Selling internationally just got a lot less complicated. Here’s what you need to know about cross-border tax and tariffs.
What You’ll Learn:
-
- What a Harmonized System (HS) code is and why it matters: Think of it as the “passport” for your physical goods. We’ll explain how this six-digit code determines whether your product can enter a country and what tariff rate it will be charged.
- What happens when HS codes are missing or wrong: Real-world consequences including shipment delays, surprise duties billed to your customers, and the customer experience damage that follows.
- How to provide accurate landed costs at checkout: Why showing the full cost upfront (duties + taxes) is critical for customer satisfaction and repeat business.
- How to keep up with constantly changing tariff and tax rates: Learn how tools like Avalara’s Avatax serve as a global source of truth for automated calculations across every country you ship to.
- How cross-border compliance integrates with your sales channels: Specifically how Avalara connects with platforms like Shopify, Magento, and BigCommerce to simplify your global operations.
- How LedgerGurus and Avalara work together: Understand which pieces of the compliance puzzle each partner covers, from US tax filings to international tariff research and beyond.
What Every Global Seller Needs to Know
Harmonized Codes Explained
Learn what HS codes are and why getting them wrong leads to delays and unexpected charges.
Tariff & Tax Compliance
Discover how automation keeps you compliant as global tariff and tax rates constantly change.
Seamless Checkout Experience
Find out how to show accurate landed costs at checkout so customers aren’t hit with surprise fees.
Your instructors:
Valerie Rose
Valerie Rose is a Service Delivery Manager at LedgerGurus, where she leads the sales tax department and oversees compliance strategy for a diverse portfolio of eCommerce clients. She is an experienced leader in sales tax operations.
She specializes in helping businesses navigate complex, multi-state sales tax compliance with clarity and confidence. She works closely with internal teams and external partners, including Avalara, to ensure accurate reporting, reduce risk, and build scalable processes.
She is known for her practical, client-focused approach and her ability to translate complex tax rules into clear, actionable strategies.
Brian Kelly
Brian Kelly is a Global Solution Sales Specialist at Avalara with more than 15 years of experience in cross-border trade, international shipping, and global commerce. Throughout his career, he has helped businesses understand and navigate the complexities of selling and moving goods across international markets, with a particular focus on the operational and regulatory challenges that impact global trade.
During his more than five years at Avalara, Brian has worked with businesses expanding internationally, helping them develop strategies to address evolving trade requirements and market dynamics. Prior to Avalara, he spent several years with FedEx CrossBorder, a subsidiary of FedEx Trade Networks, where he advised merchants on international e-commerce and shipping solutions that enabled them to reach customers worldwide while simplifying the complexities of cross-border fulfillment.
Drawing on deep experience in global logistics, international trade, and cross-border commerce, Brian provides practical insights into the impact of tariffs, trade policy changes, and global shipping considerations on business operations and growth. His expertise helps organizations make informed decisions as they navigate an increasingly complex international trade landscape.