Ecommerce shipping software streamlines fulfillment, reduces shipping costs, and scales your operations efficiently. However, not all platforms are built the same. In this guide, we’ll break down the key features to look for and how to find the right fit for your growing ecommerce business.
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As your ecommerce store grows, shipping can quickly switch from a back-office task to a major operational challenge. More orders mean more labels, more tracking requests, and higher customer expectations. This is when your manual processes can become a bottleneck as you scale.
That’s where ecommerce shipping software comes in. It helps streamline fulfillment, reduce shipping costs, and scale your operations efficiently. However, not all platforms are built the same. In this guide, we’ll break down the key features to look for and how to find the right fit for your growing ecommerce business.
As your ecommerce business grows, so does the complexity of your shipping process. If you’re a growing business trying to fulfill more orders across multiple sales platforms, it might be time to upgrade. Here are some common signs that it's time:
The right shipping software helps ecommerce businesses save money, time and scale with fewer resources.
Not every shipping app is built the same. For growing ecommerce businesses, the right shipping software should streamline your shipping process, reduce shipping costs, and scale with your growth. Here are the top features to prioritize:
Compare real-time shipping rates across carriers like USPS, UPS, FedEx, and DHL to get the best rate for every shipment, whether you're prioritizing speed or savings. An ideal shipping software should let you compare shipping services (like Ground vs. 2-Day) and offer discounted rates on shipping labels for instant savings.
Save time by printing shipping labels in bulk for dozens—or even hundreds—of orders. Look for features like batch editing, automations, and a clean, intuitive dashboard to manage label generation, packing slips, and more with ease. This is especially helpful when you're handling more orders with fewer resources.
Speed up fulfillment and reduce manual work with shipping automations. Apply rules and tags based on shipping methods, order weight, sales channels, destination and more. For example, automatically assign USPS Priority Mail shipping labels for domestic packages under 1 lb. With smart automation rules, you’ll minimize errors, fulfill orders faster and increase output without increasing headcount.
Planning to ship globally? Look for tools that simplify the shipping process for international orders with easy-to-fill customs forms, DDP/DDU options, and access to international services. Comparing shipping rates globally helps you find the most cost-effective options, while automated workflows eliminate the groundwork. In today's online shopping landscape, fast, affordable and reliable delivery times are crucial to boosting the customer experience across borders.
Wherever you sell, whether it's on one platform or multiple, great shipping software should sync easily with multiple online stores like Shopify, Amazon Seller Central, and eBay. Real-time order syncing helps you import orders, manage inventory levels, and ship orders without delays. Integrated systems also help retailers avoid costly mistakes and keep operations running smooth.
As your business expands, so should your shipping strategy. Your platform should support multiple warehouses, new sales channels and partners, and increasing volumes without adding complexity. Whether you're a startup or an established amazon seller, your shipping app should help you scale efficiently—while continuing to save money and time.
Here are some of the top contenders worth considering:
VESYL is built for fast-growing ecommerce businesses scaling across multiple sales channels. It simplifies fulfillment with features like batch shipping, multi-carrier rate shopping, advanced shipping automations, and seamless integrations with platforms like Shopify and Amazon Seller Central. With built-in tools for shipping internationally, returns, and order management, VESYL helps you save time, reduce shipping costs, and deliver a better customer experience. Plus, their responsive support team is just a call away when you need help. You can start with a free plan that includes essential features, perfect for getting started without the commitment.
ShipStation is a popular shipping solution for multi-channel sellers with large volumes and higher budgets. It offers robust integrations with platforms like Shopify, Amazon, and Etsy, along with features such as batch label printing, automation rules, and inventory management. The flexible interface makes it easy to manage complex shipping workflows across multiple sales channels. However, the platform can become expensive at higher tiers, and many users report that customer support can be slow or difficult to reach, something to consider if responsive service is a priority.
Easyship is a good option for ecommerce brands focused on international shipping. It supports customs forms, international rate comparisons, and global carriers. However, its automation features may be limited for high-volume sellers, and some users report issues with billing transparency and slow customer support.
Pirate Ship is a budget-friendly option for small businesses with simple shipping needs. It offers free access to USPS commercial rates and an easy-to-use interface. However, it lacks multi-carrier support, advanced automation, and integrations that growing ecommerce stores typically require to scale efficiently.
The right shipping solution needs to align with your business needs, volume, and growth plans. As you compare options, ask yourself the following:
VESYL is purpose-built for ecommerce businesses that have outgrown basic shipping tools and need a platform that can scale with them. With VESYL, you get a robust, all-in-one shipping solution designed to streamline fulfillment, boost efficiency, and cut costs, without the hassle of carrier contracts or complex setup.
Key benefits include:
But VESYL offers much more than just shipping:
Whether you're shipping hundreds or thousands of orders, VESYL is the shipping software built to grow with you, backed by real people who understand the challenges of ecommerce logistics.
Create your free VESYL account, access our essential features and start shipping for less today!
The right ecommerce shipping software should make your life easier, not harder. For growing stores, it’s about more than just printing labels, it’s about building a foundation to scale. Whether you’re shipping 100 or 10,000 orders a month, investing in the right tool now can reduce time, labor, money, and headaches later.
The global ecommerce market is growing, but with opportunity comes complexity—especially when it comes to international shipping. In 2025, shifting regulations, climate-related disruptions, and changing carrier strategies are transforming how ecommerce businesses manage cross-border shipping and supply chain operations.
For online retailers, staying ahead of these trends is crucial—not just to control costs, but to deliver a seamless online shopping experience for more consumers across the globe.
In this article, we explore the key international shipping services trends shaping the ecommerce industry in 2025, and share actionable insights to help your online business adapt, stay competitive, and support continued global growth.
Some major carriers are scaling back international shipping services to regions facing heightened risk, tighter regulations, and costly import/export friction. Ongoing geopolitical tensions, tariff disputes, and evolving trade alliances are reshaping the ecommerce landscape and disrupting cross-border shipping operations.
For example, in early 2025, select carriers suspended inbound shipments from Southeast Asia due to increased customs forms scrutiny and escalating tariffs—signaling broader challenges for ecommerce stores reliant on global markets.
Your previously reliable international shipping lane may no longer be accessible—or may now come with longer delivery times, higher costs, and reduced services. This shift directly impacts ecommerce platforms, and online businesses that depend on fast, affordable cross-border fulfillment to serve online shoppers and meet the expectations of many customers.
De minimis thresholds, the minimum value under which goods can enter a country duty-free, are tightening, impacting international shipping services and reshaping the ecommerce landscape.
In the U.S., discussions are heating up around reducing the current $800 de minimis limit. Meanwhile, some countries have already enforced stricter tax collection policies at lower thresholds, affecting cross-border online shopping and increasing the complexity of customs documents and shipping procedures.
For ecommerce stores, these changes can lead to online shoppers encountering unexpected duties and taxes at checkout, causing abandoned carts, disrupted customer journeys, and negative customer experiences.
Sustainability is no longer just a buzzword in ecommerce, it's becoming a requirement. In regions like the EU, carbon emission disclosures for cross-border shipments are now required for cross-border shipments. Many carriers are rolling out greener delivery methods, while some governments are offering incentives to reduce the environmental impact of the supply chain.
For ecommerce businesses, adapting to these policies is essential as eco-conscious consumers reshape the global commerce conversation. As the ecommerce market experiences significant growth, the pressure to integrate sustainable practices into shipping and supply chain management continues to increase.
Brands may incur added costs, fines, or regulatory pushback for non-compliant packaging or unsustainable shipping practices. However, green initiatives also present a competitive opportunity to enhance the customer experience, and align with the values of Gen Z and more consumers who prefer to shop online with brands that care about the planet.
Sustainability can become a powerful differentiator in a crowded ecommerce space, especially when clearly communicated across your online store, and checkout pages.
To reduce shipping costs and speed up delivery, more ecommerce businesses are adopting regional warehousing strategies. By storing inventory closer to international shoppers, retailers can improve international shipping services while reducing shipping costs, minimizing customs delays.
This shift supports the growing demands of the ecommerce market, where fast, affordable shipment options are now expected by customers who shop online globally.
If your store is fulfilling all international orders from a single location, you’re likely facing higher costs, longer transit times, and reduced flexibility in your supply chain. This setup can also hurt the customer experience, especially for buyers who prioritize speed and transparency when making a purchase.
Artificial intelligence is reshaping the way ecommerce businesses approach shipping. Modern, AI-powered tools are optimizing international shipping in real time—factoring in customs documentation, transit times, carrier fees and geopolitical risks. These emerging technologies are transforming the ecommerce landscape, helping brands operate more efficiently in a complex global market.
Relying on static shipping rules or sticking to a single carrier is no longer viable. Online shoppers expect fast, affordable delivery, and many customers will abandon carts if better options aren’t available. As international shipping grows more complex, brands must make informed decisions—not just fast ones.
As global ecommerce grows, the logistics behind it are evolving rapidly. Carrier pullbacks, changing tax rules, sustainability mandates, and shifting consumer expectations all require an increasingly proactive approach.
By staying informed and using advanced tools like VESYL, ecommerce brands can navigate these changes with confidence—and turn global complexity into their competitive advantage.
Ready to future-proof your cross-border shipping strategy? Let’s talk.
International ecommerce offers massive growth potential—but it also comes with complex logistics, higher customer expectations, and a much smaller margin for error. A single misstep in your international shipping strategy can mean delayed orders, surprise fees, or worse: lost customers.
In this guide, we’ll explore the most common international shipping mistakes that ecommerce businesses make, why they happen, and most importantly—how to fix them.
Assuming all countries follow the same import rules is a costly mistake in international shipping. Regulations around customs forms, prohibited items, and documentation requirements vary widely depending on the destination, which directly impacts shipping costs, delivery times, and even whether your package reaches the customer at all. Missing a required document or shipping a restricted item can cause your shipment to be delayed, returned, or destroyed—resulting in wasted money, lost products, and frustrated customers.
For example, while some countries accept digital customs documents, others require printed copies to accompany the parcel. These differences in customs processes can affect estimated delivery time and may require specific international shipping services or carriers like FedEx, UPS, or the local post office.
Before shipping to a new international market, research:
By using advanced shipping software that supports country-specific compliance and offers access to international services, you can save time, reduce shipping expenses, and protect your brand’s reputation while expanding into new global markets. Leverage shipping software like VESYL to ensure proper documentation per country, discounted international shipping rates and increased efficiency.
Failing to calculate or clearly communicate duties and taxes at checkout can result in costly surprises for your customers. When buyers are unexpectedly asked to pay customs fees upon delivery, it often leads to the loss of a loyal customer and damage to your brand. These negative experiences don’t just affect one shipment; they can impact long-term business growth.
To avoid sticker shock, make sure your checkout process accounts for import duties, customs documents, and accurate shipping costs.
Be transparent with customers about duties and taxes before they complete a purchase. Let them know upfront whether these fees are included in the total shipping costs. If they’re not, provide a clear breakdown of any applicable import charges so buyers aren’t hit with unexpected fees upon delivery.
To improve the customer experience, consider offering DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) shipping services. With this option, buyers pay all fees—including duties and taxes—at checkout. Not only does this simplify the process, but it can also help shorten transit times, avoid customs delays, and ensure smoother international shipments.
A landed cost calculator gives customers full visibility into extra costs and can estimate all fees—including tariffs, duties, and brokerage charges—based on:
Pro Tip: Tools like VESYL make it easy to choose between Delivered Duty Unpaid (DDU) and Delivered Duty Paid (DDP) options while you're filling out customs documents and purchasing your international shipping rates—ensuring the right duties and taxes are applied upfront.
International shipments often face longer transit times, multiple carrier handoffs, and exposure to varying temperatures and handling conditions across borders. Using flimsy or inadequate packaging increases the risk of damage, leading to higher return rates, lost revenue, and dissatisfied customers.
Choose packaging that protects against crushing, moisture, and rough handling during international shipping. Avoid reusing boxes or relying on single-layer protection, especially for long transit times.
Smaller, well-padded parcels reduce dimensional weight charges and help lower overall shipping costs—without compromising the safety of your shipment.
Always include:
Choosing the wrong shipping company or international shipping service can lead to longer delivery times, higher shipping costs, and limited tracking. A carrier that works well for domestic orders may fall short when it comes to international shipments.
Use multi-carrier shipping software to compare:
What’s best for Canada may not be ideal for Australia. Use data to choose the most reliable and cost-effective carrier for each region.
Work with a fulfillment partner like VESYL to negotiate bulk international shipping discounts, improve margins and simplify workflows for enhanced global growth.
International customers expect transparency. If your package goes dark after it leaves the country, it erodes trust, increases support tickets for your CX team, and reduces repeat purchases.
Choose carriers that support full international tracking, not just within the origin country. Integrate tracking into your post-purchase experience via email and customer portals.
VESYL aggregates tracking data across multiple carriers in one dashboard, keeping your customers informed and reducing WISMO (Where Is My Order) support volume.
Missing or inaccurate customs forms delay shipments and increase the risk of packages being returned to sender. It can also lead to costly fines or penalties.
Use a shipping platform that auto-generates customs documentation (e.g., commercial invoices, CN22/CN23 forms) based on SKU data.
Reminder: Always review the destination country’s requirements—if digital customs forms aren’t accepted, print and securely attach them to the outside of the package in a visible sleeve.
A generic shipping experience that doesn’t account for local language, currency, or delivery preferences creates friction and reduces conversions.
Let customers shop and check out in their local language and currency. Show shipping quotes and delivery timelines that reflect regional realities.
In some countries, local carriers or pickup points are preferred over global couriers. Providing these options boosts trust and satisfaction.
Ecommerce returns are inevitable—especially in certain industries. Restrictive return policies can discourage international buyers from completing a purchase, while complicated or costly return processes can hurt your brand reputation and reduce customer loyalty.
Make returns easy by:
For lower-cost items, it may be more economical to issue a refund without requiring a return, depending on the destination and product value.
Top tip: VESYL simplifies returns by offering discounted return labels and QR codes, allowing customers to drop off their package directly with the carrier—no printing required.
Trying to manage international shipping in-house can quickly become overwhelming, especially as order volume grows.
A fulfillment partner like VESYL helps streamline international operations with:
Having a single platform to manage global orders, tracking, and support creates a more seamless customer experience and streamlined managment for you.
International customers are ready to buy—but only if you deliver a seamless, transparent, and affordable shipping experience. By avoiding the common mistakes above and implementing smart fixes, your ecommerce business can:
VESYL helps ecommerce brands scale internationally with smart shipping software, rate comparison tools, and expert fulfillment support. Ready to stop losing international sales? Talk to our team today.
As the festive season kicks into gear, the holiday hustle is officially underway. To make sure your packages arrive on time and to keep your customers happy, we've compiled a comprehensive guide to the UPS 2024 holiday shipping deadlines. UPS Domestic Shipments
Recommended send-by dates for expected delivery before December 25th.
Recommended send-by dates for expected delivery before December 25.
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us directly through the chat box on our website or at hello@VESYL.com.
