Shipping products internationally involves more than just packaging and postage. You need to understand tariffs, customs, duties, and how they impact both your cost structure and the customer experience. Shopify offers tools and features to help merchants collect import duties, calculate taxes, and avoid surprises for customers.
Key Steps for Handling International Import & Shipping
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Correct HS Codes: Assign the proper Harmonized System (HS) code and country of origin to each product. These influence import duties and speed of customs clearance.
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Decide How Duties & Taxes are Collected:
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DAP (Delivered At Place): Customer pays duties upon delivery. Risks surprise fees and delays.
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DDP (Delivered Duty Paid): Duties and taxes are calculated and collected at checkout. Much more transparent for customers.
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Use Shopify’s Built-in Settings: Enable duties and import tax collection via Settings → Taxes & duties. Add HS codes and country of origin on product pages or via CSV.
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Select Correct Shipping Labels: If you use DDP, purchase DDP shipping labels. Shopify allows this via DHL Express or DHL eCommerce for US/Canada merchants.
Pros & Trade-Offs
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Pros:
- Clear pricing for customers → fewer surprises upon delivery.
- Better conversion since import fees are handled up front.
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Trade-Offs:
- If you absorb duties, your margin gets affected.
- Complexity managing shipping labels, especially across countries.
Best Practices
- Include import duty & tax info clearly in product descriptions and policies.
- Use duty-inclusive pricing where possible for smoother checkout.
- Choose reliable carriers and check that they support DDP if you use it.
- Diversify suppliers & fulfillment locations to reduce shipping and duty costs in major markets.
- Regularly review carrier, tariff, and customs changes — laws change often.
Conclusion
Handling international import & shipping well is key to expanding globally without hurting customer trust. Shopify’s tools help you show accurate duties, use correct HS codes, and choose whether to collect taxes up front or later. By being transparent and strategic, you can reduce surprises, avoid delays, and improve cross-border sales.
