Glossary
What is international shipping? Definition
June 4, 2026
International delivery (international shipping, cross-border shipping) refers to the shipping of packages to a different country from the merchant's dispatch country (warehouse or supplier). In e-commerce, it completes cross-border sales: shipping rates by zone, carriers (DHL, Colissimo International), longer delivery times, customs documents, and sometimes customs fees. On Shopify, it is configured via shipping zones and Shopify Markets.
Summary
Simple definition: international shipping
International shipping = the package crosses at least one customs border between the shipping country and the delivery country. From a French shop, sending to Belgium, the United States, or Japan all falls under international shipping, with different rules depending on the zone.
Common zones in e-commerce configuration:
Domestic: Metropolitan France (excluding strict international scope).; European Union: no intra-community customs duties; e-commerce VAT according to OSS rules.; Europe outside the EU: Switzerland, UK, Norway (customs and import VAT possible).
North America: US, Canada (delivery times, duties, customs clearance).; Rest of the world: flat rate or by region (Asia, Oceania, Africa).
Specific international elements:
Customs documents: commercial invoice, CN22/CN23, product HS code.; Customs clearance: value inspection, nature of goods, restrictions.; Incoterms: DDP (delivered duty paid) vs DDU (customer pays on delivery).
Address formats: postal codes, US states, telephone (delivery address).; Weight and dimensions: high impact on international cost.
Useful distinctions:
International shipping vs cross-border e-commerce: shipping = transport logistics; cross-border = global strategy (price, language, taxation).; International shipping vs customs duties: transport vs import taxation (often linked but distinct).; International vs internationalization: physical shipping vs site language/content.
Direct shipping vs 3PL local stock: package from France vs US/UK warehouse ("local" delivery after warehousing).; Standard international vs express: different lead times and rates by zone.; International shipping costs vs free shipping: avoid global free shipping if actual cost is high.
The benefits of international shipping for an online store
Opening up internationally without a credible shipping offer limits cross-border trade to zero: foreign customers see absurd fees, vague delivery times, or a blocked "rest of the world" zone.
International conversion: transparent shipping costs and delivery times at checkout.; revenue expansion: new markets without a physical store.; Competition: customers compare delivery times and landed prices vs. local Amazon.; Logistics cost: international shipping is often 3 to 10 times domestic (delivery fees).
After-sales service: packages blocked at customs, transit delays, costly returns.; Reputation: negative reviews if there are customs surprises (poorly explained DDU).; Compliance: products banned from export (batteries, food, cosmetics depending on the country).
A well-configured international delivery transforms already existing foreign traffic (SEO, ads, social) into deliverable orders. Conversely, promising "worldwide delivery in 5 days" from a single European warehouse creates disputes.
Using with Shopify
Configuration in Settings > Shipping and delivery + Markets (Shopify Help Center).
Shipping zones: create EU, US, World zones with distinct rates.; Flat rate: flat rate per zone (simple at launch).; Weight-based: weight brackets (essential if catalogs are varied).; Carrier calculated: real-time DHL/UPS rates (depending on plan).
Markets: enable/disable countries, shipping by market.; Apps: Sendcloud, Boxtal, Zonos, Passport (DDP, multi-carriers).; Product metafields: country of origin, HS code for customs.
Key points to check for Shopify international:
List target countries (1 to 5 for testing, then expansion).; Create realistic zones and rates (carrier cost + margin or absorption).; Fill in weights/dimensions for all products.; Choose DDP or DDU and display it (Shipping page, FAQ).
Test checkout for US, DE, CH addresses via Markets preview.; International label operation + email tracking.; International returns policy (cost, timeframes).
Growing volume: consider a local 3PL (US warehouse via ShipBob, etc.) to reduce delivery times and sometimes last-mile shipping costs. Stock is "domestic" for the local customer even if the brand is French.
In brief
International delivery = shipping to another country, with customs and specific delivery times.; Zones: EU, Europe outside EU, US, world; carriers DHL, Colissimo, UPS…; Distinct cross-border global, customs, site i18n.
Shopify: shipping zones, Markets, weight, DDP/DDU, apps.; Realistic rates, customs documents, documented returns and customer service.
Associated terms, FAQ, and going further
Associated terms
Cross-border e-commerce : global international sales.
Customs duties : import taxes at the border.
Shopify Markets : markets and shipping by country.
Shipping : logistical framework including international.
Shipping costs : postage pricing by zone.
FAQ
Are international delivery and cross-border the same thing?
Not exactly.International delivery refers to the cross-border transport of the package. Cross-border also encompasses price, language, taxes, payments, and market strategy.
Should shipping be offered throughout Europe?
The EU is often the first expansion (no intra-community duties, moderate lead times). Then expand according to demand, margin, and operational capacity. Each added zone must have a consistent postage rate.
How to configure international shipping on Shopify?
Admin > Settings > Shipping and delivery : create zones (e.g., "European Union", "United States") and assign flat or weight-based rates. Complete with Markets to activate the target countries.
Will the customer pay fees upon delivery?
With DDU, yes it is possible (duties + customs clearance fees). With DDP, no if everything was collected at checkout. Clearly explain the chosen model on your Delivery page.
Go further
Sources : Shopify Help Center (Shipping zones), Shopify Help Center (Markets), international carrier guides (La Poste Colissimo, DHL).
Enzo
13 May 2026
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