How to overcome Cross-Border Shipping Challenges for Print Shops

Blog Summary: Are you avoiding cross-border shipping? Well, now you don’t have to anymore. Yes, it can be tricky, but with the right strategies, online print businesses can overcome challenges like customs, costs, and delays to expand internationally. So, get to know more about how to face the challenges and tap into the true business potential.

Did you know that the B2C global cross-border eCommerce market is expected to reach $7.9 trillion by 2030? Businesses, including online print shops, are seizing the opportunity to expand their reach internationally as online shopping continues to transcend borders. However, along with a larger customer base comes a range of complex shipping challenges.

As the delicate nature of printed materials and the nuances of international shipping regulations demand careful attention, the logistical hurdles are particularly tricky for print businesses. From customs compliance to unpredictable delivery times and high shipping costs, these challenges can overwhelm unprepared businesses, especially if they don’t use a modern web-to-print solution.

In this blog, we will explore the key cross-border shipping challenges that online print shops face and provide practical tips to help overcome them, ensuring smooth international operations and satisfied customers.

Why Is Cross-Border Shipping so Challenging?

When you have to ship your print products overseas, you have to consider a lot of factors that affect the business, such as trade laws, geopolitics, climate, and many other unpredictable variables.

These reasons already make cross-border shipping challenging, let alone the business aspects of cross-border shipping. In some cases, it is just not feasible to ship like you don’t want to ship a shirt to a different continent. After sorting out all these hurdles when you finally offer your custom printing services offshore, there are still operational challenges waiting for you.

So, let’s discuss the most common business challenges that you might have to face, as a custom print business, if you want to ship your printed product overseas.

Common Cross-Border Shipping Challenges for Online Print Shops

Every custom print business that deals with international customers has to face some of the cross-border shipping challenges if not all. Thus, if you are ready to ship your printed products overseas, here are the most common cross-border shipping challenges to get you prepared.

Challenge #1: Complying with Regulatory and Custom Laws

Shipping printed goods across borders involves a variety of customs forms and compliance with the regulations of both the export and import countries. These formalities are strict and tricky too. Any misstep can result in delayed shipments, fines, or even confiscation of the shipment.

Moreover, notifying customers about the exact shipping tariffs, duties, and taxes is difficult because variables like fuel surcharges or fluctuating currency exchange rates make calculating these cross-border shipping costs difficult to predict. This might make customers interpret it as a hidden charge eventually leading to dissatisfaction or confusion when the final charges appear.

When it comes to customs laws, some countries have restrictions on certain types of printed materials (e.g., politically sensitive content, controversial imagery, or copyrighted works). You must ensure that your printed products do not violate any local laws or regulations.

Challenge #2: Bearing Higher Shipping Cost

It goes without saying that cross-border shipping is generally more expensive than domestic shipping. These higher costs can eat into profit margins for online printing businesses, especially if they are offering free or low-cost shipping as part of their business model.

That is why catering to every overseas order is not feasible for the business.

Challenge #3: Expecting Delivery Time and Managing Delays

International shipping can take anywhere from several days to weeks, depending on the destination. This becomes a hurdle for time-sensitive projects, such as promotional materials or event signage.

Unforeseen scenarios, factors like strikes, customs inspections, or supply chain disruptions can all cause unexpected delays in delivery, which can be particularly frustrating for customers who are working with tight deadlines. Moreover, if the delivery is delayed beyond the event, there is no point, and you might have to cancel the purchase which is a huge cost to the business.

Challenge #4: Streamlining Logistics and Tracking the Shipment

Managing cross-border shipments involves coordinating with multiple carriers and understanding the tracking systems of each region. This might restrict customers’ visibility into the shipping process, which can bring down the customer experience. Due to the uncertainty caused by a lack of information on the order status, customers tend to call the support team which increases the workload on the customer support team.

Challenge #5: Adjusting to Currency Exchange and Payment Processing

Dealing with different currencies can add complexity, as fluctuations in exchange rates may affect pricing and profitability. Businesses need to decide whether to absorb these fluctuations or pass them on to customers.

Moreover, supporting international payments on your storefront is not as simple as it sounds. International customers may face difficulties with payment processing due to different payment methods, security concerns, or challenges related to fraud prevention.

Challenge #6: Refunding Return Orders for Customer Satisfaction

Handling returns across borders can be complex and costly. Many countries have different consumer protection laws regarding returns and refunds, which can create legal challenges for your business to process returns and refunds for customer satisfaction.

Overseas shipments face greater risks due to longer transit times and handling across different borders. This results in higher return rates or the need for replacements which incurs additional costs.

Challenge #7: Adapting to Local Markets and Customer Behavior

Understanding and adapting to the preferences of customers in different regions (e.g., paper type, print finishes, design preferences) can be a challenge. Businesses need to be aware of local trends and preferences to meet customer expectations.

Other than that, offering localized websites, customer support, and print products in multiple languages can be a significant challenge, especially for smaller online printing businesses that may lack the resources to fully internationalize.

Challenge #8: Following Sustainability and Environmental Impact Guidelines

Some countries have strict environmental policies, which may require businesses to comply with specific standards related to packaging, waste disposal, or carbon emissions from shipping. This makes it harder for you to keep up with all the guidelines of various countries simultaneously. And sometimes guidelines of one country can be contradictory to another’s too.

Challenge #9: Assuring Safety and Security of the Printed Goods

Cross-border shipments are often subject to a greater risk of theft or loss, especially if high-value or limited-edition prints are involved. So, the need for additional security measures like insurance, signature-required delivery, or enhanced tracking becomes more important to mitigate the risk of theft or damage.

Furthermore, large or oversized printed products are susceptible to damage during shipping and thus you have to tackle the packaging challenges as a print service provider.

Challenge #10: Balancing a Seamless Supply Chain

Managing stock levels for international orders is a complex process, especially if certain printed materials or custom designs need to be produced in a different location to meet demand. Using third-party fulfillment services to handle international shipping can introduce additional complexities.

Therefore, coordination with multiple logistics partners across different countries requires solid communication and trust, which can be difficult to maintain.

Tips for Avoiding Cross-Border Shipping Challenges

No doubt cross-border shipping for online print shops is not easy, but with the right strategies, you can minimize the risks and keep your business running smoothly. So, we have come up with some practical tips to help you navigate these challenges and ensure your international customers receive their orders on time and in perfect condition.

Let’s have a look over them.

Tip #1: Stay Up to Date on Customs and Regulatory Requirements

To avoid delays and costly fines, it is essential to stay informed about the customs and regulatory requirements for each country you are shipping to. Ensure that your team is well-versed in the necessary paperwork and documentation, such as commercial invoices, certificates of origin, and export declarations. Working with a customs broker can help ensure compliance, especially for complex shipments.

Tip #2: Provide Clear Shipping Cost Estimates and Transparent Pricing

Accurate shipping cost estimates are crucial for maintaining customer satisfaction. Make sure your online store clearly communicates the costs associated with international shipping, including duties, taxes, and any other additional fees. Use advanced print estimating software to calculate these costs automatically based on the destination to help avoid unexpected surprises for your customers.

Tip #3: Optimize Packaging for International Shipments

Packaging is key to protecting your printed goods during international transit. Choose packaging materials that provide sufficient protection for delicate prints, such as sturdy cardboard tubes for posters or reinforced boxes for larger prints. Consider using foam inserts, bubble wrap, or other protective materials to safeguard against damage.

Tip #4: Offer Multiple Payment Options and Address Currency Issues

To streamline the payment process for international customers, offer multiple payment methods that are popular in different regions, such as credit cards, PayPal, and regional payment gateways. This can help reduce the friction customers might experience when making a purchase.

Tip #5: Communicate Clearly with Customers About Delivery Expectations

International shipping comes with a higher risk of delays, and it is essential to manage your customers' expectations from the start. Be upfront about estimated delivery times and potential customs delays and offer regular tracking updates so customers can monitor their orders. Clear communication throughout the process will help build trust and reduce customer frustration.

Tip #6: Invest in a Reliable Logistics Network and Tracking System

Invest in a robust print order management system that provides visibility into each stage of the shipment’s journey. This will help you and your customers stay informed in case of delays or issues, and it can also help resolve disputes more quickly.

Tip #7: Consider Offering Eco-Friendly Shipping Options

As sustainability becomes an increasing priority for consumers, offering eco-friendly shipping options can not only help attract environmentally conscious customers but can also reduce the carbon footprint of your business. Therefore, consider using recyclable or biodegradable packaging materials wherever possible. This not only helps with sustainability but can also enhance your brand’s reputation.

Tip #8: Be Prepared for Returns and International Refunds

Handling returns for international orders can be more complicated and expensive than domestic returns. Make sure your return policy is clear and easy to understand for international customers, outlining the process for returns, who covers the cost of shipping, and the timeline for refunds. Whenever possible, consider offering a store credit option instead of refunds to reduce the logistical burden.

Tip #9: Localize Your Website and Customer Support

To enhance the international customer experience, consider localizing your website and customer service to meet the needs of different markets. This might include offering multiple languages, adjusting your site to reflect local currencies, and tailoring your product offerings to regional preferences.

Other than providing customer support in different time zones, or with multilingual agents, understanding the importance of multilingual and multi-currency storefronts can also help you address issues faster and build stronger relationships with customers across borders.

By considering these tips and planning ahead, you can avoid many of the common cross-border shipping pitfalls and ensure a smooth experience for both your business and your customers.

ConclusionExpanding your online print shop internationally offers great potential but comes with challenges like customs, shipping costs, and delivery delays. By preparing with transparent pricing, reliable packaging, clear communication, and a strong logistics network, you can overcome these hurdles. With the leading web-to-print solution and the right strategy, you will ensure smooth cross-border shipping and satisfy customers worldwide.Moreover, if you are finding it tough to handle global print orders, you need to automate it with extensive print order management software like the one from OnPrintShop. It will help you manage your print shop right from accepting orders to shipping orders. So, book a live demo and see how it transforms your print shop workflow specifically.