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    Dec 22,2023

    READY TO EXPAND YOUR ONLINE BUSINESS INTO THE GCC?

    Cross-border ecommerce is helping to create a one world-one market environment, and online retailers are adopting internationally-focused ecommerce strategies because:

     

    • Technology is making it easier to expand into new markets
    • The growth of internet use in international markets is making expansion more lucrative
    • Help is available for merchants of all sizes wishing to engage in cross-border ecommerce

     

    For these reasons, the GCC is one of the many global markets that online businesses from the USA and the United Kingdom are targeting. 

    Will cross-border ecommerce be successful for your business?

    Hopefully, armed with the information in this article, you are much better prepared and ready to find out.

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    DETERMINE YOUR RETURNS POLICY

    Returns can quickly hit your profits. There are multiple reasons for returns, such as:   Wrong item shipped Customer made a mistake Goods are damaged in transit   Be sure your returns policy is clearly stated on your website, and do all you can to limit the causes for product returns. Key Import Regulations in the GCC Cross-Border Ecommerce Market The GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) is a political and economic agreement between Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, and Bahrain. Businesses importing goods into the GCC from the USA and United Kingdom will be subject to tariffs, a tax levied on imports to the GCC. Each country or union in the GCC has specific individual regulations. Generally speaking, though, a levy of 5% of the value of the goods applies to most products imported from countries outside of the GCC. This duty rises to between 12% and 20% for goods that compete with those already in production or manufacture in the GCC. Customs declarations must be ready for inspection at the customs entry point, with local invoices attached to verify the value and country of origin of the goods. If this sounds burdensome, it’s because very often, it is. It’s a good idea then, to secure the services of a shipping agent or freight forwarder to negotiate the minefield of rules, regulations, and paperwork for you.

    ARE YOUR PRODUCTS IN-DEMAND?

    You must consider whether there is a market for your goods in the GCC. As a guide, some of the most popular categories of goods with customers in the GCC are:   Children’s toys Clothing Footwear Beauty products Healthcare products   What Cultural Differences Exist? The GCC is largely formed of Islamic nations with large populations of expats. There are stricter rules on the sale and consumption of alcohol than in the USA and United Kingdom. Furthermore, while holidays such as Christmas and Thanksgiving are observed by some, the major event for exchanging gifts is Eid al-Fitr, a festival marking the end of Ramadan. That said, Western shopping trends such as Black Friday and Cyber Monday are catching on in the region, and could offer a great opportunity to boost sales.

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