{"id":14800,"date":"2022-11-21T07:53:51","date_gmt":"2022-11-21T15:53:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/michaeljbrumm.com\/dcl-v3\/?p=14800"},"modified":"2024-02-06T11:00:16","modified_gmt":"2024-02-06T19:00:16","slug":"holiday-international-shipping-tips","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/michaeljbrumm.com\/dcl-v3\/blog\/holiday\/holiday-international-shipping-tips\/","title":{"rendered":"Holiday International Shipping Tips to Maximize Customer Satisfaction"},"content":{"rendered":"

The holiday season comes with big expectations of growth and sales for many ecommerce brands. A key component to a successful peak season is creating a great experience for your customers.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

If you ship internationally, don\u2019t forget about your customers abroad. It may take some extra work to ensure they get the same great treatment, but every effort will be worth it when your customers are happy.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

This post is focused specifically on Canadian shipping, but many of the tips apply to international shipping in general. If you are unsure how to meet your international customer\u2019s needs this year, it\u2019s important to work with an expert to get your supply chain right. At DCL Logistics, brands work directly with <\/span>Passport Shipping<\/span><\/a>, the number one international shipping carrier for ecommerce, to get seamless fulfillment and international expertise.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Here are the top holiday season tips to ensure your international customers remain happy and loyal.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Tell Customers What They\u2019ll Pay<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Proactive communication is the first step in setting your customers up to have a good experience. For international customers there may be surprise fees along the way\u2014duties and taxes, for example\u2014being upfront about all extra fees and charges is extremely important.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The final payment amount needs to be communicated throughout the checkout process. If not, customers may be hit with surprise fees when their package arrives. For example, if the carrier shows up at your customer\u2019s door with a bill for duties, taxes, and brokerage fees, your customer may not be expecting that. Even worse, if the order is a gift and the recipient is charged for something they didn\u2019t even order, that\u2019s a recipe for a very upset customer. <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Pro tip: Brokerage fees from legacy carriers like UPS and DHL can exceed the cost of shipping.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

To avoid disgruntled customers,\u00a0it\u2019s always best to include all duties, taxes, and fees when the customer places the order so that packages can be delivered without issues or surprises.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

One of the ways to get a complete view of what your customers will pay is to get a clear <\/span>total landed cost estimate<\/span><\/a>. <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Pro tip: One way to get a good landed cost estimate is regularly audit a sampling of recent shipments. Carriers can give you an entry summary packet, when requested, that shows the duties, taxes, and brokerage fees assessed.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Be sure you are thorough in your estimate. Many ecommerce brands leave out things like provincial sales tax (when applicable), reduced tax rates for qualifying products (books and children\u2019s clothes), or free trade agreements that can lower or eliminate duties. <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Avoid Customs Holds and Delays<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The easier it is for your products to get through customs, the less likely they are to take a closer look at your shipments. Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) conducts random compliance checks, as well as targeted monitoring of commodities like footwear and apparel that they identify as higher risk for compliance violations. If you are subjected to checks, your products may be held at the border and delayed getting to customers. <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Here are a few best practices to avoid delays at the border: <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n