Selling into the United States does not require opening a U.S. office, hiring local staff, or building a full domestic operation.

Many international businesses assume that entering the U.S. market means establishing a physical presence before any meaningful sales can occur. In practice, this is not the case.

In practice, international brands can sell to U.S. customers while remaining fully based overseas by using U.S.-based warehousing and fulfillment partners. These partners handle inventory storage, order fulfillment, shipping, and returns within the United States.

For companies exploring the U.S. market for the first time, this model provides a practical way to generate U.S. sales, meet customer delivery expectations, and reduce operational risk without committing to a full domestic setup.

Do you need a physical presence to sell in the U.S.?

A common assumption is that selling in the U.S. requires:

• Leasing warehouse or office space

• Hiring U.S.-based employees

• Managing shipping and returns internally

• Building a complete U.S. operation before any revenue exists

While some businesses eventually choose this path, it is not a requirement for entering the market.

For many international brands, especially those testing demand or expanding gradually, these responsibilities can be handled by a U.S.-based fulfillment partner instead.

How U.S. fulfillment works for international businesses

In practice, selling in the U.S. without a physical presence follows a simple operational flow:

1. Products are shipped in bulk from the home country to a U.S.-based warehouse

2. Inventory is stored locally in the United States

3. Orders placed by U.S. customers are fulfilled domestically

4. Products ship from the U.S. warehouse directly to customers

From the customer’s perspective, orders arrive quickly and reliably, with tracking and delivery standards that match U.S. expectations. From the business’s perspective, operations remain centralized offshore.

Why U.S.-based warehousing matters

U.S. customers expect fast delivery, clear tracking, and straightforward returns. Shipping individual orders internationally often introduces friction, including:

• Long delivery times

• Higher shipping costs per order

• Customs delays

• Complicated or expensive return processes

Storing inventory in the U.S. allows international businesses to reduce these issues without running their own facilities. Local fulfillment improves delivery speed and customer experience while keeping operations manageable.

What operations can be outsourced to a U.S. fulfillment partner

Working with a U.S.-based fulfillment provider allows international businesses to outsource day-to-day logistics, including:

• Inventory storage and stock management

• Order picking, packing, and shipping

• Returns processing within the U.S.

• Logistics coordination and operational reporting

This model allows internal teams to focus on sales, marketing, and product development rather than warehouse operations.

Scaling U.S. sales without scaling complexity

One of the key advantages of U.S. fulfillment is flexibility.

As order volumes increase, fulfillment operations can scale without the business needing to:

• Hire additional staff

• Commit to long-term warehouse leases

• Invest in new infrastructure

This makes it easier for international brands to test the U.S. market, adjust inventory levels, and grow at a sustainable pace.

Choosing the right U.S. fulfillment partner

Not all fulfillment providers are equally suited to the realities international businesses face when selling into the U.S.

When evaluating partners, companies should consider:

• Warehouse location and shipping reach

• Experience supporting overseas brands

• Communication and operational transparency

• Ability to support growth over time

The right partner should act as an extension of the business, not just a shipping provider.

A practical way to enter the U.S. market

Selling in the U.S. does not have to mean relocating or building a full domestic operation.

Many international brands entering the U.S. market work with a U.S.-based warehouse and fulfillment provider like Arlo Hub to handle the operational side of U.S. sales. Inventory is stored in Arlo Hub’s U.S. warehouse, orders are picked, packed, and shipped domestically, and returns are managed locally to meet U.S. customer expectations.

For companies that want a more supported entry into the market, Arlo Hub also offers an incubator program designed to help businesses begin fulfilling U.S. orders without taking on every operational step at once.

For support beyond fulfillment, Arlo Hub’s sister company, Arlo Performance, provides bookkeeping services as a separate offering, helping business owners spend less time on back-office tasks and more time focused on sales and expansion.