Selling Internationally, not necessarily on Amazon though
Hello guys, so, we were looking to start trading internationally on Amazon, but given the complexities involved from other threads, we’re not entirely sure about this.
Apart from that (Amazon that is), we do sell internationally on our own site, but not that much, however we recently had an item returned from Portugal, and on further investigation we realised we now need all manner of this and that, like an EORI number, IOSS number, etc.
We successfully registered for an EORI number, but on looking into the IOSS (which I presume is for customs fee’s, etc) it appears we need an “intermediate” service provider for this. If selling on Amazon, use their IOSS number, but using our own site the fee’s are quite astronomical, even the ‘pay as you go’ services, and far exceed what I consider customers would pay within the EU.
So, my main questions I guess are (based on my own site sales if anyone here has experience of such):
- I have an EORI number, but no idea where I would input this, even our OBA doesn’t appear to have anywhere to input this
- Do I actually need an IOSS number?. What is the consequence of not having such, i.e. customer gets hit with the import charge?
I have read up on the subjects, the EORI seems pretty straight forward enough, just don’t know where this would be displayed so not sure of it’s relevance to sending to EU but it’s mostly the IOSS issue which does appear to now cost a considerable sum to be involved in.
Appreciate any input
Thanks all
57 replies
Seller_ZjZ4slOF0jHpk
IOSS is either for sales from a marketplace (like Amazon) or you can register and get your own, for your own site and handle all the VAT yourselves (or more likely an intermediary unless you have your own accounts department/person). I haven’t done so - I just warn customers they may have duty/vat to pay on delivery, depending on location. It’s only me here and I have enough to contend with.
Or you can adjust your prices and send duty paid. Though I imagine the amounts are different from country to country, so how that would fit around your website/prices…
For me, as I’m not VAT registered, EORI is easy - I just put it in the VAT box of the CN22 form, if going to Europe. Don’t forget, you might need a N. Ireland one too.
I saw some new CN forms that now say, enter either Vat or EORI in this box, but I couldn’t advise on which would be better (hard to fit both). I imagine if EU, then use EORI.
Not much help, but just jumping in quick with what I do know.
Seller_ZjZ4slOF0jHpk
You’re now in a huge database of worldwide & UK/NI businesses. Think of it almost like a VAT number customs can look up in any country.
Seller_ZjZ4slOF0jHpk
https://www.postoffice.co.uk/mail/customs-forms/CN22-form-guide
I created my own template in Pages (iMac) and print my own on the 4x6 label printer. I’ve removed some pre-filled data. But far easier typing than writing in those tiny boxes. Template was based on one I saw online at the time, but you do see the odd variance in how they look depending on what RM page you’re on. For barcoded ones (untracked items), I just get the PO to hand over a pile occasionally.
Seller_ZjZ4slOF0jHpk
Got the original jpeg or pdf, if anyone wants it.
Seller_JVTfjuLs0moo6
Keep in mind that if it’s a B2B order, the receiving business must have an EORI number. Many do not have an EORI, and refuse to get one once delivery is attempted. This leads to returns which, depending how they’re sent out (if UPS for example) can cost an arm and a leg to get back.
Unfortunately this is a regular enough occurrence for it to be problematic. All you can really do is make it very apparent on your website that if this is a business order, they WILL need an EORI number to receive the goods, and then hope the customer reads.
Seller_87mKFKKA3Vwkx
Initially, I made the rookie error of filling out the CN22 form for EU orders by hand - most countries let the packages through, but Ireland rejected them all, and Spain rejected some…so fill this form in electronically!!
In my experience, non-EU countries will accept hand written CN22s
Seller_ZjZ4slOF0jHpk
I do have a C&D account and have used it. But 99% of my RM/PF purchases are done through my local PO (unless it’s IOSS). Helps keep it open. For the rest I use Parcel2Go.
For the barcoded CN22B ones (for untracked standard airmail), the only option for me is handwritten unless I purchase the postage online (I only do UK here, but worldwide elsewhere). And never had anything returned because of. None of them will be IOSS though - as I purchase the postage for those through the marketplace.
I use the standard CN22A (self-printed) ones when sending tracked (to non-EU) or the one created when purchasing online (usually an IOSS order).
Either way, there’s either a QR & barcode on the front (tracked), or the barcode on the CN22B - but data still handwritten, or QR & barcode for IOSS. As each CN22B barcode is different, if using the PO, then printing is not currently an option for them. I wish I could print those ones out. But at least the PO are happy to give me a pile. Got a pile of ParcelForce ones - hate them!
Seller_tRuvBEHDedp4q
Basically:
Sell on Amazon (or any similar marketplace) - they are responsible for collecting and remitting VAT/taxes and you use their IOSS number
Sell on your own website - then you have 3 options which I have listed in order depending on how many items you sell. Sell a few use option1. Sell mediocre then consider option 2. Sell a lot then use option 3. For each option, you will have to send using a different Service Code with Royal Mail if using Click and Drop.
- No IOSS registration - You send the parcel ‘Duties unpaid’ and the courier will collect any due taxes before delivery and remit. Often they will also charge customer an extra fee for doing so. Just make it a term in your websites T&Cs that they will get charged this extra on delivery.
- No IOSS registration - You send the parcel ‘Duties paid’ but have to work out the extra to add to your prices so you can pre-add to your prices at some place (depending on products you sell and website settings you can amend you could work on a standard percentage which you add on as a tax to the product or when calculating delivery charge). The courier will still remit the taxes and the customer wont have anything extra to pay on delivery.
- Register for IOSS and remit the VAT collected yourself
