There are several international shipping methods that are worth knowing about. Some of them are quite simple, others a little more complicated, and some are even almost automatic.
For first-time retailers, this article will demystify international shipping in e-commerce. Our ultimate commitment is to show you that this shipping process isn’t completely mysterious. By reading this article, you’ll country email list be ready to send your first international order.
For experienced retailers, this article will explore as many international shipping options as possible for e-commerce, so you can compare them with your current preferred shipping method.
Ready to get started?
What are the International Shipping Methods in E-commerce?
Well, before we get into the topics that delve deeper into each of the ways to ship internationally in e-commerce, we need to talk about the any time without notice and with or without cause differences between these methods.
It’s a quick game here, really. The modalities are not very complex and there are not many:
- Shipping by post: three different options, between 2kg and 30kg per order, partial or full tracking, with express solutions;
- Shipping by carriers: national and international carriers (such as DHL), each with their own deadlines and particularities;
- Shipping via platforms: the e-commerce platform you work with is responsible for collecting the order and shipping it.
These are the main international shipping methods in e-commerce.
For Brazilians, the most economical solution is certainly the Post Office. However, sending via them also has its disadvantages, such as delays, bureaucracy, etc.
Couriers are known for being the express international shipping solutions for e-commerce. However, they can be more expensive than the Post Office and offer fewer plans.
Don’t worry, we’ll look at some shipping company suggestions throughout the text.
And finally, shipping through the e-commerce platforms themselves. They work with these international carriers, which need to be integrated with the platforms through their apps.
This is how international shipping works in e-commerce. But before we move on to an individual analysis of each of these platforms, caseno data we need to discuss some more operational and bureaucratic aspects.
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Operational Aspects for International Shipping in E-commerce
This part of the text is a little more focused on beginner store owners, who still don’t know very well how international shipping works or the more bureaucratic aspects of the work.
I’ve brought a quick FAQ here in the next items that will help you a lot to understand some basic questions, but very common in the international modality.
International shipping is about much more than just shipping. This is a point that needs to be understood as soon as you start offering products overseas.
Preparation is necessary, which involves documentation, knowledge of the countries you are sending to, understanding what can and cannot be sent, etc.
In this topic, we will talk more about these more general points. And in the next one, we will talk about each of the shipping methods available.
All set?
What Documentation is Required to Export a Product?
Required documentation may vary depending on the shipping method you choose.
The most required documents for international shipping are the following:
- Invoice: This is the product’s commercial invoice. It details who is selling and who is buying the products. It is absolutely necessary for all international shipping methods, from the Brazilian Post Office to carriers. The Brazilian Post Office provides a free invoice template for download;
- Bill of Lading/Waybill: This is a document that details what is being sent in the package. The Post Office also has a template available for download;
- Nota Fiscal: this is the common invoice that you issue for any sale in Brazil;
These are the documents required by the Post Office for international shipping in e-commerce.
Other documents may be required depending on the country you are shipping to. Some carriers may require other documents as well. Take DHL as an example :
As you can see, international shipping in e-commerce is not as bureaucratic as you might think.
But let’s talk about another aspect that usually scares people who want to start sending money abroad but don’t really know where to begin:
When Goods Arrive at Customs, Are They Taxed? And Who Pays?
This question has no right answer. It depends on the country you’re shipping your goods to.
There are even products that are banned in some countries that may not be banned here in Brazil.
It’s important to plan your delivery routes with this in mind. Research the customs regulations of the countries you’re interested in exporting to before you start selling.
Is there an Export Tax in Brazil?
All businesses and even individuals who wish to export goods in Brazil must pay a fee.
It is the IE, or Export Tax, which has a fixed rate of 30% at the time this article was written, in 2025. This value can vary and even varies significantly over time, but it cannot exceed 150%.
There’s also a fee charged when shipping through the Post Office, the DIS fee. This fee is issued at the time of shipping, either at the post office or on the website.
Export Tax can be paid using invoices generated by Siscomex, the Federal Revenue Service’s integrated export system.
And speaking of Siscomex:
What is Siscomex? Do all exporters need to be registered?
The Siscomex Single Portal is the Federal Revenue Service’s platform that organizes all necessary information, bureaucracy, taxes and fees for exporters in a single, simple channel.
Siscomex is mandatory for all companies that export. Before shipping any item abroad, you’ll need to register with it.
It is quite common for retailers to operate Siscomex together with customs brokers or accountants specialized in exports.
In some cases, exporting companies are exempt from qualification. These include:
- Do not be subject to registration in foreign trade systems;
- It is important to highlight item 3 on this list: exports via the Post Office or transport companies do not require registration with Siscomex.
Individuals do not need to register with Siscomex to make payments, but only in these specific situations:
- Foreign trade operations to carry out their professional activities, including as a rural producer, artisan, artist or similar;
- Imports for your own use and consumption;
- Imports for your personal collections.
