Introduction
In an increasingly connected world, online shopping transcends borders and gives us access to an unprecedented variety of products from all four corners of the globe. But behind the apparent simplicity of a click lies a complex reality: the choice of shopping platform, the reliability of sellers, delivery times, hidden fees, and return guarantees directly influence your experience.
Today, shopping is truly just a click away, but it is not limited to filling a virtual basket. Consumers have several purchasing channels, each with its advantages, limitations, and precautions to take.
- Official websites guarantee authenticity and reliable service, but prices may be higher and returns may be chargeable.
- Marketplaces offer a vast selection and competitive prices, but require careful checking of sellers’ reputations.
- Social networks offer original products and direct contact, but with higher risks and fewer guarantees.
In short, choosing the right channel is the first step to avoiding pitfalls and fully benefiting from global e-commerce. The aim of this guide is also to help you understand the logistics process that allows your purchases to travel from the other side of the world to your doorstep, so you can anticipate delivery times, costs, and formalities, and shop with confidence.
1. Why is international logistics crucial for you?
1.1 Accessing products from all over the world
Today, one click is enough to order an item from the United States, China, or the United Kingdom… as if it came from the shop around the corner.
Result: more choice and often more attractive prices.
But be careful: a .fr or .be website does not guarantee that the product is shipped from France or Belgium. Some platforms use a European domain… while shipping from the other side of the world.
Example: AliExpress has a .fr website, but many of its items are shipped directly from China.
💡 Good habits before buying:
- Check the actual origin of the product
- Check delivery times and conditions (carrier, place of dispatch)
If you cannot quickly find answers to these questions, be cautious and check the general terms and conditions or the return conditions, as these usually provide additional information.
1.2 Speed, costs, and transparency: the keys to a successful purchase
When making international purchases, several factors can influence your experience. Here is what to keep in mind:
1.2.1 Delivery times
- From Europe: delivery within a few days
- From Asia or America: several weeks, depending on the chosen transport method
- Some services such as Amazon Prime offer delivery within 24 hours, or even the same day, even for products coming from far away (thanks to their local warehouses).
💡 Tip: prioritise sellers with a warehouse in Europe to avoid long waits and unpleasant surprises.
1.2.2 Shipping costs
- Standard: cheaper, but slow
- Express: fast, but more expensive
If you order frequently, a subscription such as Amazon Prime can quickly become cost-effective.
1.2.3 VAT and customs duties
- VAT: applied to all products coming from outside the EU
- Customs duties: often applied to electronic products or high-value goods
💡 Tip: You can use practical tools such as Easyship or DutyCalculator to estimate fees before buying.
In summary
International logistics is what allows your product to travel from the other side of the world to your doorstep.
By knowing the right habits regarding origin, delivery times, and costs, you avoid unpleasant surprises and fully enjoy global e-commerce.
2. The role of logistics providers in the purchasing process
2.1 Shared responsibility
Some e‑commerce companies or carriers manage everything, from collection to delivery, including customs clearance. Others focus on specific stages and subcontract the rest to local providers.
Example: YUN Express up to Europe, then La Poste for final delivery.
2.2 Efficient local partners
Major players such as DHL, FedEx, or Asian actors like YUN Express often delegate the final delivery stage to local carriers (such as La Poste, bpost, or Colis Privé). This allows them to focus on the stages where they are most efficient while ensuring fast and flexible delivery.
Advantages:
- Local partners know distribution areas well
- This can speed up final delivery, especially in rural areas
Example: Purchase on Temu
Imagine you buy a product on Temu. Here are two scenarios:
Option 1: Temu manages everything
Temu handles the entire logistics process, including managing service providers. If an issue arises, it is their responsibility to resolve it.
Option 2: Temu delegates to a partner
Here, Temu chooses to entrust management to a provider such as YUN Express. YUN Express then handles all stages, and it is their responsibility to resolve any issues, such as a delivery delay.
2.3 Tracking and transparency: a key issue
The main challenge for consumers is coordination between these different players. Fortunately, more and more tracking services allow you to follow your parcel at each stage of its journey, offering better visibility over the entire process.
💡 Tip: Keep your tracking number safe and use a third‑party application to consolidate all your tracking information and gain visibility over the different parties involved (e.g. AfterShip or Parcelsapp).
3. Marketplaces and their role in logistics
Marketplaces such as Amazon, eBay, or AliExpress facilitate the connection between buyers and sellers, but they also play a key role in logistics.
3.1 Amazon and the FBA model
With this type of service, Amazon manages the entire logistics process for sellers. This includes:
- Product storage: Sellers ship their goods directly to Amazon’s distribution centres, where they are stored until an order is placed.
- Order preparation: Once an order is placed, Amazon handles packaging, labelling, and return management if necessary.
- Final delivery: Amazon also manages shipping to customers using its transport network and ensures delivery deadlines are met.
This solution greatly simplifies the process for sellers, as they do not need to manage inventory, packaging, or delivery logistics themselves. It also allows customers to benefit from a faster, more reliable, and smoother shopping experience, particularly thanks to Prime delivery and simplified returns management.
3.2 Other marketplaces: AliExpress, eBay, etc.
Platforms such as AliExpress work with specialised partners, such as Cainiao, to manage shipping. This makes it possible to centralise operations and offer optimised delivery options for consumers.
Advantages of these logistics solutions:
- Operational efficiency: Sellers no longer need to manage shipping themselves, allowing them to focus on developing their commercial activity.
- Flexibility in carrier choice: Marketplaces select the most suitable carriers for each segment of the delivery journey, based on delivery times, costs, or geographical areas.
- Reduced logistics costs: Thanks to their large volumes, these platforms can negotiate favourable rates with carriers, reducing delivery costs for consumers.
Some sellers may choose to use only part of the logistics services offered, for example by handling one stage of shipping themselves, in order to reduce overall delivery costs.
4. Choosing the best delivery option
4.1 Standard vs. express delivery
- Standard delivery: Cheaper, but slower (around 5 to 21 days).
- Express delivery: Faster (generally 24 to 72 hours), but more expensive.
Some companies, such as Amazon and AliExpress, offer ultra‑fast delivery thanks to local hubs in Europe.
4.2 Pickup point delivery
Pickup points are an economical and convenient option, particularly in France, Belgium, and Luxembourg. These collection points are often as fast as home delivery and allow you to save on shipping costs.
4.3 Shipping costs and taxes
Always check shipping costs and any applicable taxes (such as VAT or customs duties) before finalising your order. Some platforms provide an estimate of these costs at the time of purchase.
💡 Tip: prioritise websites that display “all‑inclusive” prices.
5. In case of delivery or return issues
5.1 Order tracking
Thanks to real‑time tracking, you can know where your parcel is at each stage of the process. In case of delay, contact the seller or carrier directly for more information.
5.2 Returns and refunds
- Free returns: This can be more complicated for international purchases, but some platforms such as Amazon or AliExpress make returns easier.
- Returns via pickup point: More and more websites offer returns via pickup points, which is often cheaper and more convenient.
5.3 Customs fees
When an order is placed outside the Schengen area, customs fees may apply upon delivery. These fees are often calculated based on the value of the purchase, the type of product, and the country of origin. In some cases, these fees can be quite high and unexpected. To avoid unpleasant surprises, services such as Easyship estimate these customs fees in advance and inform you of the exact amount to pay. This allows you to know the total cost of your order, including shipping and customs fees, even before the parcel is shipped. In this way, you can anticipate the costs and avoid unexpected charges upon receipt of your parcel.
6. A problem with your parcel? What should you do?
Sometimes, despite all efforts, problems arise with your order. Here are the most common situations and how to deal with them effectively.
6.1 The contents received are not what you ordered
- First check your order form and the confirmation received by email to confirm the error.
- Quickly contact the seller’s customer service, providing:
- Your order number
- A precise description of the problem
- Photos of the product received
- Request an exchange or a refund according to the seller’s policy.
6.2 Parcel damaged or opened on receipt
- Take photos of the parcel immediately, even before opening it if possible.
- Note all anomalies on the delivery slip at the time of receipt (in the presence of the delivery person).
- Contact the carrier and the seller as soon as possible.
6.3 Delivery delay
- Use the tracking number to check where your parcel is.
- Contact the seller to request clarification on the delivery time.
- In case of a long delay, you may consider a refund or a return, depending on the website’s policy.
6.4 Lost parcel
- Immediately report the loss to the seller and the carrier.
- Request an investigation and, if necessary, a refund or a replacement shipment.
6.5 In case of a dispute: who is responsible?
⚠️ Important for you as a consumer:
- In the event of a problem with your order, the seller from whom you purchased the product is always responsible.
- You have a sales contract with this seller, not directly with the carrier or the logistics platform.
- The seller must handle the steps to resolve the issue, refund you, or exchange your product.
- Carriers or service providers work for the seller, but generally have no legal responsibility towards you.
- If the seller uses logistics partners, it is up to them to deal with those partners to recover their rights or compensation.
In summary
For any order, it is always with the seller that you must assert your rights. Keep all evidence (emails, photos, correspondence) and do not hesitate to insist with the seller to obtain a refund or replacement.
7. Practical tips to optimise your shopping experience
Here are a few tips to ensure your online purchases go smoothly, especially when ordering internationally:
- Always check the origin of the product and the stated delivery times
- Prioritise sellers offering a clear and complete tracking number
- Carefully read return conditions and refund policies
- Use secure payment methods (PayPal, credit card with buyer protection, etc.)
- Consult customer reviews to check the seller’s reliability
- Take out delivery insurance if you are ordering high‑value products
- Track your parcel via a third‑party application to centralise information
