FedEx’s bid to Enhance Cross-Border E-Commerce Transparency
Cross-border e-commerce is already enjoying a significant boom as more and more consumers do their shopping online and search relentlessly for the best-possible deals.
According to a 2023 study conducted by Juniper Research, transactions of this nature are expected to surge by 107% – reaching more than US$3.6tn – over the next five years.
However, a 2021 Statista survey found that 59% of consumers expect to pay additional fees or duties upon delivery that were not previously disclosed to them, while two-thirds expect international purchases to arrive later than promised.
It’s why FedEx Express, the world’s largest express transportation company, is working with Zonos, a leader in cross-border technology, to significantly enhance the global online shopping experience by creating transparency on customs processes and charges.
The alliance enables UK and EU retailers to expand their market reach confidently and easily while ensuring customer satisfaction through timely and transparent delivery processes.
Increasing e-commerce transparency
With more than five decades of experience under its belt and annual revenue of US$88m, FedEx provides customers and businesses worldwide with a broad portfolio of transportation, e-commerce and business services.
The organisation offers integrated business solutions through operating companies that come together to compete collectively, operate collaboratively and innovate digitally.
By leveraging Zonos’ innovative cross-border technology and FedEx’s extensive logistics network and services, the pair’s collaboration directly addresses customers’ cross-border e-commerce concerns by helping to eliminate unexpected charges and reduce shipping delays.
Zonos’ automated solutions inform shoppers of the total cost of their purchases, allowing them to pay all duties, taxes, and fees at checkout – ensuring packages are fully prepaid when shipped.
Combined with the automatic generation of Harmonised System (HS) codes and accurate documentation, the customs clearance process is significantly expedited, greatly reducing the risk of packages being held.
FedEx offers transparent delivery costs, including a range of options for delivery of shipments with prepaid customs charges, as well as full tracking.
What’s more, the partnership offers solutions to automate compliance for cross-border tax scheme collection and remittance and EU Import Control System 2 (ICS2) requirements, simplifying the regulatory landscape for retailers.
“FedEx and Zonos are paving the way for e-commerce businesses to navigate the complexities of cross-border trade,” explains Stijn Meeus, E-Commerce Managing Director at FedEx Express.
“This collaboration enables our customers to ship more easily and transparently internationally and improve the recipient experience. Together we're unlocking the true potential of e-commerce, one simplified journey at a time.’’
Enabling seamless international services
Zonos is on a mission to create trust in global trade with API and plug-in technology that allows e-commerce and logistics companies to simplify and scale their international business processes.
By removing barriers for businesses to sell across borders and enabling carriers to offer seamless international services, the firm is continuing to make global markets more accessible to everyone.
“Zonos has always supported FedEx customers selling globally; now it just gets better,” adds Clint Reid, Founder and CEO of Zonos. “The alliance means we can onboard FedEx customers faster and with a more seamless integration than ever before.
“Cross-border ecommerce is complicated, but, with the FedEx alliance, we’re taking one more step in making it simpler and easier while enhancing the customer experience and driving growth for our retailers.”
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