Using Global Shipping Program (GSP) for Your E-commerce Store

The Global Shipping Program (GSP) is particularly useful for e-commerce sellers who want to expand internationally without building a deep logistics operation. This article is a practical how-to for sellers: what to do before enabling GSP, how to package and ship, and best practices to reduce costs and maintain customer satisfaction.

Getting started: eligibility and settings

• Confirm whether your marketplace supports the Global Shipping Program (GSP) and if your account type is eligible. Marketplaces often require sellers to enroll or opt in to offer GSP on eligible listings.
• Review product eligibility. Exclusions typically include dangerous goods, large or overweight items, perishable goods, and some categories with strict import controls. Verify value thresholds and size limits.
• Decide whether to make GSP the default for international listings or enable it selectively for certain items based on margins and demand.

Packing and preparing shipments

• Use protective packaging: Even though you ship only domestically to a GSP processing center, items will transit internationally afterward. Use sturdy boxes, cushioning, and tamper-evident seals.
• Labeling is critical: Follow the marketplace’s shipping label requirements so packages are quickly processed at the hub. Clear labeling reduces handling delays.
• Declare contents accurately: Since the program handles customs, ensure your item descriptions and declared values are accurate. Incorrect declarations can cause customs holds, fines, or returns.

Pricing and fees: keeping margins healthy

• Factor in GSP service fees when pricing. These can be a percentage of the sale, a flat administrative fee, or built into the international shipping calculation the marketplace shows buyers.
• Decide whether to absorb fees to remain competitive or pass them partially to buyers. Transparent pricing helps reduce cart abandonment caused by surprise fees at checkout.
• Consider minimum order values or free-shipping thresholds to balance the cost of international delivery with conversion rates.

Managing buyer expectations and customer service

• Clearly state estimated delivery windows for international buyers. GSP often takes longer than domestic shipping due to customs and longer transit legs.
• Explain duties and taxes in plain language on your listings: whether they are included in the displayed price, collected at checkout, or paid on delivery. This avoids confusion and returns.
• Provide tracking information and explain the tracking stages: domestic handoff to the GSP hub, international transit, and local carrier delivery. Promptly respond to buyer inquiries about international delays.

Returns, refunds, and damaged goods

• Decide on a returns policy for international orders processed through the Global Shipping Program (GSP). Some sellers elect to have buyers cover return shipping; others provide partial support to improve trust.
• Document the item condition before shipping (photos, serial numbers) to streamline claims for lost or damaged goods during international transit.
• Know how the marketplace handles refunds and claims in GSP cases. Many marketplaces offer seller protections and will assist with claims when the external partners are at fault.

Optimizing listings and inventory

• Prioritize high-margin, lightweight, and non-restricted items for GSP. Bulky or low-value items often have thin margins once international fees are applied.
• Maintain adequate domestic inventory near the shipping origin to ensure fast handoff to the processing center. Delays in shipping to the GSP hub affect the entire international timeline.
• Use clear item descriptions and accurate HS codes when the marketplace allows sellers to suggest or confirm classifications; correct categorization reduces customs issues.

Common mistakes to avoid

1. Assuming GSP covers returns automatically. Clarify return logistics and costs before enabling international offers.
2. Underpricing due to overlooking GSP fees and import taxes. Run cost scenarios including fees, domestic postage to the hub, and packaging.
3. Sending poorly packaged goods. International transit can be rough; inadequate packaging increases damage claims and refunds.

Final tips: experiment and measure

• Start with a pilot: enable GSP for a subset of products and monitor sales lift, return rates, and customer satisfaction.
• Track performance metrics specific to international sales: average delivery time, claim rate, customer feedback, and net margin per international order.
• Adjust listings and policies based on data. If particular markets perform well, consider deeper investment such as regional inventory or alternative shipping strategies.

The Global Shipping Program (GSP) can be a practical, low-risk way for e-commerce sellers to reach international customers. With careful planning—accurate pricing, secure packaging, and clear buyer communication—GSP helps sellers grow global sales while minimizing the usual headaches of cross-border trade.