
International eCommerce Setup Guide: Essential Tips for Non-US Merchants
Store Settings for International Merchants
Change basic store settings to match your location and audience expectations with these essential adjustments:
Language and Region
- Set site language in Language and Region settings
- Create a multilingual site to reach diverse audiences
- Use a local domain (e.g., .com.au for Australia, .de for Germany)
Currency and Measurements
- Currency automatically matches your payment processor's bank account
- Select different currencies for international audiences
- Switch to metric system for weight (kg) and length (m) in settings
- Configure weight-based shipping measurements
Legal Requirements
- Create a Legal Information page (impressum) for EU compliance
- Manage newsletter opt-ins to comply with anti-spam laws
- Disable automatic mailing list additions at checkout
- Follow GDPR guidelines for EU data protection
International Shipping
- Connect Easyship or Shippo extensions for discounted rates
- Create shipping zones for target countries
- Enable automated returns and tracking
- Set up carrier-specific options
Tax Configuration
- Create country-specific tax rules
- Set up provincial tax rates for Canada
- Enable tax-inclusive pricing for VAT/GST regions
- Configure separate tax lines on receipts
EU Specific Requirements
- Implement cookie consent mechanisms
- Follow GDPR data collection guidelines
- Display required business information
- Ensure transparent pricing display
These adjustments help ensure your store complies with local regulations while providing a smooth shopping experience for international customers.