Think expanding internationally is a logistics horror story waiting to happen? Between customs delays, high shipping costs, and tales of parcels stuck in limbo somewhere over the Atlantic, global fulfillment can feel like something best left to the big guys.
But here’s the truth: most of the things holding brands back from going global? They're myths. Outdated assumptions. Old wives’ tales passed around at eCommerce conferences.
So, let’s set the record straight. From our warehouses on both sides of the pond (and a few in between), we’re busting the most common global fulfillment myths US brands face — and showing you how to grow across borders without losing your mind, your margin, or your reputation.
Myth #1: "International shipping is slow, expensive, and unreliable"
This one gets wheeled out every time global growth comes up in conversation. “Sure, we’d love to sell in Europe, but shipping takes forever.” Or “We’d go global, but we can’t afford to risk delays.”
Truth is, international shipping isn’t the wild west it used to be. With modern carrier integrations, route optimization, and local fulfillment centers, products can travel from the US to the UK (and vice versa) in just a few days — with full tracking, reliable service, and transparent costs.
Did you know that fulfilmentcrowd’s tech connects directly with regional and global carriers across all our territories — including the US, UK, EU, and beyond — helping you access competitive rates, smart routing, and service-level automation? So no, you don’t have to choose between fast and affordable. You can have it all, people!
Myth #2: "Customs will be a nightmare"
Yes, customs paperwork used to be a headache. But you know what else used to be complicated? Dial-up internet. We’ve moved on.
Customs compliance is now built into many fulfillment platforms — including ours. With automated documentation, tax and duty calculation, and proactive error handling, your parcels won’t get stuck at the border wondering what a ‘harmonized code’ even means.
Plus, our local fulfillment centers in the UK, Netherlands, and Germany can serve customers across Europe with in-country or intra-EU shipping, meaning your products often skip customs altogether.
Shipping from our UK or EU centers to the US? We handle export declarations and ensure all documentation is prepped and filed electronically, saving you time, money, and a lot of aspirin.
Myth #3: "Returns will be a logistical disaster"
International returns don’t have to feel like trying to reverse a cargo ship. The key is having local or regional return hubs — something fulfilmentcrowd offers in the UK, EU, and now the US too.
This means your customers don’t have to send items halfway across the world. We process them locally, handle inspections, and even offer integration with your returns platform so you get real-time updates and return reason data.
We also support circular economy models, so if you're looking to resell returned items or repackage and restock, we’ve got your sustainability goals covered, too.
Myth #4: "It’s only worth it if you’re a huge brand"
Nope. Global fulfillment isn’t just for the Nikes and Amazons of the world. With flexible pricing models, no long-term contracts, and scalable tech, fulfilmentcrowd helps growing US brands test and expand into new territories without major upfront investment.
Whether you’re a TikTok-born brand shipping 100 orders a week or a scaling powerhouse ready to take on Europe, our model flexes with you.
We’ve worked with:
- Indie beauty brands launching in Germany
- US fashion labels cracking the UK market
- Subscription boxes expanding into France
- Tech gadgets testing sales in Ireland
And each one had the same concern: “Are we big enough for this?” Spoiler: they were.
Myth #5: "It’s too complex to manage multiple territories"
Trying to juggle inventory, orders, and returns across three countries? Sounds exhausting. Unless you have one platform to manage it all.
With fulfilmentcrowd, your global operations are managed from one intuitive dashboard. Real-time inventory visibility, localized carrier integrations, and performance analytics across territories, it’s all in there.
Our platform lets you:
- View and route orders from any warehouse
- Manage SKUs and inventory globally
- Set region-specific shipping rules
- Customize packaging or documentation by market
- See performance and cost data in one place
So whether you're shipping from Massachusetts, Manchester, or Münster, you're in full control — without the chaos.
Myth #6: "Our customers won’t want to wait for cross-border delivery"
Here’s the thing: customers are willing to wait a little longer if you set clear expectations and offer great service. But with fulfilmentcrowd’s strategic location network, many won’t have to.
We offer same- or next-day delivery options in the UK and EU, with 2-5 day delivery to most of the US from our UK or EU hubs (and vice versa). Combined with transparent tracking, branded delivery communications, and clear returns policies, you’re giving customers a premium experience — even across borders.
Want to go local? You can even hold inventory in multiple regions to reduce delivery times to just 1-2 days in core markets.
Myth #7: "Fulfillment partners don’t understand local markets"
Some don’t. We do.
We’ve been helping brands scale globally for a decade, and we don’t just know the regions we serve, we live and breathe them. From navigating UK bank holidays to optimizing for German packaging laws, our in-market teams and compliance experts are on hand to keep you informed and one step ahead.
We currently operate in:
- United States
- United Kingdom
- Netherlands
- France
- Germany
- Ireland
- Australia
So whether you’re looking to grow from the US into Europe, or expand your US presence from across the pond, we’ve got the people, the platforms, and the processes in place.
Final myth? "Global fulfillment is too risky"
Let’s flip that.
Sticking to one market is the real risk. If the past few years have taught us anything, it’s that demand shifts fast, markets fluctuate, and flexibility is your biggest asset.
Going global doesn’t have to mean going big — or going broke. It just means going smart.
With a scalable model, local expertise, and one smart platform, we help US brands thrive internationally - without the hassle.
By Alice Davies