What you need to know before you start Cross-Border Shipping.
The process of international shipping involves more considerations and detailed procedures compared to domestic shipping. Below are the basic checks required.
Step 1: Order and Customer Information Verification
- Carefully verify the customer's order, ensuring that the details of the product (color, size, design, etc.) and the shipping address are completely accurate.
- Reconfirm the customer's contact information is correct, preparing for any inquiries during shipping.
Step 2: Inventory Management and Picking Process
- Use the inventory management system to ensure that the ordered products are in stock.
- Carefully pick the products and double-check that they match the order.
Step 3: Packaging of Goods
- Package the goods using waterproof materials and cushioning to prevent damage during long-distance transportation.
- Choose environmentally friendly packaging materials and enhance the brand image with thoughtful packaging.
Step 4: Preparation of Export-Related Documents
- Prepare necessary documents for export, such as the commercial invoice, packing list, and certificate of origin.
- Ensure all documents are written in English and provide translations if necessary.
Step 5: Coordination with Shipping Carriers
- Contract with reliable international shipping carriers such as FedEx, DHL, and UPS.
- Use Shopify's shipping settings to select the best shipping method and present it to the customer.
Step 6: Calculation and Billing of Shipping Costs
- Calculate the actual weight and dimensional weight to choose the most cost-effective shipping option.
- Bill the customer for shipping costs with transparency, ensuring there are no hidden fees.
Step 7: Shipping Procedures and Tracking
- Hand over the goods to the shipping carrier and obtain a tracking number, then notify the customer.
- Enable customers to track the shipping status in real-time through Shopify's system.
Step 8: Explanation of Customs Duties and Taxes
- Provide customers with information about customs duties and taxes of the destination country, clearly communicating the potential for additional charges.
- Offer a DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) option, allowing customers to pay customs duties and taxes in advance.
Step 9: Customer Support and Troubleshooting
- Prepare a customer service team to address potential issues that may arise during shipping.
- In case of delays or loss of goods, respond promptly and keep the customer regularly informed.
Step 10: Confirmation of Delivery and Collection of Feedback
- Confirm that the goods have been delivered to the customer and request feedback on the shipping service.
- Feedback is an important source of information for future service improvements.
International shipping often involves unexpected delays and additional charges. Therefore, it is important to explain the shipping process to customers with transparency and provide as much support as possible. It is also necessary to constantly update information on the latest import regulations and tax systems of the destination country and provide appropriate advice to customers.
AnyMind Group's "AnyLogi" platform enables international shipping with the ease of domestic delivery. It realizes a one-stop process for carrier account registration, waybill issuance, invoice creation, and collection requests. With features that display shipping and customs duties and automatically translate addresses into English, it significantly reduces the effort required. Implementation is possible in just one hour. Leveraging AnyMind's extensive global knowledge, it provides support that allows businesses without experience or knowledge in cross-border e-commerce to confidently expand their business.
