Mastering international shipping for ecommerce

Think international shipping is out of reach for small businesses? Think again. Expanding your ecommerce business beyond borders unlocks untapped revenue and helps build a loyal global customer base.

For Baltic ecommerce companies, scaling internationally is a competitive necessity. This guide will show you how to approach international shipping with confidence, covering strategies to minimise costs, overcome challenges, and leverage tools like Montonio to simplify the process.

Why international shipping will drive your ecommerce growth

Expanding into international markets increases revenue and creates new opportunities for long-term success. Here’s how:

• Expanded market reach: By shipping internationally, you gain access to a larger customer base. With over 2.7 billion global online shoppers, the opportunity is immense.
• Competitive edge: Stand out from competitors who focus solely on domestic markets by offering reliable delivery to global customers.
• Higher average order value: International customers often place larger orders to make shipping fees worthwhile, boosting your profitability.
• Brand exposure: Selling internationally elevates your visibility, builds trust, and positions your brand as a global player.

With the right international shipping strategy, you can unlock new markets, increase sales, and elevate your business to the next level.

Common roadblocks to cross-border shipping

Expanding into international shipping is a significant opportunity for Baltic businesses, but it doesn’t come without challenges. Here are the most common issues you’ll face, and ways to solve them.

High costs are often the first hurdle. Shipping fees, customs duties, and taxes add up quickly, discouraging customers and cutting into your margins if left unchecked.

Operational headaches are another major concern. Small teams can struggle to manage multiple carriers, track shipments, and navigate complex documentation. Mistakes in these areas risk delays, lost packages, and unhappy customers.

Finally, customer expectations are higher than ever. Shoppers want fast delivery, transparent pricing, and simple returns. Failing to meet these expectations can result in abandoned carts and negative reviews.

Montonio’s all-in-one checkout solution tackles these challenges head-on, helping Baltic businesses simplify carrier management, reduce errors, and save money with competitive rates.

How to streamline international shipping processes

Efficient shipping starts with the right strategy. Let's go over some ways that can help Baltic ecommerce businesses simplify cross-border logistics.

Choose the right carriers

Selecting carriers that balance cost and speed is crucial. For Baltic businesses, regional players like Omniva, DPD, and SmartPosti are great for a wide coverage. Montonio integrates with these carriers, enabling you to compare rates and delivery times easily.

Use automated solutions

Automation is your ally in international shipping. With our platform, you can handle label creation, real-time tracking, and customs documentation seamlessly. By consolidating these tasks into one system, you reduce errors and free up valuable time.

Negotiate rates

Bulk discounts aren’t just for large corporations. By consolidating orders and working with platforms like Montonio that negotiate rates with carriers on your behalf, small businesses can secure competitive pricing.

Offer flexible delivery options

Not all customers need express shipping. Provide options like standard and expedited delivery to cater to different budgets and expectations. Montonio makes it easy to present these choices at checkout, improving the customer experience.

Practical ways to minimise shipping costs

Shipping costs can quickly add up, but the strategies below can help you keep expenses in check.

Consolidate shipments

Sending fewer, larger packages instead of multiple small ones reduces overall fees. This approach is particularly effective for businesses shipping frequently to the same markets.

Optimise packaging

Carriers calculate costs based on dimensional weight, so bulky packaging can lead to unnecessary charges. Using compact, lightweight materials saves money and aligns with customer preferences for eco-friendly solutions.

Ensure address transparency

Surprise fees at customs, like duties and taxes, frustrate customers and lead to abandoned orders. Clearly communicate these costs upfront to avoid any complaints later on.

Practical steps in practice

Since switching to Montonio, Medpoint, an Estonian ecommerce company selling medical equipment and wellness products, has seen substantial savings in both time and costs. They’ve achieved a monthly reduction of €1,000 compared to previous solutions

The simplification of parcel label printing and order tracking has improved warehouse efficiency, reducing errors and allowing the team to focus more on customer service.

Montonio’s delivery solution has significantly accelerated our fulfilment process. We can print parcel cards in sequence, saving time and avoiding wasted sticky paper. It’s much more cost-effective than our previous setup.

– Karl, CEO, Medpoint

GoGoNano has seen similar benefits. Switching to Montonio brought their supplier and order management into a single environment, cutting down time spent on admin and reducing error risk.

"Thanks to Montonio’s delivery solution, we fulfil orders much faster compared to previous solutions,” says Kaur from GoGoNano. Faster fulfilment doesn’t just make things easier for their team – it means customers get what they ordered in fewer delays, and they notice the difference.

The shipping essentials for Baltic-based businesses

For small ecommerce brands in the Baltics, focusing on practical strategies and leveraging the right tools can turn international expansion into a manageable, profitable endeavour.

Focus on neighbouring markets

Starting with Europe is a logical first step for Baltic businesses. The EU’s shared regulations simplify customs, and established trade agreements reduce barriers. Additionally, cultural and linguistic similarities with neighbouring markets, such as Finland or Poland, create an accessible entry point for growth. Once you’ve established a foothold, expanding to countries like the UK or further afield becomes more straightforward.

Leverage trusted local carriers

Baltic businesses benefit greatly from carriers familiar with the region’s logistics landscape. Montonio’s partnerships with trusted providers like Omniva, SmartPosti, and DPD offer several advantages:

• Omniva: Known for reliability across the Baltics, this carrier ensures seamless last-mile delivery in local markets.
• SmartPosti: Specialises in efficient cross-border shipping, making it ideal for reaching nearby European destinations.
• DPD: A strong pan-European network ensures competitive rates and reliable delivery for larger markets like Germany and France.

Using multiple carriers tailored to specific regions or shipping needs allows businesses to optimise costs and delivery times.

Incorporate technology to streamline operations

Integrating advanced shipping tools is crucial for simplifying logistics. Montonio’s platform consolidates carrier management, automates label creation, and tracks shipments from a single dashboard. These features save time, reduce errors, and enable businesses to scale without the operational headaches typically associated with international shipping.

Leverage real-time analytics to optimise shipping

Analytics provide valuable insights into your shipping performance. Montonio’s tools enable you to monitor demand trends across different markets, helping you optimise shipping routes and prioritise high-performing regions. For instance, if data shows that orders from Finland are growing, you can refine your strategy to reduce costs and improve delivery speed for that market.

Address sustainability in shipping

Eco-conscious consumers across Europe increasingly prioritise brands that adopt sustainable practices. Consider these strategies:

• Choose carriers with carbon-neutral delivery options, such as those offered by DPD.
• Optimise packaging to minimise waste and reduce dimensional weight charges.
• Clearly communicate your commitment to sustainability in your marketing to align with customer values.

How Montonio simplifies international shipping

Montonio is the go-to solution for Baltic ecommerce businesses looking to streamline cross-border logistics and drive growth. Our all-in-one checkout solution makes international shipping easier, faster, and more cost-effective. Here’s how:

• Centralised carrier management: Manage all your shipping partners, including Omniva, SmartPosti, and DPD in a single intuitive platform.
• Competitive pricing: Gain access to pre-negotiated rates and skip the hassle of individual carrier contracts, lowering costs for both your business and your customers.
• Quick setup: Integrate Montonio with your ecommerce store in just 15 minutes and start shipping immediately – no drawn-out onboarding process required.
• Real-time tracking: Provide customers with live updates on their shipments, improving transparency, trust, and satisfaction while reducing support queries.

Make shipping your competitive advantage

International shipping is an opportunity to build trust, boost revenue, and position your brand for sustainable growth. Montonio helps you address cost concerns, simplify operations, and enhance the customer experience – all while preparing your business to scale globally.

Ready to transform your logistics strategy? Start with Montonio today and make international shipping the simplest part of your business.