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~ PostNL ~

INTERNATIONAL

E-COMMERCE

TIPS & TRICKS

FOR INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING

Text: PostNL // Photos: PostNL, Christian Lue on Unsplash

The message should have come across by now after our last articles: the international
e-commerce market is booming and keeps growing. We had PostNL international’s director
Giseke Hopstaken and general manager of Thuiswinkel.org, Marlene ten Ham, share tips
and tricks on how to prepare and make the most of the opportunities this growth can bring.

o recap this all, we have made a list for you of all international regulations. The most important rules can be
the tips & tricks we have shared. Plus, a bonus found on postnl.nl/veranderingen.
Ttip.
4. Make sure that you have excellent shipping and a
1. Know your (international) customer returns process in place
Dutch consumers, for instance, want fast delivery and do Fast delivery is less important internationally, but shoppers
not mind if their product is delivered to their neighbours. expect free shipping for high-value products. Full track &
This may not be the same for consumers in other countries. trace is also highly appreciated. This provides insight and
Due to cultural differences and preferences, the trigger to security for the buyer! Also, offer easy return options to your
buy from your website may be very different for a consumer customer.
abroad. So if you want to grow in a certain market, make
sure you know everything about the wishes and preferences 5. Ensure correct addressing
in that country. That is the determining factor for your Use the international address check for international
success. shipments. Foreign addresses often have a different order of
street, house number, postcode, district, town or region than
To help you with this, we have shared extra insights on we are used to in the Netherlands. PostNL’s Address Check
e-commerce behaviour in different countries. You will find can be used for more than 170 countries. A good address
these insights again below. This time, since it’s the last is essential for fast and accurate delivery and prevents
issue of 2022, we’ve shared information on more than one unnecessary returns.
country.
6. Pack your shipment with care
2. Be findable for your foreign customer Make sure the packaging is sturdy and appropriate. The
If you are clearly visible in search engines in other parcel will travel a long way. And durable packaging without
countries and also offer your webshop in another language, much air is also important for your customers abroad.
international shoppers will often be able to find your shop
easily. For a flying start in international e-commerce, you 7. BONUS TIP: The power of direct mail
can easily clone your webshop to a foreign domain with Online is a powerful tool, but do not underestimate the
Clonable. Your webshop will be translated into the language power of direct mail. Especially where foreign markets are
of your customer, and you will be easy to find in foreign concerned. The Netherlands is leading the way when it
search engines. comes to digitisation and e-commerce, but there are plenty
of countries in the world where things are different. And
3. Know the international regulations where direct mail is a very powerful tool to use. ••
When you ship goods abroad, you have to deal with

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