International ecommerce offers massive growth potential—but it also comes with complex logistics, higher customer expectations, and a much smaller margin for error. A single misstep in your international shipping strategy can mean delayed orders, surprise fees, or worse: lost customers.
In this guide, we’ll explore the most common international shipping mistakes that ecommerce businesses make, why they happen, and most importantly—how to fix them.
1. Ignoring Country-Specific Shipping Regulations
The Mistake:
Assuming all countries follow the same import rules is a costly mistake in international shipping. Regulations around customs forms, prohibited items, and documentation requirements vary widely depending on the destination, which directly impacts shipping costs, delivery times, and even whether your package reaches the customer at all. Missing a required document or shipping a restricted item can cause your shipment to be delayed, returned, or destroyed—resulting in wasted money, lost products, and frustrated customers.
For example, while some countries accept digital customs documents, others require printed copies to accompany the parcel. These differences in customs processes can affect estimated delivery time and may require specific international shipping services or carriers like FedEx, UPS, or the local post office.
How to Fix It:
Research Before You Ship
Before shipping to a new international market, research:
- Prohibited or restricted items
- Duties, taxes, and de minimis thresholds
- Labeling and packaging standards
Use Shipping Tools
By using advanced shipping software that supports country-specific compliance and offers access to international services, you can save time, reduce shipping expenses, and protect your brand’s reputation while expanding into new global markets. Leverage shipping software like VESYL to ensure proper documentation per country, discounted international shipping rates and increased efficiency.
2. Underestimating Duties, Taxes, and Fees
The Mistake:
Failing to calculate or clearly communicate duties and taxes at checkout can result in costly surprises for your customers. When buyers are unexpectedly asked to pay customs fees upon delivery, it often leads to the loss of a loyal customer and damage to your brand. These negative experiences don’t just affect one shipment; they can impact long-term business growth.
To avoid sticker shock, make sure your checkout process accounts for import duties, customs documents, and accurate shipping costs.
How to Fix It:
Be Transparent at Checkout
Be transparent with customers about duties and taxes before they complete a purchase. Let them know upfront whether these fees are included in the total shipping costs. If they’re not, provide a clear breakdown of any applicable import charges so buyers aren’t hit with unexpected fees upon delivery.
To improve the customer experience, consider offering DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) shipping services. With this option, buyers pay all fees—including duties and taxes—at checkout. Not only does this simplify the process, but it can also help shorten transit times, avoid customs delays, and ensure smoother international shipments.
Integrate Landed Cost Calculators
A landed cost calculator gives customers full visibility into extra costs and can estimate all fees—including tariffs, duties, and brokerage charges—based on:
- HS codes
- Product value
- Destination country
Pro Tip: Tools like VESYL make it easy to choose between Delivered Duty Unpaid (DDU) and Delivered Duty Paid (DDP) options while you're filling out customs documents and purchasing your international shipping rates—ensuring the right duties and taxes are applied upfront.
3. Poor Packaging for International Transit
The Mistake:
International shipments often face longer transit times, multiple carrier handoffs, and exposure to varying temperatures and handling conditions across borders. Using flimsy or inadequate packaging increases the risk of damage, leading to higher return rates, lost revenue, and dissatisfied customers.
How to Fix It:
Use Durable Materials
Choose packaging that protects against crushing, moisture, and rough handling during international shipping. Avoid reusing boxes or relying on single-layer protection, especially for long transit times.
Optimize Package Size and Weight
Smaller, well-padded parcels reduce dimensional weight charges and help lower overall shipping costs—without compromising the safety of your shipment.
Include Proper Labeling
Always include:
- A clear return address
- Legible shipping labels
- Visible customs declarations (in a visible sleeve or pouch)
4. Using the Wrong Shipping Companies or International Shipping Service
The Mistake:
Choosing the wrong shipping company or international shipping service can lead to longer delivery times, higher shipping costs, and limited tracking. A carrier that works well for domestic orders may fall short when it comes to international shipments.
How to Fix It:
Compare Carrier Rates and Transit Times
Use multi-carrier shipping software to compare:
- International service levels
- Delivery speed
- Real-time discounted rates
- Insurance and tracking options
Optimize for Each Destination
What’s best for Canada may not be ideal for Australia. Use data to choose the most reliable and cost-effective carrier for each region.
Negotiate International Rates
Work with a fulfillment partner like VESYL to negotiate bulk international shipping discounts, improve margins and simplify workflows for enhanced global growth.
5. Failing to Provide End-to-End Tracking
The Mistake:
International customers expect transparency. If your package goes dark after it leaves the country, it erodes trust, increases support tickets for your CX team, and reduces repeat purchases.
How to Fix It:
Offer Door-to-Door Tracking
Choose carriers that support full international tracking, not just within the origin country. Integrate tracking into your post-purchase experience via email and customer portals.
Use Shipping Software for Updates
VESYL aggregates tracking data across multiple carriers in one dashboard, keeping your customers informed and reducing WISMO (Where Is My Order) support volume.
6. Inaccurate or Incomplete Customs Documents
The Mistake:
Missing or inaccurate customs forms delay shipments and increase the risk of packages being returned to sender. It can also lead to costly fines or penalties.
How to Fix It:
Automate Form Generation
Use a shipping platform that auto-generates customs documentation (e.g., commercial invoices, CN22/CN23 forms) based on SKU data.
Double-Check Key Fields:
- Product descriptions: Be clear and accurate
- HS codes: Use the correct 6–10 digit classification
- Declared value: Must match the invoice
Reminder: Always review the destination country’s requirements—if digital customs forms aren’t accepted, print and securely attach them to the outside of the package in a visible sleeve.
7. Not Localizing the Delivery Experience
The Mistake:
A generic shipping experience that doesn’t account for local language, currency, or delivery preferences creates friction and reduces conversions.
How to Fix It:
Localize Checkout Options
Let customers shop and check out in their local language and currency. Show shipping quotes and delivery timelines that reflect regional realities.
Offer Region-Specific Carriers or Pickup Options
In some countries, local carriers or pickup points are preferred over global couriers. Providing these options boosts trust and satisfaction.
8. Inflexible Return Policies for International Orders
The Mistake:
Ecommerce returns are inevitable—especially in certain industries. Restrictive return policies can discourage international buyers from completing a purchase, while complicated or costly return processes can hurt your brand reputation and reduce customer loyalty.
How to Fix It:
Offer Simplified Returns
Make returns easy by:
- Providing return labels
- Offering local return addresses (via 3PLs or return consolidators)
- Clearly communicating return windows and conditions
Consider Refund Alternatives
For lower-cost items, it may be more economical to issue a refund without requiring a return, depending on the destination and product value.
Top tip: VESYL simplifies returns by offering discounted return labels and QR codes, allowing customers to drop off their package directly with the carrier—no printing required.
9. Not Leveraging Fulfillment Partners with Global Expertise
The Mistake:
Trying to manage international shipping in-house can quickly become overwhelming, especially as order volume grows.
How to Fix It:
Partner with Global Fulfillment Experts
A fulfillment partner like VESYL helps streamline international operations with:
- Automated rate shopping
- Compliance support
- Carrier selection per country
- Warehouse and inventory optimization
Use Centralized Software for Visibility
Having a single platform to manage global orders, tracking, and support creates a more seamless customer experience and streamlined managment for you.
Conclusion: International Shipping Can Be a Growth Driver—If You Avoid These Mistakes
International customers are ready to buy—but only if you deliver a seamless, transparent, and affordable shipping experience. By avoiding the common mistakes above and implementing smart fixes, your ecommerce business can:
- Increase global sales
- Improve customer satisfaction
- Reduce operational headaches
VESYL helps ecommerce brands scale internationally with smart shipping software, rate comparison tools, and expert fulfillment support. Ready to stop losing international sales? Talk to our team today.
As the festive season kicks into gear, the holiday hustle is officially underway. To make sure your packages arrive on time and to keep your customers happy, we've compiled a comprehensive guide to the UPS 2024 holiday shipping deadlines. UPS Domestic Shipments
Recommended send-by dates for expected delivery before December 25th.
UPS Domestic Shipments
- UPS® Ground - Check latest schedule
- UPS 3 Day Select® - December 19th
- UPS 2nd Day Air® - December 20th
- UPS Next Day Air® - December 23rd
UPS International Shipments
Recommended send-by dates for expected delivery before December 25.
US to Canada
- UPS® Standard (From the 48 contiguous states only) - Check latest schedule
- UPS Worldwide Expedited® - December 20th
- UPS Worldwide Express® - December 23rd
US to Mexico
- UPS® Standard (From the 48 contiguous states only) - Check latest schedule
- UPS Worldwide Expedited® - December 19th
- UPS Worldwide Express® - December 20th
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us directly through the chat box on our website or at hello@VESYL.com.
The holiday season is here, bringing with it the hustle and bustle that keeps shippers busy right through to the New Year. While we can't prepare your holiday feast or wrap presents, we’re here to make shipping easy. To help you plan ahead and ensure timely deliveries, we’ve put together a complete list of the USPS 2024 holiday shipping deadlines. With these dates in mind, you can keep your customers happy and stress-free this holiday season!
2024 Holiday Shipping Dates for Contiguous U.S. (Lower 48 States)
Recommended send-by dates for expected delivery before December 25. (Excludes Alaska & Hawaii).
- USPS Ground Advantage® Service - December 18th
- First Class Mail® Service - December 18th
- Priority Mail® Service - December 18th
- Priority Mail Express® Service - December 21st
2024 Holiday Shipping Dates for Alaska & Hawaii
Recommended send-by dates for expected delivery before December 25.
USPS Ground Advantage® Service
- Alaska - December 16th
- Hawaii - December 16th
First-Class Mail® Service
- Alaska - December 18th
- Hawaii - December 18th
Priority Mail® Service
- Alaska - December 19th
- Hawaii - December 19th
Priority Mail Express® Service
- Alaska - December 20th
- Hawaii - December 20th
2024 Holiday Shipping Dates for International Mail
Recommended send-by dates for expected delivery before December 25.
Africa
- First Class Package International Service® - December 2nd
- Priority Mail International® Service - December 2nd
- Priority Mail Express International® Service - December 9th
Asia/Pacific Rim
- First Class Package International Service® - December 9th
- Priority Mail International® Service - December 9th
- Priority Mail Express International® Service - December 16th
Australia/New Zealand
- First Class Package International Service® - December 9th
- Priority Mail International® Service - December 9th
- Priority Mail Express International® Service - December 16th
Canada
- First Class Package International Service® - December 9th
- Priority Mail International® Service - December 9th
- Priority Mail Express International® Service - December 16th
Caribbean
- First Class Package International Service® - December 9th
- Priority Mail International® Service - December 9th
- Priority Mail Express International® Service - December 16th
Central & South America
- First Class Package International Service® - December 2nd
- Priority Mail International® Service - December 2nd
- Priority Mail Express International® Service - December 9th
Europe
- First Class Package International Service® - December 9th
- Priority Mail International® Service - December 9th
- Priority Mail Express International® Service - December 16th
Mexico
- First Class Package International Service® - December 9th
- Priority Mail International® Service - December 9th
- Priority Mail Express International® Service - December 16th
Middle East
- First Class Package International Service® - December 9th
- Priority Mail International® Service - December 9th
- Priority Mail Express International® Service - December 16th
2024 Holiday Shipping Dates for Military Mail
Recommended send-by dates for expected delivery before December 25.
USPS Ground Advantage® Service
- APO/FPO/DPO AE ZIPs 090-092 - November 4th
- APO/FPO/DPO AE ZIPs 093 - November 4th
- APO/FPO/DPO AE ZIPs 094-099 - November 4th
- APO/FPO/DPO AE ZIPs 340 - November 4th
- APO/FPO/DPO AE ZIPs 962-966 - November 4th
First-Class Mail® Service
- APO/FPO/DPO AE ZIPs 090-092 - December 9th
- APO/FPO/DPO AE ZIPs 093 - December 9th
- APO/FPO/DPO AE ZIPs 094-099 - December 9th
- APO/FPO/DPO AE ZIPs 340 - December 9th
- APO/FPO/DPO AE ZIPs 962-966 - December 9th
Priority Mail® Service
- APO/FPO/DPO AE ZIPs 090-092 - December 9th
- APO/FPO/DPO AE ZIPs 093 - December 9th
- APO/FPO/DPO AE ZIPs 094-099 - December 9th
- APO/FPO/DPO AE ZIPs 340 - December 9th
- APO/FPO/DPO AE ZIPs 962-966 - December 9th
Priority Mail Express Military® Service (PMEMS)
- APO/FPO/DPO AE ZIPs 090-092 - December 16th
- APO/FPO/DPO AE ZIPs 093 - N/A
- APO/FPO/DPO AE ZIPs 094-099 - December 16th
- APO/FPO/DPO AE ZIPs 340 - December 16th
- APO/FPO/DPO AE ZIPs 962-966 - December 16th
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us directly through the chat box on our website or at hello@VESYL.com.
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As the holiday season approaches, it’s important for shippers to plan ahead to ensure timely deliveries for their customers. To help you plan ahead, we’ve compiled all of the essential details regarding OSM's 2024 holiday schedules and shipping deadlines.
Holiday Schedule
OSM Worldwide will observe closures at its primary processing hubs during the following dates:
- Thanksgiving Day: Thursday, November 28, 2024
- Christmas Day: Wednesday, December 25, 2024
These closures will affect processing times, so it’s crucial to plan accordingly to avoid any delays during this peak period.
Holiday Shipping Deadlines
Domestic
- APO/FPO/OPO Mail - December 7th
- Domestic Mail (National Delivery) - December 16th
- Domestic Mail (Regional Delivery) - December 19th
International
- Africa - November 27th
- Central & South America - November 27th
- Asia/Pacific Rim - December 4th
- Australia & New Zealand - December 4th
- Canada - December 4th
- Caribbean - December 4th
- Mexico - December 4th
- Europe - December 4th
- Middle East - December 4th
For further questions, please feel free to reach out to our team through the chat box on our site or at hello@VESYL.com. Happy shipping!