Export to Portugal: a guide to the growing e-commerce market

Have you considered shipping to Portugal? The country’s e-commerce market jumped by almost a third in 2020 – and it’s still growing… With the right market insights, customs knowledge, and of course an international shipping partner, your business can cash in on this emerging opportunity. Read on for a comprehensive guide to help your business export to Portugal.   

MARKET OVERVIEW

Where does Portugal import from the most?

There’s good news for international sellers: over 60% of Portuguese consumers have made a purchase from another country⁶.

EXPORT TO PORTUGAL: CONSUMER TRENDS YOU SHOULD KNOW

Where do consumers in Portugal shop online?

Online marketplaces can be a helpful gateway for cross-border businesses wishing to sell to a new country for the first time.

Most visited online marketplaces in Portugal⁸

What are they buying?

How do Portuguese consumers like to pay for their online purchases?

After all, e-commerce shoppers are more likely to abandon their carts if they cannot pay using their preferred payment method.

Popular online payment methods in Portugal¹⁰

What are Portuguese consumers’ leading concerns and preferences when shopping online?

(Source: Statista Consumer Insights¹¹)

Leading shopping holidays in Portugal

Be sure to add these dates to your marketing and sales calendar so your business can prepare and cash in!

Father’s Day, March 19 & Mother’s Day, the first Sunday in May

People will be busy buying gifts for their parents, creating a big opportunity for e-commerce businesses to win some sales.

Valentine’s Day, February 14

The most romantic day of the year and a very lucrative time for chocolate, jewelry and flower businesses!

Amazon Prime Day, July

Selling on Amazon? Then this day is likely already marked out in your calendar. Prepare to roll out some big discounts!

Black Friday/Cyber Monday weekend, November  

Portugal joins many other countries in partaking in this global sales bonanza. Competition is fierce, so you’ll need to offer some big deals to entice Portuguese consumers through your online doors.

Christmas Day & New Years Eve, December

These dates are widely celebrated in Portugal. Expect to see a surge in e-commerce traffic throughout December – offering express delivery will help you win the last-minute shoppers, too!

SHIPPING TO PORTUGAL

Portugal customs regulations: required documentation

When shipping internationally, there are several pieces of documentation commonly required to clear your goods through customs smoothly, and help authorities determine what import taxes and duties are due:

• Commercial Invoice
  
• Bill of Lading
  
• Air Waybill
• Certificate of Origin
• Export and Import Licenses
  
• Export Packing List
  
• Insurance Certificate
  

This dedicated guide goes into detail on each document, including what information you’ll need to complete it.                                        

Prohibited and restricted commodities

Several commodities are not permitted for shipment by DHL under any circumstances, following full consideration by the operational, legal and risk management teams. They include animals, hazardous or combustible materials, and illegal narcotics. Further information can be found here.

Useful resources  

For in-depth information on Portugal trade agreements, check out: 

International Trade Administration – Portugal Commercial Country Guide: Portugal - Customs Regulations 

AICEP Portuguese Trade & Investment Agency: AICEP Portugal Global 

EU VAT rules & rates: VAT rules and rates: standard, special & reduced rates - Your Europe

Shipping costs

Unless exempt, all imported commercial goods are subject to customs duties and taxes based on their Harmonized System (HS) Code tariff classification. Generally speaking, it is the Importer of Record (i.e. either your business or your chosen logistics carrier) who will pay the import duties and taxes. 

You can find the correct HS code for your shipment easily via DHL’s MyGTS (My Global Trade Services) – a free, user-friendly platform that will help you navigate all aspects of international shipping. This includes calculation of Landed Cost for goods in any country – i.e. your product cost, duties & taxes, and freight charges – enabling you to enhance your pricing strategy and give your customers transparency over shipping fees.

DHL’s expert tips for shipping to Portugal

• Direct delivery to their home address is the most popular shipping method for Portuguese consumers. With DHL’s On Demand Delivery service, they can choose a date and time that suits them, with full tracking.
• Consider shipping your goods as Duties & Taxes Paid (DTP). Whilst the payment of duties and taxes on international shipments is typically the responsibility of the receiver – i.e., your customer – DHL does offer a DTP service to account holders. This means DHL will invoice the shipper (your business) to cover the costs. The benefit of this is the end customer will not receive an unexpected tax bill when their package arrives at customs – which may damage their opinion of your brand.
  
• Offering free returns can be an effective way to build trust amongst Portuguese consumers, by demonstrating your business’s belief in the quality of its products and commitment to customer satisfaction.
  

Portugal Export FAQs