Today's tech-savvy consumers are an aware lot. Thanks to one click, they can compare goods and services before making a purchase. Technology has also broken down physical barriers, enabling consumers to look beyond borders for a good deal that is not available in their own country. Therefore, many e-commerce merchants are expected to sell and deliver their merchandise across the world.

But it's not that simple.

It starts with what's on your to-do list. Before you begin a cross- border e-commerce venture, you need to have the basics in order: currency conversions, duties and taxes, international advertising, among others. Then you have to ensure that the items in your inventory are eligible for being shipped overseas.

With all these fine details at the forefront, compliance can sometimes seem like a non-issue. This couldn't be further from the truth. As customs regulations vary drastically across countries, expanding into cross-border commerce isn't as simple a throwing a shipping label onto a package and sending out.

Consumer taste is not the only factor that dictates what item can be sold where. Each country has its own set of rules pertaining to sale of goods. For example, chewing gum is strictly forbidden in Singapore, while no dental products with fluoride can make it into Algeria. And then there is Bulgaria, which doesn't allow the import of musical greeting cards while matching pairs of shoes will never make it past the customs folks.

October 20, 2018