Importing from Germany?

[cautiouscapy]

Hi

I'd like to buy a few items with cash from a German manufacturer/wholesaler and test sell in the UK (online to a specific hobby niche - I'm a member of several forums related to this hobby and know there's a small market).

I would love some general advice on importing from Germany (or EU generally) if someone has the time please.

I don't expect to get rich from this; it's a valuable learning experience in online retail as much as anything, that will hopefully not lose me the few hundred € I'd invest.

I'm not finding that my online searches for information are helping me much so far, though I may be using the wrong search terms.

Does anyone please have:

a) experience of and general tips on dealing with German companies (e.g. cheapest bank transfer method? Cultural differences?). I have found myself a translator as my German is pants.

b) We're all part of the EU, so I anticipate few legal requirements and restrictions. What DO I need to know about the legal aspects of getting a shipment from Germany to the UK?

Thank you for any help.

CC

 

[Wavecrest Ltd]

Hello CC,

Importing from Germany should be fairly straightforward.

If you are not UK VAT registered, your supplier in Germany will have to add local VAT to their invoice.

If you are UK VAT registered, they can show your VAT number on their invoice and would not have to add VAT.

I have worked in Germany myself and would say that they are usually quite efficient. As soon as you have paid for the goods they will want you to pick them up.

With regards to payment, you should be able to make a payment from your bank direct into their account. This should cost you around £ 20-£25 if you bank with someone like Barclays, Lloyds, Nat West etc.

With regards to transport, we provide road delivery services from Germany to the UK and would be please to give you a quote if you have several boxes to go at the same time (say 100 kilos plus). If you are buying very small quantities (say less than 100 kilos), it would probably be best to get your supplier to arrange to send the goods to you by courier.

If you have any questions, please feel free to send me a PM

Best regards,
Glen

 

[cautiouscapy]

Thank you Glen

That's really helpful; I will contact you if I get to the point of purchasing some items and need them collected.

My impression of the first company I am talking to is that they want as little as possible to do with organising logistics outside German-speaking Europe so it's good to have a contact.

CC