For US-based ecommerce merchants, navigating international sales can be complex due to tariffs, customs, and export laws. The U.S. Department of Commerce offers a free PDF guide and resources through its U.S. Commercial Service to help businesses efficiently manage the intricacies of exporting, ensuring proper documentation and preventing costly mistakes for global expansion.
Key takeaways
Prioritize clear communication with international buyers regarding who is responsible for shipping, insurance, and tariffs to avoid refused shipments and customer dissatisfaction.
Utilize harmonized numbers and origin country information on commercial invoices for accurate tariff calculation by foreign customs.
Consider integrating third-party service providers (e.g., Bongo US, Global Shopex) to accurately calculate landed costs, including product price, shipping, insurance, and tariffs, at checkout.
View exporting not just as selling to a new territory, but as a new way of doing business that requires updated processes, data collection, and specialized training to comply with international laws.
Many ecommerce merchants want to sell products to consumers in other countries. But the process is not as easy as selling domestically. The complexities can include tariffs, customs and export laws. But for United States’ based merchants, the U.S. Department of Commerce can help. That department has just published a free PDF guide to help merchants with export sales. And the official responsible for the guide is with us in this interview. He’s Ken Walsh, International Trade Specialist with th...
Frequently asked about this episode
What does this episode say about export compliance?
Prioritize clear communication with international buyers regarding who is responsible for shipping, insurance, and tariffs to avoid refused shipments and customer dissatisfaction.
What does this episode say about global expansion?
Utilize harmonized numbers and origin country information on commercial invoices for accurate tariff calculation by foreign customs.
What does this episode say about international ecommerce?
Consider integrating third-party service providers (e.g., Bongo US, Global Shopex) to accurately calculate landed costs, including product price, shipping, insurance, and tariffs, at checkout.
What does this episode say about export compliance?
View exporting not just as selling to a new territory, but as a new way of doing business that requires updated processes, data collection, and specialized training to comply with international laws.
