Ecommerce logistics is one of the biggest expenses for online retailers, especially when shipping products internationally. If you’re not using the right international parcel shipping company, you could be hurting your business. The wrong carrier can lead to unexpected shipping costs and delayed delivery times, which can result in lost sales and customer loyalty.
Fortunately, the ball is in your court when it comes to choosing international shipping for ecommerce. You have plenty of options to choose from, including cost-effective DDP (delivered duty paid) solutions. Below are the most important things to pay attention to when choosing the best international shipping companies for your online store.
Weight Limits and Sizing Restrictions
The first thing to consider is the size and weight of the products you are shipping. Some carriers have a weight limit and shipping restrictions that you’ll want to be aware of. Others are willing to ship larger products, but they will add additional charges or special pricing. When shipping smaller products, flat rate is usually the best option because you pay a fixed rate.
Domestic vs. International Shipping
If you plan on shipping both domestically and internationally, you might find it best to use different carriers for each region. There are plenty of reputable shipping companies that ship within the United States (e.g. USPS, FedEx or UPS), but these same providers may not offer the best service and pricing to ship overseas.
Some online retailers use the same carriers to ship international and domestic packages, but a better option for international orders can be to work with a specialized international DDP carrier like YunExpress USA. We manage the entire logistics process from the US all the way to the consumers’ door in-house, to guarantee, that the delivery experience for your consumers in the UK, France, Germany, Spain, Italy and many other European countries is fast and runs smoothly.
Fast Delivery Times
Pick an international shipping service that offers quick, efficient DDP shipping. One of the biggest reasons for abandoned shopping carts is slow shipping speeds. Consumers want their packages delivered to them fast and on time, so it’s important that your shipping options reflect this. The best shipping companies should be able to deliver packages to an international destination within 4-6 days. And, because with DDP all taxes and duties are paid upfront, there are no unforeseen delivery delays or consumer rejections that could hurt your business. Your shipment arrives on time and as expected.
Pricing
Another big reason for abandoned shopping carts is expensive shipping. Choose an international shipping service that offers affordable, cost-effective DDP shipping. YunExpress USA provides great volume discounts on international shipping and can ship your parcels for much less than the Post Office or Express Integrators.
Reliable Tracking Process
Reliable and accurate tracking assures both you and your customer that the package will be delivered on time. YunExpress USA offers detailed tracking updates, with milestones for every package, along with delivery confirmation. In addition to that, we provide a POD service (signature proof of delivery) for all e-commerce retailers that want to add extra security to their final-mile parcel delivery.
As you can see, there are many considerations when choosing an international parcel shipping company. By doing your research and asking the right questions, you can find a reliable global shipping service that satisfies customers and allows your business to grow.
