Decoding Cross-Border Ecommerce

In the second episode of our four-part series on selecting the best international shipping carrier for your cross-border ecommerce business, hosts Clint Reid, Founder and CEO of Zonos, and Aaron Bezzant, Zonos' Head of Global Trade Strategy, are joined by Taylor Smith and Nicole Cleverly, account managers and experts from the Zonos supply chain team. In this episode of the Decoding Cross-Border Ecommerce podcast, they dive deep into shipping carriers like FedEx, UPS, DHL, and USPS, as well as consolidators, regional carriers, and other major industry players.

They discuss the strengths, service levels, price ranges, delivery speeds, and other important considerations when choosing your shipping partners. Whether you’re a small business or an enterprise, this episode will help you make informed decisions to choose the best carrier and enhance your international shipping strategy.

Links: 

Learn more about Zonos: 
https://zonos.com?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video-link&utm_campaign=podcast ?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video-link&utm_campaign=podcast

Learn about different international shipping carriers:
https://zonos.com/docs/global-ecommerce/shipping-labels/carriers?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video-link&utm_campaign=podcast

UPS, DHL, and FedEx brokerage fees decoded:
https://zonos.com/blog/ups-dhl-fedex-brokerage-fees?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video-link&utm_campaign=podcast

Episode 14 of "Decoding Cross-Border Ecommerce" kicks off a four-part series on selecting the ideal international shipping carrier. Hosts Clint Reid, Founder and CEO of Zonos, and co-host Aaron Bezzant, Zonos' Head of Global Trade Strategy, explore effective strategies for choosing a shipping carrier that aligns with your business objectives. They discuss the critical factors to consider, from managing shipping costs to enhancing global customer satisfaction. Gain actionable insights and expert tips to optimize your e-commerce logistics. Stay tuned for parts 2-4 in the coming weeks!

Links: 

Learn more about Zonos: 

https://zonos.com?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video-link&utm_campaign=podcast

Intuitive shipping episode - Optimize Your Shipping Setup to Boost Conversions: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O6n20p-SuCs&list=PLmRx3ZY5IOe_gkvpWxvK-5gs9w29LA70-&index=13

Carrier fees episode - International cross-border shipping carrier fees explained: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=psNxJR3Q1Vk&list=PLmRx3ZY5IOe_gkvpWxvK-5gs9w29LA70-&index=4

If you ship internationally or want to start, you have probably struggled through the process of filling out a commercial invoice. In this episode of the Decoding Cross-Border Ecommerce podcast, hosts Clint Reid, Founder and CEO of Zonos, and Aaron Bezzant, Zonos' Head of Global Trade Strategy, delve into the dos and don'ts of filling out commercial invoices. Discover these documents' crucial role in international shipping, learn about common pitfalls, and gain expert tips on avoiding costly mistakes. Understanding how to correctly fill out commercial invoices is key to ensuring smooth customs processing and avoiding unnecessary charges. Don't miss out on these essential insights that could save your business time and money!

Links:

Learn more about Zonos:

https://www.zonos.com?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video-link&utm_campaign=podcast

Complete guide to commercial invoices:

https://zonos.com/docs/guides/commercial-invoices?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video-link&utm_campaign=podcast

Electronic commercial invoice guide:

https://zonos.com/docs/guides/electronic-commercial-invoice?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video-link&utm_campaign=podcast

Electronic commercial invoice-supported countries:

https://zonos.com/docs/supply-chain/customs-documentation/supporting-countries-electronic-invoice?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video-link&utm_campaign=podcast

How to handle discounts on a commercial invoice:

https://zonos.com/docs/guides/discounts-on-commercial-invoices?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video-link&utm_campaign=podcast

Customs clearance guide for ecommerce:

https://zonos.com/docs/guides/customs-clearance-for-ecommerce?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video-link&utm_campaign=podcast

Commercial invoice mistakes and how to fix them:

https://zonos.com/docs/guides/commercial-invoice-for-replacement-items?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video-link&utm_campaign=podcast

Certificate and country of origin:

https://zonos.com/docs/guides/certificate-and-country-of-origin?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video-link&utm_campaign=podcast

Air waybill vs. bill of lading:

https://zonos.com/docs/guides/awb-vs-bol?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video-link&utm_campaign=podcast

CARM podcast episode:

https://youtu.be/qzDNUi7xbNc?feature=shared

Discover the key to mastering ecommerce shipping for optimal customer conversion in this insightful episode of the Decoding Cross-Border Ecommerce podcast! Join us for Episode 12 as we welcome industry experts Sharon Green and Joel Reeds, CEO and CTO of Intuitive Shipping, respectively. They share cutting-edge strategies and expert tips to optimize your shipping setup, dramatically reducing cart abandonment and enhancing conversion rates.

Hosts Clint Reid, Founder and CEO of Zonos, and Aaron Bezzant, Zonos' Head of Global Trade Strategy, dive deep into the essentials of configuring your ecommerce shipping solutions, discussing innovative approaches like smart boxing, strategic regional carrier selection, and precise delivery date predictions. This episode is packed with invaluable insights for ecommerce professionals and business owners looking to build a robust shipping framework and improve customer satisfaction.

Don’t miss this opportunity to transform your ecommerce shipping setup. Tune in now for strategies that will take your online business to the next level!

Learn more about Zonos:

https://www.zonos.com?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video-link&utm_campaign=podcast

Learn more about Intuitive Shipping:

https://intuitiveshipping.com?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video-link&utm_campaign=zonos-podcast

​In this episode, Aaron and Clint are joined by Andrew, CTO of Zonos, to explore the company's shift from legacy systems to a cutting-edge technology stack. They discuss overcoming the hurdles of technical debt and the significant benefits of transitioning from REST APIs to GraphQL. This strategic change has streamlined complex workflows for engineers integrating with Zonos while also boosting system interoperability and efficiency. The team shares insights into the redesign of APIs, the transition to a unified GraphQL endpoint, and the broader implications for scalability and efficiency. Don’t miss this episode if you're interested in understanding the substantial advantages of modernizing APIs with GraphQL, especially within the ecommerce landscape.

Links: 

Learn more about Zonos:

https://www.zonos.com

Why GraphQL:

https://zonos.com/docs/supply-chain/why-graphql

Zonos is API first blog: 

https://zonos.com/blog/zonos-is-api-first

Is a Merchant of Record (MoR) service the right choice for your international business? In episode 10 of the Decoding Cross-Border Ecommerce podcast, hosts Clint Reid, Founder and CEO of Zonos, and Aaron Bezzant, Zonos' Head of Global Trade Strategy, dive into the world of MoR. They tackle the ongoing debate surrounding MoR services in cross-border ecommerce, providing clarity on this complex topic.

Discover what MoR entails, its pros and cons, and how businesses can enjoy the benefits without the drawbacks--the best of both worlds. Learn the differences between MoR, payment processors, and exporters of record, as well as the responsibilities and liabilities associated with each. The hosts also discuss the limitations of MoR services, such as slow payout speeds and mishandling of low-value tax schemes.

Don't miss this opportunity to gain expert insights into the MoR landscape and how to navigate it effectively for your business.

Links: 

Learn more about Zonos:

https://www.zonos.com

Subscribe to the Decoding Cross-Border Ecommerce podcast:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLmRx3ZY5IOe_gkvpWxvK-5gs9w29LA70-

Stripe’s merchant of record docs:

https://stripe.com/resources/more/merchant-of-record

Join us as we explore how complex and tedious the process of finding and classifying the correct HS codes is and how the right tool can simplify the process in episode 7 of the Decoding Cross-Border Ecommerce podcast. Join hosts Clint Reid, Founder and CEO of Zonos, and cohost Aaron Bezzant, Zonos' Head of Global Trade Strategy, as they explore the world of automated, AI-driven classification with guests Chanel Barnes, Zonos' Classify Product Manager, and Jonathan Sullivan, Zonos' Head of Data Science.

In this episode, they delve into the challenges of manual classification and the risks of leaving ecommerce shipments to be classified at customs, such as shipment delays and higher duty rates. Learn why accurate, automated HS code classification at checkout is essential and how hierarchical classification processes work. Discover how Zonos Classify, powered by AI and machine learning, has become the most accurate classification tool on the market. The discussion also covers the future of classification automation and the evolution of AI in the industry.

Links:

Zonos website:

https://zonos.com

Zonos Classify features:

https://zonos.com/docs/supply-chain/classify/features

Quality descriptions for accurate classifications:

https://zonos.com/docs/guides/quality-descriptions

Zonos Classify revolutionized cross-border ecommerce:

https://zonos.com/blog/the-evolution-of-classify

Get started with Classify:

https://zonos.com/docs/supply-chain/classify/classifying-goods

Classify confidence scoring:

https://zonos.com/docs/supply-chain/classify/features/confidence-score

HS code validation:

https://zonos.com/docs/supply-chain/classify/features/hs-code-validation

In Episode 8 of the Decoding Cross-Border Ecommerce podcast, hosts Clint Reid, Founder and CEO of Zonos, and co-host Aaron Bezzant, Zonos' Head of Global Trade Strategy, continue their exploration of Canada's CARM project. Joined by brokerage experts Alan Dewar and Mackenzie West from GHY International, they delve into the history, challenges, and impact of the CBSA Assessment and Revenue Management system. 
This episode covers the key aspects of this significant shift in cross-border trade with Canada, from the origins of CARM and the industry-wide panic to the responsibilities of brokers and importers. The discussion also touches on design flaws, payment transparency, and predictions for the future, among other topics. Tune in for an insightful conversation that demystifies the complexities of CARM for businesses and professionals in the trade community.

Zonos website:
Cross-border technology & ecommerce plugins for landed cost | Zonos

Canada cross-border country guide:
A cross-border guide to ecommerce in Canada | Zonos Docs

6 things you need to know about CARM blog:
6 things you need to know about Canada CARM | Zonos

What is Canada CARM and who does it affect?
Canada CARM, what is it and who does it affect? | Zonos

If you are confused or worried about CARM and its implications for ecommerce businesses selling into Canada, you are not alone. This week’s episode simplifies the Canadian Assessment and Revenue Management (CARM) system, an essential topic for any e-commerce business operating in or expanding into Canada. Join Clint Reid, Founder and CEO of Zonos, and Aaron Bezzant, Zonos’ Head of Global Trade Strategy, as they host a comprehensive discussion with Canadian brokerage experts Alan Dewar and Mackenzie West from GHY International—a leading authority in North American customs and trade compliance.

This episode will simplify CARM, highlighting its significance for import operations and the e-commerce sector. Discover who is affected by CARM, the steps they need to take to comply, the categories of businesses required to register, and those exempt. This episode will delve into crucial differences between business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-consumer (B2C) transactions, focusing on duties, taxes,  the role of a Non-Resident Importer (NRI), and how brokers can make this process smoother for importers.

Zonos website:
https://www.zonos.com

Canada cross-border country guide:
https://zonos.com/docs/guides/country-guides/canada

6 things you need to know about CARM blog:
https://zonos.com/blog/six-things-about-canada-carm

What is Canada CARM and who does it affect?
https://zonos.com/blog/what-is-canada-carm

Have you ever wondered how HS codes are assigned to products? Join hosts Clint Reid, Founder and CEO of Zonos, and cohost Aaron Bezzant, Zonos' Head of Global Trade Strategy, for an enlightening discussion in episode 6 of the Decoding Cross-Border Ecommerce podcast. In this episode. They are joined by guests Chanel Barnes, Zonos' Classify Product Manager, and Jonathan Sullivan, Zonos' Head of Data Science, to discuss the intricacies and nuances of product HS code classification.

They discuss the parts that make up an HS code, the distinctions between universal and country-specific classifications, and the variances in international classification practices. With a special focus on the General Rules of Interpretation and peculiar classification scenarios, this conversation sheds light on the complex challenges of managing cross-border shipments. Whether you're a business owner, a logistics professional, or simply curious about the intricacies of international trade, this episode offers invaluable insights into the meticulous world of HS code classification. Stay tuned for the next episode to learn how classifications can be automated.