Going Global: Entering International Ecommerce

Posted Jan 24, 2019

Entering new markets and capitalizing on international ecommerce buying power can be lucrative, but only if done well. From pinpointing demand, varied and localized marketplaces, to differing distribution models, it can be challenging to get international ecommerce right since:

• Cross-border sales volume varies by region
• Regions differ with varying degrees of market saturation
• What consumers buy online varies by region
• The regulatory framework and customs requirements differ by location
• Duties, taxes, and diminimus levels vary widely and sanctions are on the rise

Beyond this, consumer expectations are high across the board and customers want accurate landed costs. According to International Post Corporation (IPC), 93% of consumers want to know the full cost of delivery before purchase. Consumers also now expect easy returns and require full visibility to their shipments as product crosses borders.

In this environment, businesses must make intelligent choices when entering the world of international ecommerce. They must not only display accurate landed cost, but be strategic in their approach to global ecommerce and carefully evaluate the right market fit. Companies need to adapt their own operations to meet consumer demand and must also:

• Optimize and select appropriate sales channels and marketplaces
• Develop an effective and feasible return policy
• Determine the right intralogistics, pick and pack strategy
• Continuously vet, evaluate, and locate reliable suppliers
• Determine which method to use when classifying goods

With so many factors to consider when approaching international ecommerce, we have developed a web seminar to help make sense of it all. Join us on Tuesday, January 29 at 2 pm ET as ecommerce expert Johannes Panzer and I explore:

• The two fundamentals to international ecommerce success
• How to effectively locate demand for your products
• The latest industry statistics and supply chain strategies
• Why accurate landed cost matters and how to get it right prior to checkout
• How to select the right distribution model and shipping strategy
• And more

­­­How Descartes Can Help in International Ecommerce

Descartes simplifies the complexities of international ecommerce. Our solutions can help businesses find new markets, source new suppliers, comply with customs regulations, avoid transacting with restricted parties, optimize processes in the warehouse, ship internationally, and much more. Our solutions can help online retailers:

• Better determine landed cost prior to shipment
• Keep pace with continuously changing duties, tariffs, and taxes
• Ensure goods are classified correctly to avoid issues and customs delays
• Get the best international rates for shipments going abroad
• Stream data into systems ecommerce marketplaces worldwide
• Leverage easy-to-use, proven pick, pack, ship processes to scale & grow revenue
• Improve communication with automated e-mail notifications
• Deploy end-to-end barcode-driven technology from receipt of goods to parcel shipment
• Enable efficient returns, cross-docking & inbound logistics handling with mobile devices & smartphones

Learn more about Descartes solutions for international ecommerce or contact us to learn more.