International eCommerce Setup Guide: Essential Tips for Non-US Merchants

International eCommerce Setup Guide: Essential Tips for Non-US Merchants

By Michael Turner

November 21, 2024 at 02:02 AM

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.

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