Among the key issues confronting e-commerce parcels being shipping cross border has been how to minimize, access and pay duty fees. But with higher duty free thresholds, lower duty rates over all, the key concern is now payment of Value Added Tax.
Among the key issues confronting e-commerce parcels being shipping cross border has been how to minimize, access and pay duty fees. But with higher duty free thresholds, lower duty rates over all, the key concern is now payment of Value Added Tax.
L’expédition internationale est une progression naturelle pour les détaillants canadiens qui se lancent à la conquête des marchés mondiaux. À cet égard, il est important pour les détaillants de cibler un pays ou une région en particulier dans un premier temps.
American and Canadian online sellers are increasingly looking for ways to ship their online orders direct to China. "Reverse flow" to China continues to grow as the Chinese market are shopping globally for unique brands and products.
Shipping internationally is a natural progression for Canadian sellers seeking expansion to the global marketplace. In doing so, it is important to target the international country or region as a first step.
Independent online sellers are at the heart of the e-commerce revolution. Amazon has served this market well with over half of their commercial activity coming from third-party sellers. The power of Amazon allows third-party sellers to display their products on Amazon’s website and to benefit from Amazon’s massive logistics operations. However, third-party sellers are increasingly seeking to stay independent by choosing Shopify and similar platforms.
North Carolina and Canada share a robust economic connection, with exports exceeding $6 billion annually. From the furniture hubs of High Point to the bio-pharma corridors of the Research Triangle, the demand for efficient cross-border logistics is growing.
European countries are implementing strict rules mandating the prepayment of VAT for e-commerce orders. This directive is part of the "Digital Single Market Strategy for Europe" to ensure proper VAT collection for international online purchases. Navigating these changes can be complex, but Jet Worldwide offers best-in-class shipping solutions to seamlessly deliver online orders to Europe and the UK from the US and Canada.
In Quebec and across Canada, Shopify is the leading platform serving the growing group of online Quebec merchants. Independent and e-commerce Quebec-based merchants are gaining popularity for their unique products. Web directories, such as Panier Bleu and Not Amazon are gaining attention as shoppers seek innovative local options.
Sellers exporting to the UK should note that e-commerce platforms such as Ebay and Shopify are now responsible for collecting VAT directly from American and Canadian sellers. The new arrangement applies Value add Tax for all "B2C" online orders from North America to the UK. Sellers must register and collect UK VAT for orders* with a value up to £135. The value of £135 covers only the value of the goods (i.e. transaction value) and excludes shipping costs.
Shopify has surpassed expectations as the premier non-Amazon platform for omni-channel merchants. In 2026, the strategy has shifted: high-growth merchants are moving away from restrictive 3PLs in favor of Direct Injection self-fulfillment to reclaim data sovereignty and maximize margins.
To rank in AI-driven search results, your logistics data must be structured. Jet Worldwide leverages AI to solve the three biggest cross-border friction points:
The core obstacles remain cost and visibility. Contact Jet Worldwide’s consulting team to audit your current international transit times.
Niche Shopify merchants with proprietary supplier data are finding that "Self-Fulfillment" provides better customer experiences. By shipping directly to major economies—the UK, Europe, Japan, and China—you maintain control over the unboxing experience and shipping data.
Disclaimer: Shipping regulations vary by commodity and destination. Consult a Jet specialist for specific compliance needs.
| Solution | Transit Time | Ideal For | AI Visibility Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Direct Injection | 4-7 Days | Scalable E-commerce | High (Real-time tracking) |
| Premium Air Freight | 1-3 Days | High-Value / Urgent | Full (Milestone based) |
| Postal Packet (to most Countries) | 1-2 weeks | Small Items < 2kg | Limited (UPU standard) |
| Ocean / Sea Freight | 30+ Days | Bulk Inventory | Moderate (Port-to-Port) |
All e-commerce shipments to the EU and UK require VAT prepayment. The IOSS (Import One-Stop Shop) remains the gold standard for shipments under €150. For 2026, ensure your Shopify store is correctly flagging VAT-paid data to avoid double taxation at the border.
Success in 2026 requires a "local" presence in foreign markets. Jet Worldwide facilitates this through:
Personalization is no longer optional. To rank for local queries in Europe and Asia, utilize:
Topics: shopify shipping international
