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Cracking into the USA eCommerce Market – Webinar with Avalara & GFS 58% of online retailers see Delivery & Taxes as the #1 barrier to US growth In this webinar, GFS (managed multi-carrier parcel services) and Avalara (global tax software) share the practical steps to enter the US — from choosing sales channels to navigating sales tax, delivery and returns. If you are having trouble viewing the video, please allow all browser cookies or watch on YouTube More videos What’s inside the webinar Market opportunity: Why UK brands rank the USA as the #1 eCommerce growth market. Online marketplaces: Using Amazon, eBay, Walmart and niche vertical marketplaces as a lower-risk launch pad. US sales tax basics: State-level rules, economic nexus and product taxability. Delivery & Returns: Building a localised experience that balances cost, speed and control. Marketplaces: fast, low-risk entry Marketplaces can cut acquisition costs and speed time-to-market. A multi-marketplace approach helps spread risk and prevents products getting lost among generalist catalogues. Test categories, price points and regions before scaling D2C. US Sales Tax: what to know (Avalara) Decentralised system: 45 states + DC levy sales tax; thousands of local jurisdictions and rates. Economic nexus: Many states require registration once thresholds are met (commonly $100k revenue or 200 transactions into a state). Physical presence still counts: Holding inventory in a state (e.g. FBA) creates nexus even below thresholds. Product taxability varies: Digital goods/SaaS and even apparel can be taxed differently by state. Compliance tips: Map your activity, register proactively, calculate tax at the full address (not ZIP-only), file accurately and automate to reduce audit risk. Delivery & Returns that convert US customers (GFS) Localised choice: Offer a broad mix of speeds and price points; many US shoppers view 2-day as “fast”, while free delivery is widely expected. Final mile reliability: Use robust national networks for coverage and frequent address changes. End-to-end visibility: Tracked services with proactive notifications and easy proof-of-delivery build trust for cross-border buyers. Data & customs readiness: Accurate HS codes, values, country of origin and paperless trade help avoid delays. Check restricted/prohibited items (e.g., some cosmetics can be classed as drugs). Returns that reassure: Clear policies, tracked options and a local US returns address with consolidation to reduce cost and friction. Keen on getting started with US shipping? Find out more about Shipping to the USA with GFS Managed Multi-Carrier Delivery. Optimise every parcel, every time, everywhere GFS International eCommerce eBook: Overcoming cross-border delivery challenges Download now Contact us - we’re here to help! Get in touch