Shopify Cross-Border Shipping: How to Sell from Czech Republic to All of Europe

The European Union is home to over 450 million people. Add other European countries, and you have a market of nearly 750 million potential customers. Yet most Czech e-commerce stores sell only domestically. Why? Often due to concerns about complicated logistics, customs formalities, and shipping setup.

The reality is much more favorable. Shopify is a platform built for international sales, and with today's shipping services, cross-border shipping is easier than ever before. This guide will show you how to set up cross-border shipping from the Czech Republic to the EU, from the easiest first step (Slovakia) to full-scale European expansion.

Why Your Store Should Sell Internationally

International expansion is not just for large companies. Even a small Czech e-commerce store can benefit from selling across borders.

A larger market means more customers. The Czech Republic has 10 million inhabitants. Slovakia has another 5.5 million. Germany has 84 million. Poland has 38 million. Each additional country dramatically expands your addressable market.

Risk diversification. If you sell only in one country, you depend on its economic situation. International sales spread the risk.

Higher margins in some markets. In Western European countries, customers are often willing to pay higher prices. A product you sell for 500 CZK in the Czech Republic might cost 30 EUR in Germany.

Lower competition in some categories. Specialized Czech-made products can be unique abroad.

Shopify supports it natively. Unlike local platforms, Shopify is built from the ground up for international sales. Multilingual stores, multiple currencies, international shipping - all of this is part of the platform.

Czech Republic to Slovakia: The Easiest International Market

If you are not yet selling abroad, Slovakia is the ideal first step. But it is not just about geographic proximity.

Why Slovakia Is Low-Hanging Fruit

Language similarity. Most Slovaks understand Czech and vice versa. You do not need to translate your entire website, just minor adjustments in key texts (checkout, emails, FAQ). Many Czech e-commerce stores operate on the Slovak market without any translation at all.

Same currency is not required. Although Slovakia uses the euro and the Czech Republic uses the koruna, conversion on Shopify is trivial today. Customers see prices in their currency automatically.

Same carriers. This is crucial. Packeta, DPD, GLS - all these carriers operate in both countries. You do not need to sign new contracts or change your workflow. A shipment to Bratislava is created the same way as a shipment to Brno.

Shared pickup points. Packeta has over 1,500 pickup points in Slovakia. DPD and GLS also have dense ParcelShop networks. Slovak customers are used to the same delivery model as Czechs.

No customs, no additional taxes. Slovakia is in the EU, so shipments flow freely. No customs declarations, no surprises for the customer.

How to Start Selling to Slovakia

1. Add Slovakia to your shipping zones. In Shopify, go to Settings, then Shipping and Delivery. Either add Slovakia to your existing zone with the Czech Republic, or create a separate zone for specific Slovak rates.

2. Set shipping prices. International shipping CZ to SK is usually more expensive than domestic, but not dramatically. Packeta to Slovak pickup points typically costs 10-20 CZK more than Czech rates. DPD and GLS have similar surcharges.

3. Verify cash on delivery support. If you offer COD in the Czech Republic, check whether your carrier supports it for Slovak shipments. Packeta and DPD support COD to Slovakia.

4. Add Slovak payment methods. Card payment works everywhere, of course. If you want to offer Slovak customers local options, consider adding a payment gateway that supports Slovak bank transfers.

5. Localize key texts. Even without full translation, at least adjust the checkout flow, confirmation emails, and FAQ. Slovak customers will appreciate seeing "Dakujeme za objednavku" instead of "Dekujeme za objednavku."

Expanding to Other EU Markets

Once you have the Slovak market up and running, other countries are the logical next step. But not all markets are equally easy.

Neighboring Countries: Poland, Germany, Austria, Hungary

Geographic proximity means faster delivery and lower shipping costs. However, each of these countries has its specifics.

Poland is a huge market (38 million people) with growing e-commerce. Polish customers prefer local carriers (InPost, Poczta Polska), but international carriers like DPD and GLS work without problems here. The language barrier requires website translation.

Germany is the wealthiest European market. Customers expect flawless service and fast delivery. DPD and GLS are dominant here. Germans have high standards for customer service - plan for German-speaking support.

Austria is smaller but has high purchasing power. Culturally and linguistically close to Germany, so a German version of your website covers both markets. DPD has excellent coverage.

Hungary is a more price-sensitive market. GLS is very strong here. Packeta has over 4,000 pickup points in Hungary. The language barrier is significant - Hungarian has nothing in common with Czech.

Western Europe: France, Italy, Spain, Benelux

These markets are interesting for their size, but require more effort.

Delivery takes longer. A shipment to Spain can take 5-7 business days compared to 2-3 days to Slovakia.

Higher shipping costs. International rates are significantly higher. The question is whether the customer will accept 15 EUR shipping for a 30 EUR product.

Localization is essential. You will not succeed in these countries without a website in the local language. French and Spanish customers shop primarily in their own language.

Returns are more complicated. EU customers have the right to return within 14 days. International returns are logistically challenging and expensive.

Northern Europe: Scandinavia, Baltics

Interesting markets with high purchasing power (Scandinavia) or growing e-commerce (Baltics). English works well here as a business language. However, delivery is slower and more expensive than to Central Europe.

Shipping Zones in Shopify: Proper Setup

Shipping zones are the foundation of international sales on Shopify. They determine which countries you ship to and at what price.

How to Structure Zones for a Czech Store

Zone 1: Czech Republic The domestic market with the lowest prices and fastest delivery.

Typical rates:

• Packeta pickup point: 69-79 CZK
• Home delivery (PPL, DPD, GLS): 89-129 CZK
• Packeta Z-BOX: 59-69 CZK

Zone 2: Slovakia The nearest foreign market, similar prices to the Czech Republic with a slight surcharge.

Typical rates:

• Packeta pickup point SK: 89-99 CZK
• DPD / GLS home delivery: 129-149 CZK

Zone 3: Central Europe (PL, DE, AT, HU) Neighboring countries with reasonable shipping costs.

Typical rates:

• Packeta pickup point: 109-149 CZK (4-5 EUR)
• DPD / GLS home delivery: 199-299 CZK (8-12 EUR)

Zone 4: Rest of EU More distant European countries.

Typical rates:

• Packeta: 149-199 CZK (6-8 EUR)
• DPD / GLS: 299-449 CZK (12-18 EUR)

Zone 5: Non-EU Europe (UK, CH, NO) Countries outside the EU require customs declarations. Consider whether it is worth it for you.

Setting Up Zones in Shopify

1. Go to Settings, then Shipping and Delivery 2. In the Shipping section, click on the shipping profile 3. Create a new zone by clicking Create shipping zone 4. Select countries for the zone 5. Add shipping rates (flat or weight-based)

Tip: You can have multiple shipping profiles for different product types. For example, heavy products can have different rates than light ones.

Weight-Based vs Flat Rates

For international shipping, weight-based rates are often better. The price difference between a 500g package and a 5kg package is dramatic - a flat rate would either be too expensive for small shipments or unprofitable for large ones.

Shopify allows you to set price tiers based on weight:

• 0-1 kg: 99 CZK
• 1-3 kg: 149 CZK
• 3-5 kg: 199 CZK
• 5-10 kg: 299 CZK

Carriers for International Shipments from the Czech Republic

Choosing a carrier for cross-border shipping depends on the destination country, shipment type, and customer expectations.

DPD Classic International

DPD is one of the largest European parcel carriers. The network covers the entire EU, and DPD Classic International service is the standard choice for B2C international shipments.

Advantages:

• Delivery within 2-5 business days across the EU
• Real-time shipment tracking
• Dense pickup point networks (DPD Pickup) throughout Europe
• COD support to selected countries
• Unified API for all destinations

Ideal for: Medium and larger packages to Central and Western Europe.

GLS International

GLS has a strong position in Central Europe, especially in Germany, Austria, Hungary, and the Balkans. Prices are often competitive with DPD.

Advantages:

• Competitive prices for Central Europe
• GLS ParcelShop network in many countries
• Flexible delivery options

Ideal for: Shipments to Germany, Austria, Hungary, and Southeast Europe.

Packeta to 30+ Countries

Packeta is not just a Czech carrier. Packeta operates in more than 30 European countries with its own pickup point network or connections to local partners.

Advantages:

• Pickup points across Europe (both own Z-POINTs and partner networks)
• Competitive prices for smaller packages (up to 5-10 kg)
• Unified interface for all countries
• Simple integration - one carrier for both domestic and international shipments

Countries with pickup points: Slovakia, Poland, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Germany, Austria, France, Italy, Spain, and more.

Ideal for: Smaller packages with pickup point delivery across the EU.

Czech Post for Economic Shipping

Czech Post offers international services at lower prices, but with longer delivery times.

Advantages:

• Lowest prices for light shipments
• Worldwide coverage (not just EU)
• Well-known brand for older customers

Disadvantages:

• Longer delivery time (7-14 days in EU)
• Less reliable tracking
• Limited pickup point options abroad

Ideal for: Price-sensitive customers who are willing to wait longer. Good as an "economy" option alongside faster alternatives.

Which Carrier to Choose?

For most Czech e-commerce stores expanding to the EU, the optimal combination is:

1. Packeta for pickup points across the EU - unified interface, competitive prices 2. DPD or GLS for home delivery - fast, reliable, professional 3. Czech Post as an economy alternative (optional)

With an app like ShipDock, you can manage all these carriers from one place, without needing to log into different portals.

New EU Customs Rules 2026

From 2026, the European Union is changing rules for imports from third countries. The removal of the exemption for items under 150 EUR means that even small shipments from China or the USA will be subject to customs duties and VAT.

What does this mean for Czech stores selling within the EU? Directly, nothing - shipments between EU member states are not subject to customs or VAT when crossing borders. But indirectly, it may have a positive effect: customers who previously bought cheap products from Aliexpress or Temu may start preferring European suppliers due to predictable prices without additional fees.

You can read more about customs rules and their impact on e-commerce in our article about the new EU customs rules 2026.

Shopify Markets: Multilingual and Multi-Currency Store

Shopify Markets is a tool for managing international sales. It allows one store to sell to multiple countries with localized content, prices, and currencies.

What Shopify Markets Can Do

Multiple currencies. Customers see and pay in local currency. Prices convert automatically based on the current exchange rate, or you can set fixed prices for each market.

Localized pricing. You can set different prices for different markets. For example, a product priced at 1,000 CZK in the Czech Republic can cost 45 EUR in Germany (instead of automatic conversion to 39 EUR).

Multilingual content. Your store can have multiple language versions. A customer from Germany sees the German version, from Slovakia the Slovak version.

Local domains. You can use local domains (shop.cz, shop.de, shop.sk) or subdomains (de.shop.com, sk.shop.com).

Automatic geolocation. Shopify detects the customer's country and displays the corresponding store version.

Basic Shopify Markets Setup

1. Go to Settings, then Markets 2. Click Add market 3. Select a country or region (e.g., Slovakia or "Western Europe") 4. Set the currency and optionally the language 5. Activate the market

Tip: Start with one or two markets and gradually add more. Each market requires attention - localized content, correct prices, appropriate shipping.

Language Versions

For translations, you have several options:

Manual translation in Shopify admin. Go to Online Store, then Themes, then Actions, then Edit default theme content. Here you can translate system texts (buttons, forms, messages).

Translation apps. There are apps that help you manage translations of products, collections, and pages.

Export/import translations. Shopify allows you to export texts to CSV, translate externally, and import back.

For the Slovak market, minimal adjustments are often sufficient. For German or French, plan for professional translation.

Practical Checklist for Cross-Border Setup

Step by step, how to prepare your Shopify store for international sales.

Phase 1: Preparation (Before Launch)

• [ ] Define target markets. Start with 1-2 countries, do not aim for the entire EU right away.
• [ ] Research demand. Do you already have orders from abroad? What do analytics say - where are visitors coming from?
• [ ] Calculate costs. How much does shipping cost? What are the margins after factoring in international postage?
• [ ] Verify regulations. Some products have restrictions for international sales (food, cosmetics, electronics).

Phase 2: Shipping and Logistics

• [ ] Choose carriers for international shipments. DPD, GLS, Packeta - or a combination.
• [ ] Verify carrier contracts. Do you have active international services? Check terms and prices.
• [ ] Set up shipping zones in Shopify. Create zones for target countries with appropriate rates.
• [ ] Configure shipping app. ShipDock or another app must support the international services of your carriers.
• [ ] Test international shipment creation. Create a test order and verify that the label is generated correctly.

Phase 3: Localization

• [ ] Activate Shopify Markets for target countries.
• [ ] Set currencies. Euro for most of the EU, or local currencies as needed.
• [ ] Translate key texts. At minimum, checkout, confirmation emails, FAQ, and return policy.
• [ ] Localize product pages (if important for your market).
• [ ] Check legal texts. Terms and conditions must comply with EU legislation.

Phase 4: Payments and Finance

• [ ] Verify payment gateways. Does your gateway support payments in different currencies?
• [ ] Set up VAT. Shopify can automatically calculate VAT based on customer country.
• [ ] Consider OSS registration. One-Stop-Shop for VAT when exceeding the 10,000 EUR annual limit.

Phase 5: Customer Service

• [ ] Prepare FAQ for international customers. Delivery time, shipping prices, returns.
• [ ] Set return policy for international orders. Who pays for return shipping?
• [ ] Ensure support in the relevant language (at least email).

Phase 6: Launch and Optimization

• [ ] Launch a test campaign. PPC ads or social media targeting the new market.
• [ ] Track metrics. Conversion rate, acquisition costs, order value.
• [ ] Collect feedback. What do customers say? Where are the friction points?
• [ ] Optimize continuously. Adjust shipping prices, copy, product offering.

Common Mistakes in International Expansion

Starting too ambitiously. Do not try to sell to all 27 EU countries at once. Start with one or two, learn what works, and then expand.

Underestimating localization. English is not a universal solution. In Germany, France, or Spain, customers expect content in their local language.

Ignoring return costs. International returns are expensive. Factor this into prices or set clear rules (customer pays return shipping).

Poorly set shipping prices. Shipping that is too expensive discourages customers. Shipping that is too cheap costs you money. Calculate real costs.

Forgetting about VAT. When exceeding the 10,000 EUR annual sales limit to the EU, you must handle VAT registration or OSS.

Conclusion

International sales from the Czech Republic to the EU have never been easier. Shopify provides tools for multilingual and multi-currency stores. Carriers like DPD, GLS, and Packeta cover all of Europe with reasonable prices and reliable service.

The key to success is starting gradually. Slovakia is the natural first step - same carriers, similar language, no surprises. Once you have Slovakia running, add more countries based on demand and capacity.

Do not forget the importance of proper shipping setup. Shipping zones, appropriate rates, a reliable shipping app - all of this forms the foundation of successful cross-border e-commerce.

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