Shippers from Canada - especially online sellers - are seeking for ways to ship direct to the UK and European Union. Accessing Euro-domestic carriers is often the best way for online sellers to "localize" their offer and ship direct to the EU and UK. Industry experts estimated that over 20% of online traffic to Canadian e-commerce sites come from international visitors. Canadian companies can rely on Jet Worldwide for world class, low cost international delivery.
Companies in North America seeking delivery solutions in Europe should look beyond the duopoly of FedEx and UPS. Although they dominate in North America, there are a dozens of credible options as distinct European domestic markets.
The term international courier can be somewhat misleading as delivery to Europe involves customs clearance but the "euro-domestic" delivery can operate as a customs free zone.
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In this blog, we review:
- Last Mile Carrier delivery options in Europe
- Strategies for Building international e-commerce sales from Canada
Euro-domestic distribution is stronger than ever with national post offices taking a lead role in their respective countries and operating alternative networks across the EU. Royal Mail, La poste, and Deutsche Post all operate large parcel logistics carriers including DPD, DHL, GLS and Parcel Force. This is in addition to tradition parcel mail connections. In addition, there are private carriers that add to the competition including Hermes in Germany.
Hermes is Germany's largest post-independent logistics service provider for deliveries to private customers.
Jet Worldwide, itself formerly owned by LaPoste, has unique knowledge of Europe to help Canadian companies and American companies find a cost effective solution.
List of Leading European Carriers for Last Mile Delivery
Europe has many large parcel carriers that often specialize within each country. Many of the domestic carriers are part of larger parcel networks. This list below includes the leading European parcel carriers:
- DHL: The best known brand and largest European carriers and a subsidiary of Deutsche Post.
- DPD: Owned by French La Poste Group and a subsidiary of Geopost
- GLS: A subsidiary of Parcel Force and Royal Mail
- Hermes: A leading German carrier specializing in final mile delivery
- Postal Services: All European postal services have competitive last mile delivery solutions in the local market.
Shipping Direct to the EU for Cross Border E-commerce
It is difficult to ship direct order cross border e-commerce direct to the EU as they have a low de minimis value (20 Euros) and will subject all parcels to VAT. Jet works with companies to set up EU parcel distribution from France to the entire EU via low cost euro-domestic distribution.
Contact our team with details of your volumes and we will provide feedback on how we may be able to assist.
Shipping Canadian Shopify Orders to the EU
Jet Worldwide is developing international shipping solutions for Shopify, Canada's leading e-commerce platform. Building on Jet Worldwide’s decades of Canadian cross-border parcel shipping experience, our team is currently developing Shopify-integrated solutions for shipping to the entire EU, allowing businesses to “self-fulfill” their orders.
For updates on the latest international shipping solutions for Canadian online orders, connect with Jet Worldwide’s e-commerce team for shipping to the European Union.
Shipping online orders direct Canada to Europe via Jet Worldwide
- Jet Worldwide is a trusted brand that has been providing international shipping solutions for over 35 years.
- Jet Worldwide provides options for shipping between Canada and Europe (and UK) for parcels, pallets and online orders.
- Jet Worldwide offers transparency and world class logistics support. We are not shy about recommending alternative solutions as necessary.
Canadian e-commerce cross-border sales are projected to grow much more than domestic e-commerce growth. But, while simply selling across borders can be managed by platform tools provided by Shopify and others, a key tool is having access to low cost international delivery.
Successful international e-commerce means diversifying to innovative delivery networks direct from Canada.
Shipping International Online Sales from Canada
When selling to multiple markets, you have to take into account regional variances like shipping, taxes, and duties, making profit margins difficult to determine. Shopify provides the capability to set prices adjustments by country or region.
Via Shopify and other platforms, product prices can be adjusted by percentage or country, or you can set specific prices for your inventory, eliminating reliance on foreign exchange rates. You can also set the exchange rate manually for even greater control over your product pricing. You can even include or exclude taxes upfront based on a customer's region—helping you avoid giving your customers sticker shock.
Targeting e-commerce Regions to Sell To:
Regional nuances like shipping, taxes, and duties (which is now more important than ever for sellers to and from the UK, thanks to Brexit’s new regulations), you can better cater to each new market.
Presenting Prices in Local Currency and Delivery by Local Carriers
One of the easiest ways to build trust from international visitors is by including payment and local currency and delivery by local carriers. Earning the trust of new international visitors is key.
Multiple languages
Naturally, customers are most comfortable shopping in their own language and Canadian sellers - especially those in Quebec - often already have multiple lingual site. Research shows that over 40% of of Europeans only purchase products and services in their local language.
With Shopify Plus, you can sell in up to 20 languages with a supported third-party language translation app, so it won't be long before you're speaking your customer's language.
International Domains and Localized Delivery for Canadian Sellers
If a customer perceives shipping as being slow,they’re more likely to abandon their cart. One indication that shipping might be slow? When they see a domain name based overseas and shipping is via Canada Post or other North American carrier.
Utilizing international domains and shipping direct via local carriers, you can expand your business to global audiences.
Geolocation: Customized Experienced for Global Markets
Personalization is a proven method for building trust and sales.Foreign customers visiting your store will appreciate seeing local currency and delivery options. With Geolocation services, you can make a great first impression by immediately welcoming customers and showing respect for their local language, carriers and presence.
Sellers can install Shopify’s free Geolocation appin Shopify Payments. Designed to serve international customers so they can browse and buy faster, this feature offers shoppers language and country recommendations based on their geographic location or browser settings, which can be changed at any time.
Get started with optimizing your store for international customers
Localizing and personalizing your ecommerce site for international visitors is about building trust by removing barriers by making the transactions frictionless. Jet helps sellers ship direct to the European Union, UK, China, Japan and all major international markets.
