At a time when global trade is experiencing tensions, new regulations, and a volatile economic environment , logistics must be not only efficient but smart; which is why UPS seeks to empower companies to reach new markets without disruption.
In this sense, the company launched UPS Global Checkout , a solution that seeks to respond to the problem of total transparency in international purchases .
Until now, many online purchases from international sellers had an Achilles’ heel: an unexpected additional bill upon delivery.
Unclear import tariffs, taxes, and fees at checkout led to frustration , complaints, and, in many cases, refunds or cancellations, affecting both consumers and sellers.
Global Checkout seeks to guarantee the total shipping cost in advance, including taxes and fees , allowing the buyer to know exactly how much they will pay before finalizing their purchase . This will be guaranteed for 90 days, taking into account changes in regulations in different countries.
The solution focuses on facilitating international trade, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) , which face multiple barriers to export in countries like Mexico.
According to Rosalva Rivera, Marketing Director for UPS Latin America, only 10% of Mexican SMEs currently export , a figure the company is seeking to change.
“We are very focused on facilitating trade from one country to another, on providing the tools that make it easier. We want SMEs to be encouraged to take advantage of these global opportunities,” Rivera told T21.
Global Checkout can be linked via API or directly to the UPS shipping system , allowing for automatic calculation of duties and fees without the company having to send product catalogs or additional complex information.
Using artificial intelligence , the system recognizes the selected product and generates a tariff classification in real time, allowing the buyer to receive a clear and definitive breakdown of the cost of their purchase, including VAT, import duties, and any other applicable fees in the destination country .
Regulatory agility and global adaptability
Rivera explained that UPS has invested in creating a technological and regulatory infrastructure capable of adapting to constant changes in tax laws, trade policies, and customs regulations.
“We’re seeing a lot of uncertainty in the global environment, but we also see that clients don’t want to slow down their businesses. Our challenge is to help them prevent that from happening by adapting quickly and absorbing changes in infrastructure or technology so they don’t feel the impact,” he noted.
This effort includes a specialized government affairs division , which collaborates with authorities in Mexico, the United States, and other countries to highlight the role of trade in local economies and promote regulations that facilitate the flow of goods.
“Consumers want speed, flexibility, and control, but above all, they want transparency, they don’t want surprises. And for businesses, a customer rejecting a product due to unexpected charges can mean a significant financial loss,” Rivera explained.
Global Checkout is now available in 43 countries of origin and allows shipping to more than 200 international destinations .
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