Tips for cross-border shipping

There's no denying that e-commerce offers a wide range of benefits for both buyers and sellers alike. One of the biggest benefits of e-commerce is the ability to reach a global audience, but delivering the products to this audience can be quite the hassle. For businesses that are looking to expand globally, cross-border shipping is a great way to expand and test the market.  

What is cross-border shipping?

When online businesses sale their products to customers in other countries, it is referred to as cross-border e-commerce. This allows online businesses to gain access to new markets and opens up the opportunity to add customization to your products based on the local markets. You also have a ton of options when it comes to shipping your products. Some major carriers utilize ocean freight and air express as shipping methods.  

Steps to building an international shipping strategy

·Start small & close: Cross-border shipping requires more time and effort from your business versus shipping products domestically. It's recommended to start small and experiment first. Develop an understanding of what works before scaling up your business.

· Keep up with current demands: Stay current with trending products and markets where your products are growing in demand. This can give you the opportunity to stay ahead of the competition. If you are up-to-date on current demands, you can easily convert that knowledge to long-term profit.

·Leverage the right channels: You can't sell products and build exposure if consumers can't find your products. Your products need to be visible and you need to research which channels are most suitable to reach your targeted consumer and market. You should know which products are in demand, the level of competition, important e-commerce platforms, and the resources needed to localize your product information.

Logistic approaches to consider

·Effective logistics processes: Effective management is the key to success when it comes to customer satisfaction. Important parameters to keep in mind include time, transportation method, and costs. This will allow you to attain the maximum workload in the least possible time in terms of logistics.

·Understanding shipping regulations and customs: Factors such as product type, material, value, quality, and shipping location, all impact the cost of doing business for importing goods in other countries. You should have a clear understanding of the regulations for your carrier and the local market of where you want to ship products.

·Adapt and localize content: Your cross-border strategy won't be complete without shipping localized products that are ready to meet the demands of every touchpoint. This differs between carriers, channels, regions, and countries. Consumers won't purchase products if they can't understand the information that you are providing them.

·Contact cross-border carrier services to learn more: Research as much as you can when it comes to cross-border e-commerce and shipping. If you are confused about something or still need some help regarding your shipping logistics, there's nothing wrong with contacting a carrier service to learn more information. They have industry knowledge on the entire process and carriers can be very beneficial for getting you setup with your first cross-border order.

Conclusion

Cross-border shipping can be extremely beneficial for scaling your business and expanding to new markets. It's important for you to take the time to understand the international market and consider cross-border shipping according to the timeline of your growth strategy.  Partnering with a cross-border carrier such as Alibaba.com could be the right path for getting started with your cross-border shipping needs.