In this guide
- How does Mercado Libre international shipping work?
- Who repacks the product and sticks on the Mercado Libre label?
- Why do you have to repack the product?
- Where do you drop off packages in the United States?
- How long do you have to ship an order?
- How much can a package weigh and measure?
- Frequently asked questions
International shipping on Mercado Libre works like this: you buy the product on Amazon with a delivery address in the United States, Amazon ships it there, your team or a fulfillment warehouse repacks it and sticks on the Mercado Libre label, and it hands the package to Chilexpress, the carrier that takes it to your customer. If your company has an office or warehouse in the United States, your team does the repacking (or you do, if you work from home). If you operate from another country, a fulfillment warehouse does it.
How does Mercado Libre international shipping work?
We covered it in one minute (the video is in Spanish):
- Your customer buys on Mercado Libre, for example in Chile or Mexico.
- You buy the product on Amazon, with a delivery address in the United States. Amazon ships it there.
- Your team or your fulfillment warehouse repacks the product in a new box and sticks on the Mercado Libre label.
- Chilexpress picks up the package at a drop-off point and takes it to your customer.
Who repacks the product and sticks on the Mercado Libre label?
Your team, if your company has an office or warehouse in the United States
When you buy on Amazon, you enter your office or warehouse as the delivery address (or your home address, if you are starting out). When the package arrives, your team takes out the product, repacks it in a box that fits it, prints the Mercado Libre label, sticks it on and takes the package to the drop-off point.
- In favor: you don't pay a third party, and you control every package.
- Keep in mind: it takes your team's time every day and grows with volume. You also have to ship within the deadline Mercado Libre gives you.
A fulfillment warehouse, if your company operates from another country
You hire a fulfillment service in the United States (many are in Miami) and enter the warehouse address as the delivery address on Amazon. The warehouse receives the package, repacks the product, sticks on the Mercado Libre label and hands the package to Chilexpress for you.
- In favor: your company operates from any country, and your volume doesn't depend on having staff in the United States.
- Keep in mind: the warehouse charges for each package. In the CBT Labs platform, you enter that cost under "Logistics per item" and the system adds it to the price, so your profit doesn't drop.
We are testing a fulfillment warehouse. When we have the result, we will tell you whether we recommend it and, if not, what other options exist.
Why do you have to repack the product?
- To pay less shipping: the Amazon box is usually bigger than the product, and the carrier also charges by size. A snug box costs less.
- So your customer doesn't see the invoice: the Amazon box may contain the invoice with what you paid.
- So Mercado Libre can track the package: it tracks the package only if it carries its own label.
Where do you drop off packages in the United States?
At the Chilexpress drop-off points: Miami, New York and Los Angeles, Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. You find the addresses in the Global Selling help center.
If you work with a fulfillment warehouse, it drops off the packages for you.
How long do you have to ship an order?
Normally you have 72 business hours from the sale. Mercado Libre shows you the exact deadline on each sale. If you go past it, Mercado Libre counts the sale as shipped late.
How much can a package weigh and measure?
According to the Global Selling help center, Chilexpress accepts packages up to 30 kg and up to 100 × 105 × 105 cm. It charges shipping by billable weight: the greater of the actual weight and the volumetric weight, which it calculates from the box dimensions.
Don't have your account yet? See the requirements to sell on Mercado Libre International.
Frequently asked questions
How does international shipping work on Mercado Libre?
You buy the product on Amazon with a delivery address in the United States. Amazon ships it there, your team or a fulfillment warehouse repacks it and sticks on the Mercado Libre label, and Chilexpress takes it to your customer.
Does my company need staff in the United States to sell on Mercado Libre International?
No. If your company operates from another country, you hire a fulfillment warehouse in the United States that receives your Amazon purchases, repacks them and hands them to Chilexpress for you. If you have an office or warehouse there, your team can do it.
Can Amazon ship the product directly to my customer?
No. The package has to leave with the Mercado Libre label so Mercado Libre can track it. That is why Amazon ships first to an address in the United States, where your team or a warehouse repacks it and sticks on that label.
How long do I have to ship a sale?
Normally 72 business hours. Mercado Libre shows you the exact deadline on each sale.
How much can a Global Selling package weigh and measure?
Chilexpress accepts packages up to 30 kg and up to 100 × 105 × 105 cm, according to the Global Selling help center.
