• Evaluate your goals. What do you want to accomplish for your product and your backers – both in the short and long term – in order to provide a great post-backing experience?

• Set up your shipping policy.

• • Understand where your largest markets are and how to get your product there in an affordable and effective way.
  • Research shipping restrictions as well as the tax and duty information of the countries you’ll be shipping to.
  • Determine if your shipments require special handling and documentation.
    • Shipping management tools, like Easyship, can provide pre-filled documents specific to fragile items and dangerous goods.
  • Obtain updated Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) and UN 38.3 (test form) if you’re shipping electronics containing batteries, magnets, or liquids.
  • Things to note:
    • Consider purchasing insurance for goods valued at over $100, including coverage for any lost, damaged or stolen shipments.
    • If you’re fulfilling from another country, investigate how to minimize or avoid tariffs, taxes, and duties with direct injection strategies.

• Plan your local, regional, and global shipping strategy based on the following:

• • Legalities
  • Payment terms
  • Expected shipping costs
  • Fulfillment needs
  • Return and refund policies

• Plan your fulfillment strategy.
• • Contact your suppliers and submit your inventory orders.
  • Identify your fulfillment method.
    • On your own
      • Create an Easyship account, upload your orders, generate labels, and ship directly from your home or business.
    • With a new 3PL partner
      • Choose a warehouse in the country that fits your needs and allows you to expand into new markets with Easyship’s global fulfillment network.
    • With an existing 3PL:
      • Connect to any 3PL’s warehouse management system via API
  • Deliver your inventory to your 3PL (if applicable)

• Find the best couriers to provide solid customer service and support long-term business growth. 

• • Research and compare different shipping providers.
    • Choose from postal services, express couriers, and regional couriers.
  • Check courier rates or link your own rates to your shipping platform

• Deliver a smooth post-purchase experience.

• • Provide fully branded tracking emails and packing slips to keep in touch with customers throughout the shipping and delivery process.
  • Increase revenues by upselling on your tracking page. Take advantage of your landing page to promote new product launches and specials.

A lot goes into planning an effective shipping and fulfillment strategy. When you partner with a shipping expert like Easyship, your shipping plan will account for the needs of both your business and your backers. Good luck!

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Note: Indiegogo entrepreneurs have complimentary access to Easyship logistics consultants at any stage of their product development, from planning, to warehousing and post campaign funding. If you’re an entrepreneur with a product, Easyship can help it get to your backers.