Operating a Store Outside the US: Essential Tips

Change your store's core settings to match your location by adjusting the currency, measurement standards, and language in your store settings. For international audiences, consider creating a multilingual site.

Use a local domain that matches your region (e.g., .com.au for Australia or .de for Germany) to build trust with local customers.

Currency and Measurements:

• Your store currency automatically matches your payment processor's linked bank account
• Change to metric measurements for weight (kilograms) and dimensions (meters) in Language settings
• Adjust shipping calculations based on your preferred measurement system

Legal Compliance:

• Create an Imprint page for EU countries to display required business information
• Follow local email marketing laws by managing newsletter opt-ins at checkout
• Implement GDPR compliance for EU customers
• Enable tax-inclusive pricing where required

International Shipping:

• Set up shipping zones for countries you serve
• Use extensions like Easyship or Shippo for discounted international rates
• Enable automated returns and tracking through shipping partners

Tax Management:

• Create specific tax rules for different countries
• For Canada, set up provincial tax rates in addition to country-wide tax
• Configure tax-inclusive pricing for markets where it's standard

These adjustments will help ensure your store meets local requirements and provides a seamless experience for international customers.

By following these guidelines, you'll maintain compliance with local regulations while offering a professional shopping experience tailored to your target market.

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