Shoppers say goodbye to surprise tariff expenses with UPS Global Checkout

Lucas Pacentrilli knows firsthand the challenges of running an e-commerce business in today’s global trade environment. He’s president of Phidgets Inc., a Canadian manufacturer of high-tech sensors and control boards.  

Global demand: Many of Lucas' customers are international, so their purchases have to cross a border. That means delivering an easy, transparent and trustworthy checkout experience can set his business apart. 

Game-changing solution: Phidgets Inc. started using UPS Global Checkout after it launched earlier this year. Now, his customers can see the total cost of an order, including shipping, taxes, duties and fees before they complete their purchase – eliminating any surprise charges at delivery.  

"We’ve had customers talk about this for years … they were looking for something that would allow them to know all the costs before buying," Lucas said. “It’s great to be able to give them a breakdown at checkout so they can see exactly what they're getting charged.” 

“Managing tariffs and customs was always a challenge," he added. "We used to calculate these cross-border fees manually, with mixed results, but now Global Checkout is taking that work off of our plates." 

Now, Phidgets Inc can focus on what they do best – building and selling great tech. And the improved transparency at checkout has built customer trust, reduced complaints and cut down returns.  

“Most small businesses don’t have the resources to manage complex international trade laws,” said UPS Global Head of Customs Brokerage Strategy Chris Rubio. “That’s why our customers like that we’ve made importing and exporting as simple as shipping domestically.”  

3 tips small businesses can use to avoid costly mistakes when shipping internationally: 

1. Find a way to avoid any surprise international charges at delivery. UPS Global Checkout offers a guaranteed landed cost – covering all duties, taxes and fees – right at checkout. This transparency allows online shoppers to shop confidently, free from unexpected delivery charges.   
2. Make sure your export documentation is accurate. UPS Export Assure is a suite of AI-powered tools providing shipping and compliance guidance for cross-border shipments. 
3. Choose a digital solution instead of traditional paper commercial invoices. UPS Paperless Invoice is an electronic transmission of shipping documents that facilitates faster, more secure international shipping. 

Ready to simplify cross-border sales? Complete this short form to set up a quick chat with a UPS logistics professional to learn more about UPS Global Checkout.