Export to Holland

[Jerrytrade]

Hello to everyone.

I am currently running an e-commerce business, an online shop, however, recently I came across a small producer, a brewery, which makes very interesting beers.
Visiting Netherlands last week, I picked up a few samples and spoke to a few bars, many ware interested in stocking UK ales. So simply saying, its a great little earner, I have people willing to buy, load a van and drive to Holland.
Unfortunately , I have no experience in export or import, only general knowledge, so if anyone can help me to clarify a few things.

1st - as the product is produced in the UK for export, no VAT is payable, however, in Netherlands, should I just leave it to the bars to pay VAT? or arrange it myself.
2nd - Duty on alcohol. How is it payed? Do I contact NL government organizations? or do I just drive of the ferry (in EUROPORT), fill out a form in customs, pay a fee, get the paperwork and go on my way?
3rd, - Eurozone, as I understand, has special arrangements which simplify export/import between countries, and create similar guidelines for product safety and manufacture. So if a product is safe to sell in UK, it will be ok for Holland? ( I mean no other paperwork is needed?)
4th - Maybe anyone can recommend a company dealing with exports? or agents who can help.

Any other comments (on things I have not thought about) will be appreciated.

Thank you for your time.

 

[GraemeL]

Suggest you study the loads of information on the HMRC website.

Here is a good starter:-
http://customs.hmrc.gov.uk/channels...ntent&propertyType=document&id=HMCE_CL_000232

Your biggest issue will be excise duty, so you will need to become an expert at it.

Good luck

G

 

[CH Freight Services Ltd]

Hello,

The excise duty will be the difficult part. Because the excise is different in each EU country the excise duty needs to be secured whilst the cargo travels from the UK to Holland. This must be in the form of a "Excise Movement Guarantee" which only a limited number of forwarders have because of the large financial security deposit that their bank must guarantee to HMRC.

Also the buyers in Holland will need an agent to account for the excise duty when it arrives there. This again requires a particular authority from their local customs so again I would imagine that (as with the UK & for the same reasons) not many agents in Holland will be set up to do this.

There is a mechanism that the local excise charges can be prepaid in the UK so this would negate the need for a financial guarantee to cover the goods while they move but this then means that shipping is a little more complicated as you need a longer lead time to set up the prepayment.

If you look at the HMRC website & search the "customs notices" they will have loads of information that will help you. I think the notice you will most likely need is "Notice 197".

I hope this helps, and good luck.

Dan Jackaman

 

[Jennie Rich]

Hi JerryTrade,

UK Trade & Investment help UK companies do business overseas. There is a Guide to doing Business in the Netherlands on their website. Its free to download
http://www.ukti.gov.uk/pt_pt/export...erneurope/netherlands/doingbusiness.html?null

Once you scroll past the population and economy content, you will find loads of advice on VAT, customs and getting your beer into Holland.

There is also a Food & Drink Sector report for the Netherlands on Open to Export. It has details for a couple of trade shows you might consider in the future and the contact details for the UKTI Food and Drink Commercial Officer in The Hague who can answer your questions.

http://opentoexport.com/article/food-and-drink-sector-in-the-netherlands-1/

Hope that this helps.

Regards,

Jennie