If your Shopify store only sells locally, you’re missing out on massive global opportunities.
The global eCommerce market is expected to exceed $6.3 trillion by the end of 2025, meaning international expansion is no longer optional — it’s essential.

Every day, millions of shoppers around the world search for unique brands, better deals, and products unavailable in their own countries. Data shows there are over 33,000 monthly searches for “international shipping” and nearly 600 for “Shopify international shipping”, proving that merchants everywhere want to expand beyond borders — and Shopify provides all the tools you need to do it.

Of course, shipping internationally isn’t without its challenges. Taxes, duties, and customs can be complex; delivery times may vary; and regulations differ by country.
But the good news is: with Shopify and the right shipping apps, you can set up seamless, automated global fulfillment in just a few steps.

Key Factors to Identify Before Starting International Shipping

Before you start shipping globally, make sure you’ve analyzed these critical aspects:

📊 Target Market Research

Identify which countries have a strong demand for your products. Analyze market potential, purchasing power, and cultural fit before targeting those regions.

⚖️ Import Regulations & Legal Compliance

Each country has its own rules on what can or cannot be imported. Research prohibited items, required documentation, and local tax/duty structures.
Check Shopify’s documentation or your carrier’s website for compliance guides.

💸 Shipping Costs & Transit Times

Compare rates from different carriers to find a balance between cost and delivery time.
You can use tools like ShipEZ – Shipping Rates & Rules to compare real-time rates and automate pricing logic in Shopify.

🌍 Currency & Language Localization

Use Shopify Markets or translation apps to show customers localized prices, currencies, and languages — improving both trust and conversion.

🚚 Carrier Coverage

Ensure the carriers you use operate reliably in your target markets. Integrating local delivery partners often helps reduce transit times and shipping costs.

Can You Ship Internationally with Shopify?

Absolutely — Shopify is fully equipped for international shipping.
You can configure shipping zones, rates, and carrier integrations directly within your Shopify admin.

Here’s what Shopify offers out of the box:

• Built-in carrier integrations: Connect DHL Express, UPS, USPS, and Canada Post to manage international delivery.

• Custom shipping zones & profiles: Create shipping zones for specific countries or regions and set unique rates or conditions.

• Multi-currency and language support: Shopify Markets lets you localize prices, content, and checkout in customers’ preferred currency and language.

When Shopify’s Native Tools Aren’t Enough

As your global sales scale, Shopify’s built-in shipping setup might not cover all your needs. Here are some common limitations:

🚫 No automation for high-volume shipping

If you’re fulfilling hundreds of orders per day, Shopify’s manual label printing can slow you down. You’ll need automation for bulk label creation and batch shipping.

🌐 Limited carrier availability

Not all carriers integrated with Shopify operate worldwide. You may need regional partners for better coverage or lower rates.

💱 No real-time rate comparison

Shopify doesn’t show live rate comparisons from multiple carriers, so it’s harder to offer customers the best balance of price and delivery speed.

🧾 Manual customs processing

Shopify can generate basic customs forms, but large-scale shippers require automated HS code classification, ETD (Electronic Trade Documents), and compliance with each destination country.

➡️ If these limitations affect your business, it’s time to integrate a multi-carrier shipping app such as PH Multi-Carrier Shipping Label or ShipEZ — both built specifically for advanced global fulfillment.

How Shopify Apps Help Simplify International Shipping

🚀 Support for 30+ global and regional carriers

Apps like PH Multi-Carrier Shipping integrate with DHL, FedEx, UPS, Aramex, Australia Post, Canada Post, and more — giving you access to real-time rates, label generation, and delivery estimates.

🧾 Bulk label generation

Save hours by printing hundreds (or thousands) of labels at once instead of manually processing each order.

🔔 Real-time tracking notifications

Keep customers informed with automated email updates and live tracking links, reducing support tickets and boosting satisfaction.

📄 Automated customs documentation (ETD)

Enable Electronic Trade Documents for automatic digital submission of customs forms, HS codes, and invoices — ensuring compliance and faster clearance.

🗺️ Localized shipping rules

Set country-specific shipping conditions, rates, and restrictions. You can tailor your offers by location — for instance, free shipping within Europe and flat rates elsewhere.

Best Practices for International Shipping on Shopify

To ensure smooth global operations, follow these proven best practices:

✅ Transparent shipping rates

Display all shipping costs at checkout — no hidden fees. Use real-time carrier rates or well-calculated flat rates to avoid surprises that cause cart abandonment.

⏱️ Show delivery estimates

Accurate estimated delivery times (ETAs) build customer trust. Use Shopify carrier APIs or shipping apps to display expected delivery windows at checkout.

🔄 Proactive shipment updates

Automate notifications and tracking links so customers always know where their package is — this reduces inquiries and improves overall satisfaction.

🔙 Clear return policy

Define who pays for return shipping, how long customers have to return items, and whether duties/taxes are refundable. Transparency builds confidence for cross-border purchases.

How to Set Up International Shipping in Shopify (Step-by-Step)

Step 1: Create an International Market

• Go to your Shopify Admin → Markets.

• Click Create International Market.

• Click the pencil icon ✏️ to open settings.

• Select the countries you want to include and click Done.

Step 2: Configure Shipping Zones

• Go to Settings → Shipping and Delivery → General Shipping Rates.

• Under your desired warehouse, click Add Shipping Zone.

• Add the same countries or regions you included in your market.

• Define your rates (flat, carrier-calculated, or app-based).

• Click Done → Save.

Step 3: Set Rates and Carriers

Within each zone, choose:

• Flat rates – fixed fee per order

• Carrier-calculated rates – real-time from DHL, UPS, etc.

• App-based rates – dynamic pricing from third-party tools

Once saved, your store will automatically calculate international rates at checkout.

Scaling Global Fulfillment Beyond Shopify Basics

While Shopify’s built-in tools are powerful for small-to-medium sellers, global expansion often demands automation and flexibility.

Apps like ShipEZ – Shipping Rates & Rules and PH Multi-Carrier Shipping Label enhance Shopify with:

• Bulk label automation

• Local and regional carrier integration

• Real-time multi-carrier rate comparison

• Automatic customs paperwork

• Country-based pricing and delivery logic

These features allow your business to scale internationally without operational bottlenecks.

International shipping is the gateway to exponential growth for your Shopify store.
While Shopify provides a solid foundation — zones, rates, and carrier integrations — advanced logistics apps make scaling across borders simple, automated, and profitable.

By combining Shopify Markets with tools like ShipEZ or PH Multi-Carrier Shipping, you can handle everything from localized pricing to customs documentation — and deliver globally with confidence.

So, if you’re ready to expand your Shopify store worldwide, start by setting up your international markets, shipping zones, and carrier integrations today — and let automation take care of the rest. 🌎🚀