Amazon Global Selling

How Do I Sell Overseas With Amazon FBA?

If you’re running a small business, you need to think big! Amazon marketplace is a platform capable of going so much further than your backyard. However, shipping internationally can be a daunting task. Here is how you can use Amazon FBA to do the heavy lifting for you! 

Using FBA Exports

As the procedure varies from country to country, we will be covering the process to sell from inside of the United States with the help of a global selling account. The easiest way to sell internationally is to set up your seller central account with FBA Exports. When you choose to utilize this service that leverage amazon's global scale, Amazon marketplaces will do all of the exporting for you. The cost for shipping the product overseas is paid directly by the customer, and Amazon international marketplaces will pack, export, and import your already stocked product to them. It does not cost you any extra on your bank account to choose this option, and it passes on the cost to the international customers. 

Opt-in to this program is normally automatic, and it covers over 100 countries and counting. To check if your shop is already signed up with your amazon seller account, Go to Settings>Fulfillment by Amazon>Export Settings. There you will be able to turn this option on and off. There are other restrictions you can set, such as excluding certain products from international sales, or excluding certain countries such as Middle East or European marketplace from being able to buy from you. This may help if an item or items you are selling globally have product distribution agreements attached to them, restricting where you are allowed to send them. 

Already, not every product is able to be shipped internationally, and that is something to keep an eye out for. According to Amazon, these types of products are the most likely to be restricted: 

• Weapons and imitation weapons
• Plants, plant products, seeds, and soil
• Animals and certain animal products
• Surveillance equipment
• Laser pointers and related products

These are items of which the U.S. Government has restricted exports. Depending on the country, there may also be import restrictions placed on your products. Amazon also restricts the sale of items that are difficult to ship, like large items or volatile chemicals. You’ll need to be aware of the restrictions, especially if your store sells a large variety of items. 

An important feature of FBA Exports is that when you use this service, Amazon steps in to provide customer service, like returns, to your client. If the package is lost or there are issues, Amazon will step in to rectify the situation. However, that also means that you are no longer in control of how your own customer service is run. In many countries, shipping is unreliable and packages can be delayed or returned to sender due to outdated or inadequate infrastructure. In these cases, while Amazon would handle the service, your store would be the recipient of the negative reviews. 

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Doing It Yourself

There are other options for those who are not interested in allowing Amazon fulfillment centers to do all of the customer service for their overseas markets. However, those options entail much more effort on your part as Amazon sellers. Even though FBA does provide warehouses in other countries to which you can ship your product, you will have to deal with customs, currency differences, commercial invoicing rules, and any unexpected fees or delays that come with shipping non-domestically. When providing customer service, you may have to communicate with a customer that does not speak your language. If you’re thinking of taking a route less involved with FBA, set up a meeting with one of our coaches so they can advise you on what’s best for your business. 

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Final Thoughts

The final thing to consider in selling overseas is whether your product will be successful in other markets. If you are selling American flag sunglasses, for example, your product may not be very successful in the rest of the world. It may not be worth opting into FBA Exports! 

If you have a product that fits into various cultures, climates, and socio-economic backgrounds, your shop will more readily sell to overseas buyers or do business globally. If you can, offer a wide variety of items; a wide selection increases your base of potential customers. 

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Conclusion

The best way to sell overseas with Amazon FBA is to opt into FBA Exports, which Amazon fulfillment centers have set up to make international shipping easy. It eliminates your role in dealing with fees, customs, and delays associated with international shipping, and provides customer service in many languages. It’s also quick and easy to set up, and does not cost you extra! We recommend this amazon global selling program option if you are looking to expand your market.  

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