General Question about International Sales

International Sales

[jwurunner]

First off Happy Holidays everyone.

Hi,
I had some questions about selling internationally. We are a small established US based online company looking to sell to Canada and Puerto Rico. We have been selling in the US since 1996 with a very low credit card fraud rate.
Our biggest fear is having a high fraud rate. We were going to ship Fedex ground. Any advice as to fraud levels to these countries and what to expect?

[Harry]

I don't know about Puerto Ricans, which, by the way are also Americans, but Canadians are just like Americans. Why expect an higher fraud rate from Canada? If there are two countries that work the same, think the same, and do business the same, it's the US and Canada.

Also credit card fraud is probably more difficult in Canada than elswhere as there are but six or seven major banks and they either offer Visa or MC.

Just be aware that Canadians prefer to see prices in Canadians and will look locally if they can get a product, rather than shop outside the country. Don't over charge them on shipping and offer fair currency conversions, and they will come.

The major problem you'll have with Canada is the customs - they charge brokerage, and taxes and stuff to the customer. That's the biggest barrier you have of gaining Canadians clients.