International shipping should be an option for every business, and our partner GlobalPost is working to simplify the process. GlobalPost partners with over 200 carriers globally to find the best route for your packages and better support the last mile of your package’s journey. GlobalPost Plus is an additional solution aimed at simplifying international shipping to eligible countries, and it is currently accessible to all Stamps.com merchants.
What is GlobalPost Plus?
GlobalPost Plus is available for shipping to Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Mexico, New Zealand, and the UK. GlobalPost directly coordinates with your destination country’s customs office to pre-clear your shipments. This expedites the process, which helps your shipments be quickly delivered to customers. GlobalPost Plus also enables you to pay the taxes and duties in place of your customers, preventing any surprises for customers and/or returned packages.
Canada DDP
When shipping to Canada, Stamps.com customers can use Canada Delivery Duty Paid or DDP. Canada DDP allows you to prepay the taxes and duties on a shipment for a flat fee. This way, your customers don’t have to pay these fees when their packages arrive. Canada DDP can be used for shipments weighing up to four pounds that are shipped using First-Class Mail International®, Priority Mail International®, and Priority Mail International Express®. The flat rate fee for First-Class Mail International® is $7.95, and the flat fee for Priority Mail International® and Priority Mail International Express® is $9.95.
The benefits of international shipping
Considering international shipping for your business is valuable, as it exposes your products to a broader audience. In fact, our recent study with Retail Economics found that 53% of merchants use online marketplaces to reach a broader audience; imagine what could happen if you also offer shipping to international customers. Additionally, international holidays lead to more sales and promotional opportunities to build your audience.
Add your customer’s name and address, as well as the weight of your shipment.
Select the Carrier drop-down menu and find GlobalPost.
Click on GlobalPost Plus on the Service drop-down menu.
Underneath the Service drop-down menu, select the Edit Form button.
Fill out your customs form.
Select Ok.
Print your label!*
*Note: The Ship-To address will show a domestic address because shipments are sent to the closest GlobalPost Domestic Shipping Center for distribution.
International shipping is only a matter of clicks away. Expanding to a larger market is an option for your business, and services like GlobalPost Plus prove that gaining more customers doesn’t have to mean your business gains more work. GlobalPost supports merchants by adding HS codes to your customs forms based on the information provided, and their support team is available to help with any questions you may have along the way. Start shipping around the globe with the help of GlobalPost and Stamps.com.
Start shipping internationally with the help of Stamps.com and GlobalPost today.
International shipping should never be a hindrance for small businesses. That’s why Stamps.com offers GlobalPost as a carrier option for our customers! GlobalPost is committed to modernizing and simplifying the international shipping process, so your small business can focus on expanding to other markets with ease.
Available GlobalPost services
GlobalPost provides Stamps.com merchants with two carrier service options: GlobalPost International Economy and GlobalPost International Standard. Each of these services comes with its own set of benefits, including tracking. GlobalPost International Economy shipments can be tracked up to clearing US customs, and GlobalPost International Standard shipments can be tracked throughout their entire journey. A breakdown of each service can be found in the table below.
GlobalPost International Economy
GlobalPost International Standard
Weight Limit Per Package
4.4 pounds
Up to 70 pounds
Package Types
Flats up to 16 ounces and Packages up to 4.4 pounds*
Packages up to 70 pounds*
Transit
10-14 days
8-12 days
Tracking
Door-to-country
Door-to-door
Max Value of Goods
$400
Varies by country
Free Coverage
Not included
Up to $100 in loss or damages, plus shipping cost
Duties and Taxes
Paid by buyer
Paid by buyer
*Note: Weights are rounded to the nearest pound, so packages over the weights listed will be considered too heavy for these services.
Canada DDP
Additionally, merchants using Stamps.com can use Canada DDP for shipments to Canada. Canada DDP allows you to pay a flat fee of $7.95 for Priority Mail International® and Priority Mail Express International® and $9.95 for USPS First Class Mail International® shipments, so your customers don’t have to pay taxes and duties when a shipment arrives. You also won’t need to print separate customs forms; just include all of the information needed when purchasing your label!
Note: Flat Rate boxes can’t be used with Canada DDP.
GlobalPost features and benefits
GlobalPost works with an extensive network of partners to find the best route for your package and take the stress off merchants and customers alike. Additionally, GlobalPost provides merchants with a Free HS Code Classification Service; as long as all of the correct information is entered with your shipment, GlobalPost will automatically include the HS codes for products.
When using GlobalPost, you’ll also have access to:
Fewer service disruptions with your international shipping
A free duty calculator to calculate taxes and duties for international shipments
No printed customs forms – just include all necessary information when creating a label
Free customer support, Monday through Friday from 6AM-6PM PT, via email or phone 888-899-1255
Whether you’re shipping internationally for the first time or the millionth, GlobalPost will help your small business streamline the process. GlobalPost is available as a carrier option to Stamps.com merchants, so it’s easily incorporated into your international shipping process. Grow your small business without growing your worries, and let GlobalPost help you ship around the world!
Try GlobalPost today with a 30-day free trial to Stamps.com.
International shipping can feel like a barrier for many businesses, especially when it comes to determining how to pay duties and taxes. If duties and taxes aren’t paid in advance, your customers will be responsible for the cost when their shipment arrives. Additionally, packages with unpaid taxes and duties can be delayed in customs or returned for lack of payment or being left with the carrier for too long. However, we have a solution for you! Stamps.com provides your business with a way to pay Canadian taxes and duties with Canada DDP.
What is DDP?
DDP stands for Delivered Duty Paid. All DDP means is that your business pays the duties and taxes for a shipment, so customers don’t have to pay when their package arrives.
The Benefits of Canada DDP
Canada DDP can be used with USPS First Class Mail International®, Priority Mail International®*, and Priority Mail Express International®* shipments. The flat fee for using Canada DDP is $7.95 for USPS First Class Mail International® and $9.95 for Priority Mail International® and Priority Mail Express International®. This fee will be included with the cost of your label, so there’s no need to worry about adjusting your shipping process. Also, shipments using Canada DDP don’t need printed customs forms, as all of the information needed is included with your label.
*Priority Mail International Medium and Large Flat Rate Boxes aren’t eligible for Canada DDP, so other types of packaging will need to be used.
Value Limits for Canada DDP
One thing to note is shipments using Canada DDP have a value limit, meaning the total cost of the items in your shipment can’t pass a certain monetary amount. The value limits for each service can be found below.
First-Class Mail International® – value up to $400
Priority Mail International® – value up to $2,500
Priority Mail Express International® – value up to $2,500
How to use Canada DDP
Once you’ve filled out the customs information for a Canadian shipment, select the Duties/Taxes drop-down menu. Click Prepay Duties and Taxes and print your label.
Note: This is how the screen will appear for First Class Mail International® shipments.
Note: This is how the screen will appear for Priority Mail International® and Priority Mail Express International® shipments.
Conclusion
It takes a split second to take the responsibility of paying taxes and duties from your customers. The flat fee for Canada DDP is included with the cost of your shipping label, so you won’t be taken to another payment screen. Canada DDP is available to all Stamps.com customers, so you can start using this feature on your next Canadian shipment. Adding Canada DDP is only a couple of clicks away!
Simplify international shipping with a 30-day free trial to Stamps.com.
How can you reach a wider audience and increase sales? Try shipping internationally! Your products are amazing, and more customers should see what your business has to offer. International shipping may require a slightly different shipping process than domestic shipping. However, international shipping is a way to boost sales, and we’ll show you the steps needed to create an international shipping process.
1) Check for international shipping restrictions
Much like domestic shipping, international shipping comes with a set of restrictions and guidelines. International shipping restrictions may vary from carrier to carrier and by whether your shipment will be traveling by air or ground-based carrier services. Each carrier’s shipping restrictions can be found on their website. For more information about international shipping restrictions, contact your carrier directly.
Once you’ve reviewed the international shipping restrictions applicable to the products your business ships, communicate these guidelines with customers. Explaining international shipping limitations to your customers during the checkout process will create a more pleasant shipping experience. Also, knowing international shipping restrictions keeps shipments from being returned and/or your business from receiving penalties.
2) Decide how taxes and duties will be paid
Before we talk about paying taxes and duties, let’s discuss the difference between the two. Duties are additional costs given to specific products as they enter specific countries. Duties are imposed on items that can compete with items created within the country. For example, if you’re shipping coffee to a country known for selling coffee, especially at a higher price, the duties added will be greater for this product. Taxes are given to a product based on its overall cost and the amount of taxes on a product will vary from country to country.
If you’re shipping to the UK or the EU, customs forms will need VAT (Value Added Tax) and IOSS (Import One-Stop-Shop) numbers. VAT is determined by a product’s cost, minus any components of the product that have already been taxed. IOSS is a business-specific number given by your store of marketplace and choice. IOSS gives your business the opportunity to pay VAT instead of having the financial responsibility fall on your customers when their package is delivered. VAT and IOSS numbers are tax ID numbers and help determine:
How the taxes and duties will be calculated
When the taxes and duties will be paid in the shipping process
Who will pay or has paid the taxes and duties
Note: The screens pictured may change as international shipping requirements are updated.
3) Familiarize yourself with customs forms
Customs forms are additional pieces of documentation attached to your shipments. These forms can be physically or electronically submitted, depending on the carrier used. Customs forms include information about the content of your package and help your shipment move through customs offices faster.
As we mentioned earlier, packages headed to the UK or the EU will need VAT (Value Added Tax) and IOSS (Import One-Stop-Shop) numbers on the customs forms. Additionally, shipments passing through or going directly to most countries in the EU will be required to have Harmonized or HS codes. HS codes are six-digit codes used to represent a product and its attributes. HS codes are also universal, so assigning them to products helps to bypass potential language barriers.
Note: Shipments to Puerto Rico and military addresses are considered domestic shipments but will need customs forms.
4) Utilize international carriers like GlobalPost
Our partner carrier, GlobalPost, provides merchants with an efficient international carrier service. GlobalPost works with carriers across the globe to decrease shipping delays and get packages to your customers safely. When using their GlobalPost Standard International service, you can expect:
Door-to-door tracking
Up to $100 in parcel coverage for loss and damages, including the shipping cost
Free HS Code Fulfillment Service that allocates the right tariff code to your parcels
No customs forms to print
5) Create an international shipping label with Stamps.com Online
Click the Mail tab on your dashboard.
Select your label/paper size from the Print On drop-down menu.
Use the Mail To drop-down menu to choose the destination.
Enter the recipient’s address manually or from your Stamps.com Contacts list.
Weigh your shipping materials. If using your connected Stamps.com Postal Scale, the package’s weight will show automatically.* Then weigh each individual item within your box. You’ll need these weights for the customs forms later on.
*Note: Confirm the Auto box next to your item’s displayed weight is checked.
Pick a USPS international service option from the Service drop-down menu. Only options available to the destination country will be shown.
Purchase additional insurance, especially for high-value packages.
Click Edit Form in the Customs section.
Select the best description for the items you’re shipping from the Package Contents menu.
Click the Non-Delivery Options menu and select your preference.
Enter an International Transaction # if applicable.
Select the Add Item option.
Here, you’ll add your product’s description, the quantity of the item, as well as the item’s weight and value. You’ll repeat this process for each item in the package. If you need to add a description, remember to be specific for shipments traveling through or to the EU. Avoid general descriptions like “clothing” or “electronics.” Shipments through and to the EU will also need HS codes added. A complete list of customs requirements for each USPS mail class can be found in our Learning Center.
Agree to the USPS Privacy Act Statement and Restrictions and Prohibitions and click Save.
Edit your international shipment’s mail date if the package will not be shipped on the same day the label is created.
Leave the Hide Postage Value box checked.
Select Print Receipt if you’d like a printed copy of your receipt when your label is printed.
Create a Reference Number for the Stamps.com Print History files.
Select or create a cost code as needed.
For new merchants, we recommend printing a sample first. Once you’ve confirmed the test print is correct, hit Print Postage.
If you notice incorrect information on your label after printing, click the Reprint button on your screen. One big thing to note is you’ll have one opportunity to reprint.
For instructions on creating an international label through Stamps.com’s PC Software, visit our Learning Center.
Conclusion
You’ve learned how to evade negative shopping experiences for your customers by communicating shipping restrictions. You understand how to complete customs forms and decrease the chance of shipping delays. You’ve found international shipping options with carriers like GlobalPost and walked through creating international labels on Stamps.com. Now, you’re officially ready to open your store to global customers!
Starting July 1, 2021, all commercial goods destined for the European Union (EU) are subject to Value Added Tax (VAT). This applies to deliveries of any value, including those below 22 euros (estimated $26). To help online retailers manage this tax collecting process, the EU member countries created the Import One-Stop Shop (IOSS), an electronic portal for online retailers to comply with the new VAT rules. After registering for an IOSS account, you will receive an IOSS tax identification number which should be inputted on all Customs Forms for your packages.
First 90 Days – How is the IOSS Working? Stamps.com Customer Care has been monitoring the deliveries to the EU very closely since July 1, 2021. Overall, most packages have included the new IOSS information and packages are being delivered. We have discovered some shippers are inputting VAT/IOSS information incorrectly in the Stamps.com software interface, which is creating unnecessary duty and tax bills for shipments.
Customer Care has also noticed many shippers are NOT inputting IOSS numbers on low value orders, which is now required. This action pushes the responsibility of delivery fees, duties and taxes to the package recipient. If the recipient does not want to pay these extra charges, the package will be returned to sender.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR INPUTTING VAT/IOSS NUMBERS INTO CUSTOMS FORMS USING STAMPS.COM
Stamps.com Software
1) From the “International” tab, input the delivery address and package details. 2) In the “Customs” section, please click on the “Edit Form”. 3) Input your IOSS tax identification number in the designated field. Finish by clicking “Add Item” (on far right side) and then “OK”
Stamps.com Website
#1 Input the international delivery address and select the carrier info for the label. #2 In the “Contents” section, click on “Customs Form” button. #3 Input your IOSS tax identification number in the designated field. Finish inputting the item description and click “Add item”.
Important information to remember:
For orders being delivered to the United Kingdom, “IOSS #” field will be labeled “VAT #” in the Customs Form.
If you are selling through a marketplace, such as eBay or Amazon, be sure to include that marketplace’s IOSS number in the Customs Form. If you do not, the receiving EU country will assume VAT has not been collected.
LEGAL DISCLAIMER
The content on this blog is "as is" and carries no warranties. Stamps.com does not warrant or guarantee the accuracy, reliability, completeness, usefulness, or quality of any content on the blogs, regardless of who originates that content.
