Plans international selling strategies with localization, shipping, duties/taxes, and compliance considerations.
Use this skill when you need to:
DO NOT use this skill for domestic expansion, import/wholesale purchasing, or setting up a physical retail presence abroad. This is for online sellers shipping products internationally.
INTERNATIONAL SELLING IS NOT JUST ADDING COUNTRIES TO YOUR SHIPPING ZONES — IT REQUIRES LOCALIZED PRICING, CLEAR DUTY EXPECTATIONS, AND TRUST-BUILDING FOR BUYERS WHO CANNOT TOUCH YOUR PRODUCT.
| Input |
|---|
| What to Ask |
|---|
| Default |
|---|
| Current market | "Where do you sell now?" | United States |
| Target markets | "Which countries or regions do you want to sell into?" | No default — must be provided |
| Product category | "What do you sell? Any restricted or regulated items?" | No default — must be provided |
| Average order value | "What is your typical order value?" | $50-100 |
| Current international orders | "Do you already get international inquiries or orders?" | Occasionally, but no structured approach |
GATE: Confirm target markets and product details before planning.
| Element | Action |
|---|---|
| Language | Translate key pages (product, checkout, FAQ, returns) — do not rely on auto-translate |
| Measurements | Convert to metric system for non-US markets |
| Date formats | Use DD/MM/YYYY for most international markets |
| Payment methods | Add local options (iDEAL for Netherlands, Klarna for EU, etc.) |
| Trust signals | Display local trust badges, reviews from local buyers |
Rank target markets by these criteria:
| Method | Speed | Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard international mail | 2-4 weeks | Low | Low-value items, testing markets |
| International express (DHL, FedEx, UPS) | 3-7 days | High | High-value items, premium experience |
| Regional fulfillment center | 2-5 days | Medium | High-volume markets (use 3PL in-country) |
| Marketplace fulfillment (FBA, etc.) | 1-3 days | Medium | Already selling on that marketplace |
## Duties & Tax Considerations
**DDP vs. DDU:**
- DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) — you pay duties upfront, customer gets no surprise fees ✓
- DDU (Delivered Duty Unpaid) — customer pays duties on delivery, causes refusals and complaints ✗
**Key thresholds (examples — verify current rates):**
- EU: VAT on all goods, IOSS for items under €150
- UK: VAT on all goods, duty on items over £135
- Canada: De minimis $20 CAD (very low — most orders incur duty)
- Australia: GST on all goods sold by overseas vendors with $75K+ AUD revenue
**HS codes:** Classify products with correct Harmonized System codes for accurate duty calculation
Every international shipment needs:
| Metric | Target |
|---|---|
| International revenue as % of total | 10-30% within first year |
| International order return rate | Under 5% |
| Customs clearance issue rate | Under 2% of shipments |
| Customer satisfaction by market | On par with domestic ratings |