International Shipping: Everything E-commerce Businesses Need to Know
Selling internationally is the fastest way to grow your revenue. Cross-border e-commerce accounts for over 30% of all online sales worldwide. But international shipping brings challenges that domestic logistics doesn't: customs, import duties, packaging regulations, longer delivery times and higher costs.
The online stores that succeed internationally have one thing in common: they've set up their shipping process so that international orders feel like local deliveries to their customers. Transparent costs, reliable delivery times, and no surprises at the door.
Wuunder makes this possible with a single integration to 300+ carriers and 120,000+ preconfigured services. Automatic customs documents, real-time delivery times in your checkout, and personal support from logistics experts.
How does international shipping work?
International shipping differs from domestic in three ways:
- Customs: outside the EU, your parcel must clear customs. This requires correct documentation (commercial invoice, HS codes, EORI number)
- More carriers, more choice: every country has its own dominant carriers. DHL in Germany, Colissimo in France, Royal Mail in the UK
- Regulations: packaging legislation (EPR/PPWR), VAT (OSS), product safety (GPSR) varies by country
Within the EU it's relatively simple: no customs, free movement of goods, and parcel carriers delivering in 2-5 days via road transport. Outside the EU it requires more preparation, but with the right platform it runs smoothly.
These brands deliver a perfect delivery experience with Wuunder
Why online stores go international
- Larger market: the Netherlands has 17 million consumers. The EU has 450 million
- Higher margins: in some markets you can charge higher prices
- Risk diversification: not dependent on a single market
- Extended seasons: summer in Spain while it's winter in Scandinavia
What makes international shipping complex?
| Challenge | Within EU | Outside EU |
|---|---|---|
| Customs documents | Not required | Mandatory |
| Import duties | None | Varies by country |
| VAT rules | OSS system (centralised) | Per country, DDP or DAP |
| Packaging legislation | EPR registration per country | Varies by country |
| Delivery times | 1-5 business days | 2 days - 4 weeks |
| Returns | Relatively simple | Complex and expensive |
| Carriers | Parcel carriers (road) | Express (air) + postal |
Please note: even within the European Union, there are unfortunately exceptions that fall outside the customs territory. For example, some islands such as the Faroe Islands and Greenland (Denmark), the island of Helgoland and the Büsingen am Hochrhein area (Germany), and the French overseas departments such as Guadeloupe, Martinique, Réunion and French Guiana.
What does Wuunder offer for international shipping?
- 300+ carriers in 190+ countries, from DHL Express to local last-mile carriers
- 120,000+ preconfigured services with up-to-date rates, delivery times and surcharges
- Automatic customs documents: commercial invoice, CN22/CN23, paperless customs where possible
- Real-time delivery times in the checkout via Wuunder Checkout
- PuzzlPack: packaging optimisation to minimise dimensional weight costs
- Proactive tracking via Wuunder Track, including international shipments
- International returns via Wuunder Returns
- Personal support from logistics experts who know the rules per country
Within the EU vs. outside the EU
Within the EU: no customs, fast delivery times (1-5 days), affordable rates via road transport. But: regulations around packaging (EPR), VAT (OSS) and product safety (GPSR). → Read more: EU regulations for cross-border webshops
Outside the EU: customs documents mandatory, import duties applicable, longer delivery times. DDP vs. DAP choice crucial for customer experience. → Read more: Customs and import duties
Standard parcel (e.g. DHL eCommerce, DPD, GLS, PostNL)
Parcel carriers offer a good balance between speed and price within Europe. They use road transport instead of air freight, making them cheaper than express but often only 1-2 days slower. Ideal for e-commerce shipments within the EU.
Economy and postal (e.g. Asendia, Spring GDS, Maersk eDelivery, PostNL international)
The most affordable option for lightweight shipments (up to 2 kg and max shoebox size) to distant destinations. Delivery times vary widely: from 5 business days (Europe) to 4 weeks (Asia, South America). Tracking is often limited with postal services. Choose this when speed isn't a requirement, the cost of your goods are low and shipping costs are important.
Popular destinations from the Netherlands
Most Dutch online stores start with neighbouring countries and then expand:
- 🇩🇪 Germany — Largest EU market, 1-2 days, no customs → Shipping to Germany
- 🇧🇪 Belgium — Same language, 1 day, no customs → Shipping to Belgium
- 🇫🇷 France — 67M inhabitants, points relais crucial → Shipping to France
- 🇬🇧 United Kingdom — Post-Brexit customs, but massive market → Shipping to the UK
- 🇪🇸 Spain — Growing e-commerce, 3-4 days standard
- 🇮🇹 Italy — Fashion and design, note San Marino/Vatican exceptions
- 🇸🇪 Scandinavia — High purchasing power, Norway = customs
- 🇺🇸 United States — Frequently changing import rules → Shipping to the US
- 🇨🇭 Switzerland — Outside EU, own customs rules
- 🇦🇹 Austria — German-speaking, EU, straightforward
Compare delivery times and costs
Delivery times depend on service level (express/standard/economy), destination and carrier. With Wuunder you automatically compare all available options per shipment.
→ Full overview: Delivery times by carrier and country
→ What does it cost: International shipping costs and rates
Ready to grow internationally?
In 15 minutes we'll walk through your current shipping process and show which carriers, delivery times and rates best fit your international ambitions.
All topics at a glance
This page is your starting point. Below you'll find in-depth content per topic:
- Delivery times by carrier and country
- Customs and import duties
- Costs and rates
- DDP vs. DAP: who pays import duties?
- EU regulations: EPR, GPSR, VAT and more
- Documents and commercial invoice
- Packaging Guidelines
- International Returns
Plus country pages: Germany | Belgium | France | United Kingdom