Sell handmade products internationally

Selling handmade products to international customers takes more than a translated product page. Before they order, customers want to know what a piece is made of, what it will cost once delivered and when it will arrive.

These ten checks help you prepare your products, prices and deliveries before you open your store to new markets.

Prepare your products

1. Photograph each piece clearly

Customers can’t hold your work before they buy it, so your photos have to show it in detail. Show the whole piece on a plain background in daylight, close-ups of the material and finish, and the piece in use for scale. A photo of the workshop, with the maker’s agreement, shows the work behind it.

2. Describe materials, size and care

Give the exact dimensions and weight, the materials and care instructions, and say whether the piece is unique or made to order. Use the units your customers know. If each piece varies slightly, say so. (Read the guide to selling in your customers’ languages.)

3. Check what you can send

Some products face extra rules, or are refused, in certain destinations: wood, plant fibres, animal materials such as leather, feathers or shells, cosmetics, food, and ceramics meant for food. Check your carrier’s list of prohibited and restricted items, and the destination’s rules, before you offer a product there.

Set the right price

4. Include every cost

Your price must cover more than materials and time: protective packaging, shipping by weight and size, payment fees and the cost of a possible return. A large or fragile piece can cost far more to send than a small one.

5. Check taxes and import duties

Rules differ between destinations and change over time. Before you sell in a new market, check:

• whether VAT or sales tax applies to your sales there, and whether you need to register or collect it;
• which import duties and handling fees may apply to your products;
• who pays them: you, by including them in your price, or your customer, on delivery.

Confirm these points with the destination’s official tax and customs sources, or with your carrier. This guide is general information, not tax advice.

6. Show the final price clearly

Before customers pay, tell them whether taxes are included and whether duties may be charged on delivery. State the currency you charge in. An unexpected charge at the door can lead a customer to refuse the parcel.

7. Plan how you get paid

Find out which payment methods your customers use and which ones your payment provider offers in their country. Check when the money reaches you, in which currency and with what conversion fees.

Ship with care

8. Prepare the customs declaration

A parcel that crosses a border needs a customs declaration. For postal shipments, this is often the CN23 form; your carrier will tell you which form it needs. Describe each item precisely, with its tariff code, country of origin and real value. An inaccurate declaration can delay the parcel or lead to penalties.

9. Pack for a long journey

Wrap fragile pieces one by one, padded on every side, and use a double box for ceramics and glass. Roll rugs and textiles that shouldn’t crease, in a waterproof cover. Add a card with care instructions in your customer’s language.

10. Explain delivery and returns

List the destinations you deliver to, with realistic delivery times and costs. Explain who pays for a return from abroad and in what condition items can be sent back. Update your pages when a carrier changes its prices or services.

How OumsAI helps

• Three store languages. Offer your storefront and store emails in English, French and Arabic. The AI store manager helps you draft descriptions; review them before publishing.
• Payments through Stripe. Accept cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay and local methods available through Stripe. Available methods depend on your Stripe setup and country.
• Shipping tools. Set delivery fees and print packing slips. From Grow, add rates by region, printable labels, CN23 customs forms and a returns portal.
• Planned features. Live carrier rates, local-currency prices and automatic tax and duty calculation are planned. Until then, set your prices and delivery rates yourself.

Explore the online store → · Explore payments →

Common questions

Do I need a company to sell internationally?

It depends on where you are based and how you sell. Ask an accountant or your local business authority about your situation before your first sale abroad.

Who pays import duties?

You choose, within each destination’s rules. Include them in your price, or tell customers clearly that they may have to pay them on delivery. Ask your carrier which options it offers.

Can OumsAI calculate taxes and duties for me?

Not yet. Automatic tax and duty calculation at checkout is planned. You can already show prices including VAT and show VAT on invoices. Check each destination’s rules yourself.

Can I deliver anywhere?

Only where your carrier delivers and your payment provider can accept your customers’ payments. Start with destinations you can serve reliably, and list them clearly in your store.