs less to ship small, heavy packages with Cubic than with traditional methods.  

And Cubic doesn’t just offer lower prices. It includes USPS priority mail delivery within 1 to 3 business days and free package tracking.

It’s a great deal if your business regularly ships things like clothing, candles, food, small home goods, books, subscription boxes, etc.

 

If it’s so great, why isn’t everyone using Cubic?

Cubic is a very specific program with strict rules that make it an excellent solution for some businesses but not others. 

If you want an in-depth overview of Cubic, check this out, but here are the basics:

  1. USPS Cubic mail is only available to businesses that ship at least 50,000 packages annually.
  2. Packages shipped with priority Cubic shipping have to weigh less than 20 pounds.
  3. USPS Cubic box, soft package, or priority mail poly bag dimensions must be .5 cubic feet or less with sides less than 18” (about the size of a shoebox).

What’s the Cubic formula?

USPS Cubic pricing is based solely on the size of your package. Here’s how to calculate your Cubic shipping price (sorry for the math):

1. Measure your package’s length, width, and height with each dimension rounded to the nearest quarter inch. For example, say that shoebox with your 20-pound dumbbell measures 14 x 8 x 5”

2. Multiply the dimensions (height x width x length) and then divide that number by 1728 (the number of cubic inches in one cubic foot). For your shoebox, it looks like this:

14 x 8  x 5 = 560

560/1728 = .3240

3. Round the decimal to the next tenth, meaning the .3240 of your shoebox rounds up to .4 cubic feet. (Note: you always round up, never down, with USPS Cubic).

4. Congratulations! Your package qualifies for USPS Priority Mail Cubic. 

Is Cubic right for your business?

We know that what you really want to know is, “How much will this save me?” Check out this chart:

 Zone 1–2Zone 3–4Zone 5–6Zone 7–8Zone 9
Priority Mail$23.20$29.20–$35.85$49.80–$59.75$69.35–$80.50$140.35
USPS Priority Cubic$7.32$7.32$7.32$7.32$7.32

A 20-pound Zone 1 package (something shipped 1–50 miles) costs $23.20 to ship with USPS Priority Mail, and the price increases as the distance to the destination increases.

But that same 20-pound package shipped with USPS Priority Cubic starts at only $7.32 to ship.

But here’s the deal—that $7.32 is the commercially listed starting price USPS offers.

EHub has negotiated low rates for our customers.

This means that you’ll still be saving money even after you pay for our API. But you’ll also get easy-to-print labels, order tracking history, address verification services, and insurance options.

At EHub, we know that shipping is essential, but overpaying isn’t. Drop us a line today to see how we can simplify your shipping and save you money.

If you’re an e-commerce store looking to grow your sales, you must get serious about pop-ups.

Contrary to popular belief, pop-ups don’t have to be annoying. Executed correctly, they have the power to make a big difference in your conversions. It all goes down to segmenting them correctly and making them relevant to your visitor.

Today, we will look at the seven best pop-up tools you can use to take your conversion to new heights. Let’s get started:

1. Privy

Privy grows your sales with exit-intent popups, flyouts, announcement bars, and more. It’s a valuable tool if you’re looking to increase your email list and reduce cart abandonment.

The easy-to-use program makes it easy to experiment and tweak your email popups. You can test different messages based on color, design, display time, and more to see what works the best, even with no coding skills.

Another area where Privy excels is segmentation. To make your popups relevant to the visitor, you can segment them based on which country they come from, how they landed on your website, how much they have in their shopping cart, etc.

Pros:

 

Cons:

 

Pricing:

 

2. Sumo

Sumo is a top-rated conversion tool trusted by over 600,000 businesses worldwide. The platform includes multiple features to help stores win more sales, generate conversions, and increase subscribers.

From the platform admin, you can create unique offers and discounts to get your customers’ attention. By making customers sign up, you’ll increase your store’s average order value and boost sales.

Just as shoppers are about to leave their cart, Sumo reaches out with a popup that encourages them to follow through with their purchase. It also retargets customers with a follow-up email when subscribers view your product without buying.

 

Pros:

 

Cons:

 

Pricing:

 

3. Justuno Pop Ups

Justuno uses artificial intelligence to boost conversions with pop-ups, exit offers, countdown timers, and more. It offers endless ways to customize your upsell and cross-sell offers.

The platform’s AI software analyzes billions of data points to tailor pop-ups based on each visitor. It tracks visit frequency, geolocation, cart value, and more to ensure your store sends the right message at the right time.

Justuno comes with advanced analytics to track your marketing success and measure performance. You’ll gain exact insights into what strategies work and what don’t.

 

Pros:

 

Cons:

 

Pricing:

 

4. Omnisend

Omnisend is one of Shopify’s most popular email marketing apps, with a near-perfect 4.7 rating. It connects your email efforts with other channels such as SMS, Facebook, and Google.

On top of using pop-ups to generate sales, you can optimize your landing pages for conversion. It’s also known for its Wheel of Fortune pop-up that offers customers the chance to win a special voucher on your store.

 

Pros:

 

Cons:

 

Pricing:

 

5. Salespop

Social proof is a powerful tool for conversion. 91% of customers trust reviews as much as their own friends and family.

Sales Pop helps you use social proof to boost sales by displaying real-time customer activity. When visitors know that others are buying from your store, they are more likely to buy themselves. It also makes your store look busy and creates urgency.

The app does this by connecting to your Shopify and tracking recent sales. Customers will also be able to click on the pop-up to look at the purchased product.

 

Pros:

 

Cons:

 

Pricing:

 

6. Pixelpop

With Pixelpop, you can capture visitors’ emails and sync them to Mailchimp, Klaviyo, Constant Contact, or Conversio. You can also add banners that display special offers, such as free shipping.

Pixelpop has various ways to style and customize pop-ups on your store. The different types of pop-ups you can use on your website include email signups, announcements, coupon codes, social follow, etc. The sky’s the limit!

Pixelpop doesn’t require any coding background to get started and only takes a few seconds to install on your store.

 

Pros:

 

Cons:

 

Pricing:

 

7. Wisepops E-commerce Pop-Ups

Thanks to its drag-and-drop editor, Wisepops makes it possible to create high-converting emails within seconds.

One aspect that makes Wisepops stand out from other popup tools is its vast choice of templates. The platform makes it easy to find designs that reflect your brand.

Wisepops sends the right message at the right time with contextual targeting. You can target customers based on various factors such as their cart value, their timezone, location, and more.

 

Pros:

 

Cons:

 

Pricing:

 

Conclusion

Pop-ups are great for growing your email list and landing more sales. We hope this list of tools will help you pick the right pop-up tool for your business. Experiment with each platform and see which fits you the best!

In part one of this two-part blog series, we reviewed some basics of the major carriers available for international e-commerce shipping needs. From USPS to several others, you have a few options for international shipping – and which you choose will depend on a few different variables.

At eHub, we’re happy to offer international shipping e-commerce solutions as just one piece of our comprehensive shipping API services. From helping you navigate paperwork and customs documentation to negotiating non-US shipping deals, managing returns, and more, we’re here to help with every area of international commerce for our clients. While much of part one of our series evaluated your options for international shipping, today’s part two will dig into the factors you should consider while selecting your carrier.

Landed Cost

Within the shipping world, the term “landed cost” is commonly used to describe the final, all-in-one price. It includes not only shipping costs but also duties, taxes, and fees, plus potential add-ons like insurance.

Before any customer completes an international purchase of your products, you should lay out their landed cost. In many cases, this information will include details on who is responsible for any additional fees that might be present.

Full Details

In addition to the landed cost of standard shipping needs, you must know what’s included in a shipping carrier’s program. For instance, does the carrier include insurance for all orders, for only orders with a specific minimum price, or not? If it’s not offered at all, you may have to offer some of your own. Also, inquire about areas like whether there’s a charge for proof of delivery, how tracking will work, and more.

Customs Forms

While customs forms will be pretty similar or even identical between carriers, they’re essential to think about. This is actually an area where working with our team of shipping professionals is just as important as finding a great carrier – we’ll help you with things like value per unit, international currency, harmonized tariff codes, and others, though we require a partnership with a robust carrier in several of these areas.

Trade Regulations

Another area where it’s essential to have both a suitable carrier and the expertise of pros like ours is within trade regulations, which vary between countries you may be shipping to or from. For instance, Austria does not allow the shipment of any alcoholic beverages or medicine, among other things; China doesn’t allow the import of toy guns. Knowledge of these regulations is vital for limiting overhead and maintaining your company’s reputation.

If you’re like most business owners, this photo of someone being literally boxed in by shipping containers probably feels familiar.

Ask yourself:

If you nodded your head emphatically to any (or all) of these questions, we can help. 

EHub is an integrated platform that simplifies shipping by connecting your eCommerce systems. We have agreements with major carriers that allow us to get you more competitive rates without sacrificing customer service.

We’ve also perfected the art of international shipping. Let us teach you our ways.

 

What is international shipping, anyway?

Domestic shipping involves shipping goods or documents from and to locations within a single country’s borders.

By contrast, international shipping (also known as cross-border or global shipping) is precisely what it sounds like: importing and exporting goods across national borders by land, air, or sea. 

While the definition is simple, the application tends to trip people up. 

If you are ready to start shipping outside the United States, there are a few things you need to know right off the bat:

  1. International shipping will take longer and cost more. Don’t waste time fighting it. Embrace it and find the best solution for your company.
  2. Customs and duties, both in the originating country and the receiving country, are all forms of import/export taxes you can’t avoid.
  3. Because every country has unique import/export requirements, it’s easiest if you start shipping to a country that is part of a strong US trade agreement.  Mexico and Canada are the easiest since the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) simplified taxes and other requirements, but 20 other countries also have free trade agreements with the US.

 

Domestic vs. international shipping

As long as you aren’t shipping something liquid, fragile, perishable, or potentially hazardous, all you need to ship a package domestically is a shipping label.

International shipping is more complicated, with restrictions on the types of goods that can be shipped and more documentation requirements. 

Navigating all these regulatory requirements can be confusing and overwhelming, but if you’re ready to take your business to the next level by expanding to a global customer base, keep reading.

 

What qualifies as international shipping?

Shipping from the US to Canada is considered international shipping, even though they share a border because two sovereign nations are involved. On the other hand, if you want to send a package to Hawaii, 2,285 miles from the US mainland, you have multiple domestic shipping options.

But is shipping to Puerto Rico or Guam considered international shipping? They aren’t sovereign nations, but they aren’t states either. Do you need to fill out forms and pay duty taxes?

Here’s a basic rule of thumb:

LOCATIONINTERNATIONAL SHIPPING?
Any one of the 50 US statesNope (all carriers)
Puerto Rico & US Virgin Islands(US territories in the Caribbean)USPS: Nope (no customs forms or duty tax)Fedex/UPS/DHL: Yep (regular customs forms)
American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands (all other US territories)Yep (all carriers)
Every other countryYep (all carriers)

What can I ship internationally?

Requirements vary between shipping providers (between the USPS and FedEx, for example), but there are limits on what you can ship within the United States. Generally speaking, things like airbags, ammunition, explosives, gasoline, illicit drugs, and marijuana (including medical doses) cannot be shipped domestically.

In addition to the list of prohibited items, some products have restrictions on domestic shipping, including:

All items prohibited and restricted for domestic shipping cannot be shipped internationally. Additionally, you can’t use priority mail express to send packages containing currency (coins, banknotes), securities of any kind that are payable to the bearer (like traveler’s checks), precious stones and metals, and other valuables to other countries. 

international shipping (also known as cross-border or global shipping) is precisely what it sounds like: importing and exporting goods across national borders by land, air, or sea

What documents do I need to ship outside the US?

Remember your pre-Covid trip to Cancún? Before you landed, the flight attendants had you fill out a tourist immigration form listing where you were coming from, what airline you flew in on, where you were staying, and when you’d be leaving. 

After landing, you likely gave this form to an immigration officer before going through customs, where you had to fill out another form “declaring” whether or not you were bringing restricted items and/or large amounts of cash into the country with you.

Most governments treat packages like tourists and require similar documents to accompany them across borders. The most common forms needed for international shipping are:

Depending on where and what you’re shipping, you may also need a/an:

 

International shipping with training wheels

EHub is basically international shipping with training wheels. We have carrier and cart integrations that can save you the time and stress of figuring out documentation and tax requirements while capitalizing on your expansion opportunities.

Shipping, savings, simple. Get in touch with us today to get started.

Why Ship Internationally?

You’ve seen the stats, like this one from CIEDEC—that 95% of the world’s consumer market awaits you outside US borders. And, after reading our tips for international sales growth, you’ve laid the groundwork to expand your international business shipping horizons. Now, it’s time to get up to speed with international shipping.

Though it may seem daunting, follow these steps, and your products will soar—literally.

1. What Can I Ship, and Where Can I Ship It?

First, review the Commerce Control List (CCL) to verify whether your product is allowed for export or if it is a controlled commodity that requires an export license. Also, depending on where and to whom you are shipping, you’ll want to check whether the government has sanctions or embargoes and prohibitions on end users or the product’s end-use. Then, check the Country Commercial Guides to determine whether your product is allowed for import in a particular country.

If your product does require an export license, determine your product’s Export Control Classification Number (ECCN) because you’ll need it to file an Electronic Export Information (EEI) form. You must also file an EEI if your shipment’s value exceeds $2500.

The good news is most commercial products do not require an export license and are designated EAR99 in the Export Administration Regulations, but before exporting, you will still need to ascertain your product’s Harmonized System classification and Schedule B number to complete the export and import forms.

An easy way to start offering international shipping to Canada and Mexico first and branch out from there. Trading with our neighbors has been simplified with the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) which allows qualifying small package shipments valued at less than $150CAD (in Canada) and $117USD (in Mexico) to ship duty-free, and the taxes have also been simplified.

Or, select from the 20 countries with a free trade agreement with the US. If the customs regulations of the country you are shipping to are rather complicated, and you plan to ship there frequently, you may want to hire a customs broker to help you cut through their red tape.

33Countries with Free Trade Agreements with the United States
AustraliaBahrainCanadaChile
ColombiaCosta RicaDominican RepublicEl Salvador
GuatemalaHondurasIsraelJordan
KoreaMexicoMoroccoNicaragua
OmanPanamaPeruSingapore

2. Decide Who Should Pay For What

Incoterms define the rules of the ownership transfer… for instance, During the delivery process, when does ownership transfer; who is responsible for covering the licensing, customs fees, and taxes; and who, if applicable, is insuring the product for loss and damages? What’s the de minimus value for the country you’re shipping to?

As you consider handling these expenses, you should also estimate what your landed cost (or total expenses from the point of sale to the final receipt of the product) will be—there are many online calculators available to help you. Does it make sense for you to offer free shipping? Split the costs? Will you accept returns, and if so, who covers that cost? Should you adjust your product pricing to reflect the additional cost and work?

An easy way to start offering international shipping to Canada and Mexico first and branch out from there

Selecting which carrier to use is a big part of this step. Price is often the primary concern, but speed and convenience of delivery are factors as well. While USPS can often be the least expensive, its tracking capabilities and delivery responsibilities end once the product leaves its jurisdiction. Many private carriers handle delivery from door to door and offer more services, but those costs will fit into your overall price.

3. Sell Your Product(s) and Get Them On Their Way

Yay! You’ve cut through the red tape, done your research, and it’s paying off—the cash register is ringing.

Now, it’s time to generate a detailed Commercial Invoice (or Pro Forma Invoice for samples) outlining the terms of both the sale and the delivery, then finalize the required export and import forms (which you will have already determined through your research). Some of these can be completed online.

Then, package your product in a sturdy container that meets the standards of your selected carrier; create and affix your international shipping label, carefully proofing your recipient’s address and contact information; and attach your Commercial Invoice along with any other necessary customs paperwork.

Finally…

Easy as 1-2-3.

  1. Research 2. Analyze 3. Ship

Right? Okay, maybe we’re oversimplifying it. But, once you perform the cost-benefit analysis and create the foundation, the process will become systematic and, ultimately, well worth it.

Final Thoughts

However, if you find you do not have the capacity for it. eHub can help. We’ve done our due diligence in the export arena, developed relationships and pricing contracts with multiple carriers, and built the databases to support a seamless e-commerce API that will facilitate every international sale you make. To explore whether our international shipping solution could work for you, click here.

For new businesses, winning in your local market is just the start. As your e-commerce store starts to scale, you should look at options for growing international sales.

Growing your business overseas requires a lot of preparation, research, and planning. Here are our best seven tips for a successful transition to an international market:

Study the Market and Product Demand

Before you aim for a new market, see if your products are getting attention in other countries.

Are you getting a lot of traffic worldwide? Do you already have repeat customers from places outside the US? Answering these questions should provide you with insights on how to adapt to a new market.

You can look at this using Google Analytics. If you don’t have the tracking pixel installed on your website, you can learn more about doing it here.

Also, research to find out if there’s a high demand for the type of product you sell. If there’s a need that’s not met in one country, you can be there to fill that gap by growing international sales.

You can also use Google Trends to see what people are searching. 

Translate Your Website to the Local Language

Make sure that international customers can understand your website in their own language. No one will buy your item if they can’t read your product description.

However, don’t settle for simple translation tools such as Google Translate. You want to make sure to hire a professional translator who can write good e-commerce content.

Otherwise, there may be inaccuracies in your copy that might throw off your audience.

Aside from translating your website, also make sure that your store converts prices into their local currencies. Many tools on Shopify help you do this, such as Transcy, for example.

Do Research on the Country’s Culture and Customs

While translating your website is a must, it won’t be enough to adapt to a new market overseas. You’ll also have to research the country’s culture and customs.

For example, selling products made out of ivory is illegal in many European nations, such as Italy. Countries also have different definitions of what they consider “ethical marketing” as well.

Find brands that align with yours that are currently selling in those markets. You can research to see what they are doing, even contact the brand and ask them what it is like.

Get International Payment Options Ready

As you get ready to scale overseas, start thinking about how you’ll be accepting international payments.

The preferred payment method of the customer will depend from country to country. For example, cheques are still commonly used in France, while German buyers prefer to purchase directly.

Consider adding PayPal as a payment option on your website. The platform makes it possible to take payments from over 200 countries in 25 currencies. It also has a good reputation regarding security and purchase protection.

While translating your website is a must, it won’t be enough to adapt to a new market overseas. You’ll also have to research the country’s culture and customs

A not-so-fun part of expanding your business overseas is getting yourself legally ready. Some countries will require specific documentation before you can operate in their territory.

You’ll also have to research how you plan to pay taxes in the country. You’ll have to adhere to the laws determined by the IRS and the tax authority of the country you’re selling in.

Figuring all of this out by yourself can be a headache. That’s why we help our customers take the stress off their backs by handling all the documentation needed to ship internationally.

Provide Excellent Customer Support

A vital factor to consider as you shift your business overseas is how you will handle customer service. Remember that your customers will be in different time zones and may not speak English.

To overcome these roadblocks, you can invest in chatbot technology to answer customer questions anytime. Another strategy is to hire an international remote team that can provide customer support even during late times.

Make sure you include tracking information for any shipments, as well as posting expected transit times for overseas shipments.

Make International Shipping Affordable to Customers

Lastly, your shipping strategy could make or break your success overseas.

Unexpected shipping costs can drive your potential customers overseas away. In fact, high shipping costs are one of the most common reasons why customers abandon their carts.

If you’re a small or medium-sized business, however, it can be difficult to find competitive rates on international shipping. Many roadblocks can get in the way, such as paperwork, negotiating deals with carriers outside the US, and managing international returns.

At eHub, we help take care of international shipping so you can get started selling internationally right away. We have hundreds of connections with carriers worldwide to ensure you get the best rates every time – especially internationally!

Wrapping Things Up

If you’re serious about growth, international markets offer a unique opportunity to scale quickly. It will require careful planning on your end, but the results can be very lucrative in the long run.

eHub can help you transition seamlessly as you enter a new market. Our platform allows you to scale your shipping to multiple countries without having to negotiate rates or hurt your profit margins. Contact us today for a free demo to learn more.