Fulfilment solutions to support your international expansion

Is your market’s growth reaching its saturation point? International expansion could be the key. Outsourced fulfilment can eliminate many of the challenges that come with selling overseas.

Breaking into new territories is challenging. Our outsourced fulfilment solutions can help you deal with some of these challenges, saving you time and helping you focus on other important tasks.

From efficient cross-border shipping to strategic local stocking, our experts can give you the best advice to succeed internationally.

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Verified picking accuracy rate
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Highest rated eCommerce fulfilment provider
Ein Comic-Truck, der mit verschiedenen Formen befüllt wird, die die Produktvielfalt beschrieben sollen, die mit Huboo abgebildet werden kann. 32,000,000+
Products shipped in the last 12 months
Eine Treppe mit schemenhaft dargestellten Pflanzen, die das Wachstum durch das Huboo Fulfillment darstellen soll. 1,200+
Clients trust Huboo, and growing fast

UK & European Union fulfilment network

Fulfilment centers located in the UK, Spain, Netherlands and Germany

Global couriers

From each fulfilment centre, we offer international shipping solutions. We can help you define the best strategy: stock in our fulfilment centres, international shipping or a mix of both.

More than 35 integrations

We offer more than 35 integrations to international marketplaces, channels and systems.*Terms & Conditions Apply

Local Fulfilment vs.
International Shipping vs.
Hybrid Approach

When expanding internationally, the choice between local fulfilment, international shipping, or a combination of both significantly impacts logistics, costs, and customer experience.

Below are the advantages and disadvantages of each option:

Local Fulfilment

Local fulfilment involves storing your stock in the country where the order is placed. For international expansion, this is the only way to offer the same conditions (cost and time) as local competitors.

Advantages:

Reduced delivery times
Potentially lower shipping costs
Reduced carbon footprint for shipping
Better inventory control (e.g., quicker return processing)

Disadvantages:

Balancing stock levels across different locations
Requires precise forecasting to avoid stock transfer costs

International Shipping

International shipping involves fulfilling orders from a central location and shipping them to customers globally.

Advantages:

Easy access to a global customer base
Simplified inventory management

Disadvantages:

Longer delivery times and higher shipping costs
Customs and import duties
Increased risk of damage or loss during shipping
Complex return management

Hybrid Approach

A hybrid approach combines local fulfilment centres in key markets with international shipping to other regions.

Advantages:

Access to a global market: use local fulfilment centres as hubs to reach more markets via international shipping
Better delivery times, costs, and customer satisfaction

Disadvantages:

Managing multiple fulfilment centres and shipping channels
Balancing stock levels across different locations

Talk to our team to explore all the options to grow your business internationally.

Get ready to reach a global audience.

We’ve got everything in place to help you reach more customers in more places. Check out why to fulfil from our fulfilment centre network.

International Expansion: Key Considerations

Expanding your business internationally requires careful planning and strategic decision-making. Below are some essential points to consider.

1. Where to Expand?

The first step in international expansion is identifying the right markets. Consider the following:

Market Research: Identify markets where your products or services are likely to succeed. Factors such as market size, growth potential, competitive landscape, cultural differences, and consumer behavior can provide valuable data.

Current Sales: A more pragmatic approach could be to identify regions where you already receive a significant number of orders or have a growing customer base.

Stability: Ensure that the markets you’re considering are stable politically and economically.

2. Legal and Regulatory Considerations

Each country has its own set of laws and regulations that can impact your business.

Legal Entity: Determine whether you need to establish a legal entity in the target country. This may be necessary for tax purposes, compliance, and gaining local credibility.

Economic Blocs: If the country is part of an economic bloc (such as the European Union), understand how this affects trade regulations, tariffs, and business operations.

Special Categories: If your business deals with regulated products (e.g., alcohol, cosmetics, batteries), check the specific requirements or restrictions in the target market.

3. Local Structure and Team

Building a local presence? Not necessarily – here’s why:

Outsourcing: If you’re testing a new market, outsourcing can be a cost-effective solution. This allows you to minimize fixed costs while entering the market.

Hiring Local Staff: If you decide to establish a local team, be mindful of local laws, which can vary significantly from one country to another. Understand employment contracts, working hours, benefits, and termination rules, or find a partner that manages this for you.

4. Customer Support and Service

Some countries have specific regulations governing customer support, such as mandated response times or the need for a local language support team. Ensure you are aware of and compliant with these regulations.

Returns and exchanges can become a complex issue in international markets due to shipping/return costs and times.

5. Language

English is the global language, but if you want to grow in a specific market, using the local language has a significant impact.

Even in English-speaking countries like the UK, USA, and Australia, subtle differences must be considered. For example, we market our services using “fulfilment” in the UK and “fulfillment” in the US.

6. Currency and Payment Processing

You need to adapt to the local currency and payment preferences.

Currency Conversion: Determine how you will handle pricing in local currencies. Consider fluctuations in exchange rates, which can affect profit margins.

Payment Methods: Research the preferred payment methods in your target market. Offering multiple payment options can enhance customer convenience and increase sales. In some countries, paying on delivery is also an important option.

Payment Gateways: Choose a payment gateway that supports local payment methods and complies with local regulations. Some countries have a high fraud rate, so fraud protection should be a high priority.

7. Taxation and Accounting

Tax Compliance: Investigate the local tax laws. Ensure that your business complies with all local tax obligations to avoid penalties.

Double Taxation Treaties: If your home country has a double taxation treaty with the target market, you may be able to avoid paying taxes twice on the same income.

Accounting: It might be worth hiring a local accountant or partner. If you are expanding into more than one country, consider working with a global firm.

8. Intellectual Property

Trademarks and Patents: Safeguard your intellectual property by registering your trademarks, patents, and copyrights in the target market. It’s important to understand local requirements and take proactive steps.

Domain Names: Secure local domain names to protect your online presence in the new market, even if you’re not planning to use them.

More information about international expansion?