Shipping rate required, but I only sell digital products

I have a simple online store - no physical presence - that sells only digital products. Under ‘Shipping’, each product has ‘This is a physical product’ toggled OFF, and each is tagged/listed as an ebook. I have an app to deliver my products, which has been tested and works as it should.

I would like to activate an International market, but can’t because ‘this market can’t be activated because 13 countries/regions are missing shipping rates.’ Shipping rates? I only sell digital products!

I’m obviously missing something but can’t work out what! Can you help, please?

You can work around this inconvenient requirement by temporarily adding a shipping rate, activating your market, then removing the shipping rate.

Really good of you to come back to me with a response to my query. Many
thanks!