how you do business in europe?

[Ecowritingtablet]

As I know most european countries are close to each, and they are not far away from eath other. So I bet when you resell products, you ship products across europe? Will the shipping fee very expensive? And do you need to pay extra import/export duty fee? I am just curious to learn more about this. thanks.

 

[Arjen]

Europe geographically is big and diverse. However, if you mean European Union (28 European countries at the moment) then things become far simpler.

One of the basic principles of the EU is the single market which refers to the EU as one territory without any internal borders or other regulatory obstacles to the free movement of goods and services. So, basically, there should not be any import/export duty fees.

You can read more on that on European Commission website.

If you (apart from EU countries) are interested in Norway, Lichtenstein, and Iceland too, then refer to the Agreement on European Economic Area (EEA) which expands the boundaries of the single European market.

By the way, despite not being a member of EU or EEA, Switzerland takes part in the majority of single market benefits, so I wouldn't expect any issues here too.

As for the shipping fee, I do not think that it will be too expensive.

 

[Ecowritingtablet]

thanks sir, that is quite informative. Most of Chinese companies just ship goods to clients directly, they don't know how they are selling the goods among EU. EU to you is simple, but to us, seems complicated also. Is amazon making the online business in EU a lot easier?

 

[Mr D]

As I know most european countries are close to each, and they are not far away from eath other. So I bet when you resell products, you ship products across europe? Will the shipping fee very expensive? And do you need to pay extra import/export duty fee? I am just curious to learn more about this. thanks.

Pretty sure Portugal and Sweden are a considerable distance from each other.
There are countries next to each other and countries several hours flying time apart.

Currently in the EU we don't pay duties to ship between EU countries. The UK is planning to leave the EU in a few years or sooner so this will change for us.

Not expensive to ship around Europe. Have sent stuff to Germany for a bit over £5 and had the item shipped back from Germany (over 600 miles, close it is not) for 6 euros.

 

[Mr D]

thanks sir, that is quite informative. Most of Chinese companies just ship goods to clients directly, they don't know how they are selling the goods among EU. EU to you is simple, but to us, seems complicated also. Is amazon making the online business in EU a lot easier?

If you aren't shipping with duty paid then its possible the customer gets a bill for import duty/VAT and admin fee. And can refuse to receive the item, thereby refusing to pay the bill.
Which means the seller gets to refund the buyer in full including postal costs charged.

Oh and amazon make no difference. People were able to sell in Europe without amazon for centuries. They can sell now without amazon. It brings nothing new to the table. Except its requirement for the seller to pay import taxes.

 

[Nochexman]

Don't forget you need a returns policy!

 

[Ecowritingtablet]

Don't forget you need a returns policy!

quite right.good reminder.

 

[Ecowritingtablet]

If you aren't shipping with duty paid then its possible the customer gets a bill for import duty/VAT and admin fee. And can refuse to receive the item, thereby refusing to pay the bill.
Which means the seller gets to refund the buyer in full including postal costs charged.

Oh and amazon make no difference. People were able to sell in Europe without amazon for centuries. They can sell now without amazon. It brings nothing new to the table. Except its requirement for the seller to pay import taxes.

good points,thanks. On line business will make actual shop a bit difficult. It affects a lot to China actual shop business. But in europe, it seems ok. on line business in USA is pretty good as well.

 

[RjMaan]

Well, it totally depends on your business idea and your supply chain management.

 

[Mr D]

good points,thanks. On line business will make actual shop a bit difficult. It affects a lot to China actual shop business. But in europe, it seems ok. on line business in USA is pretty good as well.

Sorry, why would online business make an actual shop difficult?
Not seeing the conflict there.

Plenty of UK shops have online sales too.

 

[jamesandjanie]

Well usually we ship to customers directly via local post, and we include the return policy but customer have to pay the postal cost to send back to me.

 

[Mr D]

Well usually we ship to customers directly via local post, and we include the return policy but customer have to pay the postal cost to send back to me.

And you refund them the return postage if needed?

 

[Ecowritingtablet]

Sorry, why would online business make an actual shop difficult?
Not seeing the conflict there.

Plenty of UK shops have online sales too.

oh, well in China. that is hugh difference. The actual shop are having a hard time now. You can even buy fruit, salt,beer etc from online shop right now. And their price are cheaper than actual shop. It makes the actual shop with poor business nowadays in China.

 

[Chris Ashdown]

Don't forget to read up on the EU consumer act and also VAT a European tax that is complicated for inter country sales in europe

 

[Mr D]

oh, well in China. that is hugh difference. The actual shop are having a hard time now. You can even buy fruit, salt,beer etc from online shop right now. And their price are cheaper than actual shop. It makes the actual shop with poor business nowadays in China.

Yes can do that in the UK too. Disadvantage is you don't get to pick.
I won't buy things with short use by dates such as meat or milk from online supermarket and I prefer to pick my own fruit and veg from the selection available. Let the staff pick and it won't be to the high standards I set nor the condition I want.

Even with Britain being a place with decent internet sales there still lots of money spent on physical shopping.
Some of the shops have embraced buy online collect in store. Best of both worlds for the customer.

 

[Alex - A2 Hosting]

There is regulations in place to make it a single market, almost as if shipping without borders. From a pricing perspective, it really depends on how far things need to go.

For example, shipping an item from the UK to France or Germany will be a lot cheaper than say shipping from the UK to Bulgaria (Eastern Europe).

That being said, there is companies in place with very good networks across Europe thanks to the single market so it does make things a lot easier for everyone.

 

[Mr D]

There is regulations in place to make it a single market, almost as if shipping without borders. From a pricing perspective, it really depends on how far things need to go.

For example, shipping an item from the UK to France or Germany will be a lot cheaper than say shipping from the UK to Bulgaria (Eastern Europe).

That being said, there is companies in place with very good networks across Europe thanks to the single market so it does make things a lot easier for everyone.

Which shipping method?
Last time I sent via royal mail, eastern Europe was same price as to Calais.

 

[jamesandjanie]

And you refund them the return postage if needed?

Umm...no, we stated the policy that we will not pay the postal cost to return in advance, the customer accepted it when they check out.

 

[Mr D]

Umm...no, we stated the policy that we will not pay the postal cost to return in advance, the customer accepted it when they check out.

Yes few companies refund postal costs in advance. Then refund postal costs on return of item.