Signs It’s Time to Find a Better Global Partner
You’ve done the hard part — you’re selling internationally. But if your conversion rates are stagnant, your customer experience isn’t improving, or your support tickets are piling up, it might not be your brand that’s the problem.
It might be your international provider.
Here’s how to tell when it’s time to make a change — and what to look for next.
1. Your international sales are stuck below 10%
For most growing ecommerce brands, international revenue should make up at least 10–20% of total sales within the first year of scaling abroad.
If your international mix is still below that threshold, it’s a sign your current setup isn’t optimized — whether it’s checkout friction, unclear duties, or slow delivery speeds holding you back.
“We’d been trying to grow internationally for over a year, but the experience was clunky and confusing for our customers. When we switched to Passport, everything just worked — conversion rates jumped within weeks.”
— Ogee
2. Your provider’s onboarding took months — and support feels the same
Lengthy onboarding shouldn’t be the standard. You deserve a partner who moves as fast as you do.
If every integration or configuration takes weeks, or if getting a response to a support ticket feels like pulling teeth, it’s time to rethink your partner.
A great international solution should feel like an extension of your team, not another system you have to chase down.
3. You’re getting no proactive help
If your provider isn’t helping you optimize your storefront or checkout for international conversions, you’re missing a major growth opportunity.
Look for a partner who:
- Analyzes your current international funnel and identifies leaks
- Offers best practices for localizing pricing and duties
- Helps you test new markets strategically
Passport does this with every brand we support — because we know growth doesn’t stop at the checkout page.
4. Customers are complaining about poor shipping experiences
Few things kill global growth faster than delivery problems.
If your customers are facing long transit times, unexpected duty bills, or missing packages, you’re losing both repeat business and brand trust.
A reliable international provider should offer:
- Transparent tracking and proactive delivery updates
- Fast, predictable transit times
- Hassle-free returns
- Localized support when issues arise
“Passport has been a game-changer for our shipping experience. Our customers finally trust international delivery — and we’ve seen that reflected in repeat purchases.”
— Carpe
5. You’re managing too many service tickets yourself
If you’re constantly mediating between your provider, your 3PL, and your customers, your “partner” isn’t really partnering.
A strong cross-border solution should reduce your workload — not add to it. Passport’s dedicated customer success and logistics teams handle international exceptions before they hit your inbox, keeping your operations smooth and your team focused on growth.
6. You have to wait weeks to get paid
If you’re stuck waiting weeks — or even longer — for payout from your international provider, that’s a red flag.
Many Merchant of Record (MoR) models act as middlemen, collecting funds from your international customers and remitting them to you after layers of processing. While that may simplify compliance, it can disrupt cashflow and leave you waiting for revenue you’ve already earned.
That’s why Passport built a better approach.
With Passport Seller of Record®, you get the best of both worlds:
- Full international tax compliance and VAT management
- Direct payments from your customers — no middlemen
- No cashflow delays or payout holds
You keep control of your customer relationship and your funds, while we handle the complexity behind the scenes.
It’s a smarter, brand-first model designed for long-term scalability and trust.
7. Transparency matters — and you deserve more of it
At Passport, transparency isn’t optional.
From pricing and duties to carrier routing and delivery visibility, we believe every brand deserves clear insight into what’s happening with every shipment.
When you can see performance metrics in real time — and trust your partner to flag issues early — scaling internationally becomes far more predictable.
Final Thoughts
If you’re hitting a ceiling with your current international provider, don’t settle. The right partner can unlock massive upside in conversion, customer experience, and profitability — often without increasing spend.
Switching doesn’t have to be complicated. With Passport, it’s seamless.
Ready for a global partner that grows with you? Talk to our team now.
