What Every Brand Needs To Know About Shipping Costs, Duties, And Returns For Heavy Goods — Robert Khachatryan | Why Brands Should Go Global, Why Bulky Items Add Hidden Costs, Why Taxes And Duties Matter, How Packaging Affects Shipping Costs (#423)
For ecommerce businesses selling large, bulky, or high-value products, understanding and accurately calculating international shipping costs, duties, and taxes is crucial for profitability and customer satisfaction. This episode reveals the hidden complexities and financial pitfalls of international freight for such items, offering solutions to democratize global sales without requiring brands to establish physical international presences.
Key takeaways
When selling large or high-value items, avoid offering 'free shipping' or flat-rate shipping internationally, as costs can vary drastically and lead to significant losses.
Implement technology that integrates with your shopping cart to instantly calculate and display accurate duty rates, tax rates (like VAT), and shipping options (air/ocean) for international customers to prevent unexpected costs and abandoned carts.
Before expanding internationally with large or high-value products, conduct thorough market research on product-specific regulations, compliance rules, licensing, and voltage requirements for each target country.
Partner with a logistics expert that handles customs clearance, duty and tax calculations, and fulfillment for bulky international shipments to avoid the complexities and financial risks of managing it in-house.
For brands selling unique, in-demand bulky items, or those with strong social media campaigns generating international interest, prioritize international expansion, leveraging specialized logistics partners to overcome common barriers.
Packaging choices can significantly impact international shipping costs for bulky items.
In this episode, we talk about the challenges of shipping big, bulky, and high-value products like furniture, fitness gear, and electronics. Robert Khachatryan, founder and CEO of Freight Right Global Logistics, shares how to avoid costly mistakes, handle hidden fees like taxes and duties, and make selling large items internationally simple and profitable. Topics discussed in this episode: Why bulky items add hidden costs. Why free shipping hurts margins. Why taxes and dutie...
Frequently asked about this episode
What does this episode say about cost management?
When selling large or high-value items, avoid offering 'free shipping' or flat-rate shipping internationally, as costs can vary drastically and lead to significant losses.
What does this episode say about customer experience?
Implement technology that integrates with your shopping cart to instantly calculate and display accurate duty rates, tax rates (like VAT), and shipping options (air/ocean) for international customers to prevent unexpected costs and abandoned carts.
What does this episode say about global expansion?
Before expanding internationally with large or high-value products, conduct thorough market research on product-specific regulations, compliance rules, licensing, and voltage requirements for each target country.
What does this episode say about international shipping & logistics?
Partner with a logistics expert that handles customs clearance, duty and tax calculations, and fulfillment for bulky international shipments to avoid the complexities and financial risks of managing it in-house.
What does this episode say about cost management?
For brands selling unique, in-demand bulky items, or those with strong social media campaigns generating international interest, prioritize international expansion, leveraging specialized logistics partners to overcome common barriers.
