How to Set Up International Shipping on Shopify

International shipping is crucial for e-commerce success, connecting sellers with a global customer base. If you're looking to expand your business beyond borders, it's important to understand the ins and outs of international shipping.

This article will break down the essential information you need to know to confidently navigate international shipping and expand your e-commerce business globally.

Can Shopify Ship Internationally?

Yes, Shopify can handle international shipping, empowering you to reach customers around the globe.

There are a few ways to ship internationally on Shopify:

• Shopify Shipping: If your business is in the US, Canada, or Australia, you can leverage Shopify Shipping to access discounted international shipping rates with major carriers like USPS, UPS, DHL Express, Canada Post, and Sendle. It simplifies the process by generating customs forms and documentation automatically.
• Shopify Fulfillment Network (SFN): Available for eligible US and Canadian businesses, the SFN app can handle your international fulfillment, including customs and duties.
• Third-Party Apps: Shopify offers a wide array of third-party shipping apps specializing in international shipping, providing features like real-time rate calculation, customs documentation automation, and address validation.

How to Ship Internationally with Shopify Shipping?

Step 1: Check your business eligibility for Shopify Shipping

To use Shopify Shipping, your business needs to have an eligible fulfillment location. Additionally, certain shipping carriers are only available if your store's base country matches your fulfillment location.

Depending on your fulfillment locations, you can purchase labels from the following carriers through Shopify Shipping.

• United States: USPS, UPS (not available in Puerto Rico), DHL Express (continental United States only), FedEx by Shippo
• Canada: Canada Post, UPS
• Australia: Sendle
• United Kingdom: Evri and DPD (both for businesses based in the United Kingdom)
• France: Colissimo, Mondial Relay, and Chronopost (all for businesses based in France)
• Italy: Poste Italiane (for businesses based in Italy)
• Spain: Correos (for businesses based in Spain)

Step 2: Create Shipping zones and Shipping rates

First, you need to create your shipping zones, which are a group of countries or regions for which you add the same shipping rates. Here’s how to do it:

• From your Shopify admin, go to Settings > Shipping and delivery.
• In the Shipping section, click the shipping profile to which you want to add shipping zones. If you have not yet had a profile, click New profile.
• Next to the group of locations where you want to add a shipping zone, click Create zone.
• Enter a name for the shipping zone.
• Select the countries and regions that you want to be in the zone.
• Click Done.

Now, let’s add shipping rates:

• From your Shopify admin, go to Settings > Shipping and delivery.
• In the Shipping section, click the shipping profile to which you want to add shipping rates, then click Add rate.
• You can set up free, flat, calculated shipping rates or even custom shipping rates by Adding conditions.
• Click Done to save your rate.

If you sign up for a new Shopify account, then the Shopify Shipping carrier calculated rates are automatically added in the following scenarios:

• If your store is based in the United States, then USPS rates are added by default.
• If your store is based in Canada, then Canada Post rates are added by default.
• If your store is based in Australia, flat rates are added by default, and you can activate Sendle rates.

Make sure to review any default rates by clicking the three dots button next to the rate and click Edit.

Calculate Your Shopify Shipping Rates

Here's how you can do it:

• From your Shopify admin, go to Settings > Shipping and delivery.
• In the Shopify Shipping section, click Calculate shipping rates.

• Fill in the origin & destination countries with postal codes.
• In the Package type section, select a package type:

• If you select a Custom package package type, then enter the package dimensions and weight.
• If you select a Standard Envelope or Standard Box package type, then do the following:

• Select the carrier and the package size.
• Enter the package weight.
• Click Calculate discounted rates.

Shopify Shipping Discounted International Shipping Rates By Carrier

Shopify does offer shipping discounts to help you save money on international shipping, but the amount you get can vary widely depending on a few key factors:

• Package Type: The size and type of packaging you use (e.g., envelope, box, flat rate).
• Weight: The total weight of the package.
• Destination: The country you're shipping to.
• Origin: The country you're shipping from.

To give you an idea of the potential savings, here's a table showing the maximum discounts available by carrier:

Step 3: Add Shipping Packages

Packaging is a crucial part of Shopify shipping. Choosing the right package size and weight for your products ensures they arrive safely at your customers' doorsteps while keeping shipping costs in check.

To do this, follow these steps:

• From your Shopify admin, go to Settings > Shipping and delivery.
• Scroll down to the Shipping packages section. In the Saved packages, click Add package.

• Name your package and select your package type.
• Add your package's dimensions and weight. If you want to change the store default package to this package, select Use this package to calculate rates at checkout.
• Click Add package.

• You can select the carrier package option and choose from available packages directly from the carriers that you have access to.

Step 4: Print Shipping Labels

You can buy Shopify Shipping labels individually or in bulk in your Shopify admin. The correct customs forms, as well as documentation, are generated automatically for you to print out.

To print your shipping documents, you need to use a desktop printer or a Shopify-supported label printer. It’s best to purchase your hardware from the Shopify Hardware Store to ensure compatibility.

Here’s how to print your shipping labels:

• From your Shopify admin, go to Orders > Shipping labels.
• Select the shipping labels that you want to print, then click Print documents.
• Select shipping labels, packing slips, or customs forms.
• Select the document size that matches the printer you're using to print the label, and then click Print XX documents.

Based on my experience, I highly recommend using DHL Express for international shipping. One of the major benefits is that all your documentation is sent electronically to customers, eliminating the need for extra paperwork.

Once your shipments are ready to go, don't forget that you can also schedule a pickup for any UPS or DHL Express shipment. This convenient option is worth considering when choosing your shipping carrier, as it can save you time and hassle.

How Much Does It Cost To Ship Internationally With Shopify?

Choosing the right carrier for your international shipments can significantly impact your shipping costs. Postal carriers like USPS often offer lower rates but may have longer delivery times and fewer options for package types and speeds.

On the other hand, express carriers like UPS or DHL are faster and offer a wider range of services, including insurance, but they usually come at a higher price.

To give you a better idea of the cost differences, here's an example of the shipping rates for an 8 lb package, measuring 14" x 12" x 4", sent from Connecticut (USA) to Hong Kong:

Additionally, these fees are commonly associated with international Shopify shipping:

• Shipping-Related Charges: These depend on the specifics of your shipment, like the pickup and delivery locations and even the delivery time. Generally, shipping to distant destinations will cost more. If you're shipping to remote or extended areas, be prepared for additional fees due to the extra effort required for pickup and delivery.
• Import Duties: These are taxes imposed on goods imported into a country. The amount varies depending on the product type, value, and the destination country's regulations.
• Taxes: Additional taxes like VAT (Value Added Tax) or GST (Goods and Services Tax) may apply in certain countries.
• Handling Fees: Some carriers might charge handling fees for international shipments, especially for oversized or irregularly shaped packages.
• Insurance: Consider purchasing shipping insurance to protect your products against loss or damage during transit.
• Currency Conversion Fees: If you're selling in multiple currencies, be aware of potential conversion fees when receiving payments from international customers.

In some cases, opting for faster shipping methods like express carriers might be tempting to enhance customer satisfaction, but it can significantly increase your expenses.

To give you a clearer picture, here's a breakdown of the costs involved in shipping a product, as illustrated in the provided chart:

Tips To Reduce International Shipping Costs

Looking for the most affordable way to ship internationally? Here are some tried-and-true tips based on my experience:

• Shop Around: Each carrier sets its own prices, so taking the time to compare can lead to significant savings. In my experience, USPS often offers the most competitive international rates compared to UPS and FedEx.
• Streamline Packaging: Every ounce counts when shipping internationally! So, consider using free packaging materials offered by carriers like USPS.
• Skip Express Shipping: If your customers are willing to wait a bit longer, opting for standard shipping instead of express can dramatically reduce costs.
• Leverage Platform Discounts: Shopify has up to 88% discounted rates with international shipping carriers. Take advantage of these savings if they're available to you.

Shopify International Shipping Apps

I know firsthand that navigating the intricacies of international shipping can be a major headache for Shopify store owners. But there's good news! Several Shopify apps are designed specifically to make this process smoother and less stressful.

Let me introduce you to some of the top-rated apps:

Easyship ‑ All in One Shipping

Easyship is trusted by many Shopify merchants to handle international shipping. From automatic order syncing and batch label printing to tracking updates and customs paperwork, Easyship handles it all. Moreover, you'll enjoy the lowest rates on every order through their extensive network of 250+ carriers, including top names like UPS, FedEx, USPS, and DHL.

Key features:

• Sync orders, automate workflows, & print labels
• Compare couriers & get the best rates with its shipping calculator
• Increase sales by showing both the cheapest & fastest shipping rates at checkout
• Flexible insurance coverage
• Customized branding, easy returns, & more

Ratings: 4.1/5

Pricing:

• Free plan available
• Paid plans start from $29/month with a 14-day free trial.

Intuitive Shipping

Intuitive Shipping offers a suite of features designed to give you complete control over your checkout process. From personalized onboarding sessions to continuous support, they'll help you navigate the complexities of international shipping.

Key features:

• Over 40 conditions for shipping rates
• Granular pricing control.
• Brand your checkout and customize the naming of shipping & delivery options.
• Display descriptions below shipping options
• SmartBoxing for accurate dimensional rates.

Ratings: 4.9/5

Pricing:

• Free plan available
• Paid plans start from $70/month with a 15-day free trial.

ShipStation

This multi-channel app not only syncs orders from all your selling channels but also offers major carrier discounts for domestic and international shipping. With automated workflows streamlining fulfillment, ShipStation is adaptable to businesses of all sizes, from startups to enterprises.

Key features:

• Ship with UPS, USPS, Canada Post, Royal Mail, Australia Post, DHL Express + more
• Sync orders from Amazon, eBay, Etsy, Walmart, NetSuite, and anywhere you sell
• Shipping automation, bulk printing, and warehouse tools streamline fulfillment
• Instantly send tracking and shipment info to selling channels and customers
• Checkout shipping rates, returns options, insurance, and electronic customs forms

Ratings: 4.2/5

Pricing:

• 4 paid plans ranging from $9.99/month
• A 30-day free trial

Bottom Line

Whether you're a seasoned international shipper, a curious newbie, or someone who's never considered it before, I hope this article has shed light on the key aspects of setting up international shipping for your Shopify store.

Related articles

• How to Create Free Shipping Discount on Shopify?
• How to Disable Shipping for a Digital Product on Shopify?
• How to Show Calculated Shipping Rates at Checkout on Shopify
• How to Disable Shipping Confirmation Notification?
• How to Disable Shipping Update Notification on Shopify?