Outside USA Merchant Tips

To successfully operate your online store from outside the United States, follow these essential adjustments and best practices:

Currency and Measurement Settings

• Set your store's currency to match your local banking currency
• Switch to metric measurements for weight (kilograms) and dimensions (meters)
• Configure shipping calculations based on your preferred measurement system

Domain and Language

• Use a country-specific domain (e.g., .au for Australia, .de for Germany)
• Adjust your site's language settings to match your local market
• Consider creating a multilingual site for international customers

Tax Configuration

• Set up country-specific tax rules in the Taxes panel
• For Canada: Configure separate provincial tax rates
• Enable VAT/GST inclusive pricing where required
• Display prices with taxes included when necessary

Shipping Options

• Create shipping zones for international delivery
• Consider using Easyship or Shippo extensions for:
  • Discounted international shipping rates
  • Tracking capabilities
  • Automated returns
• Set up specific shipping rules for each destination country

Legal Compliance

• Create a Legal Information page (required in EU countries)
• Implement GDPR compliance measures for EU customers
• Disable automatic newsletter signups to comply with anti-spam laws
• Review and follow local e-commerce regulations

International Best Practices

• Keep shipping rates competitive for international markets
• Clearly display shipping times and costs
• Provide excellent customer service across time zones
• Monitor and adjust to regional market demands

Remember to regularly review and update these settings as your business grows and regulations change.

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