International delivery
Can we help you with international shipping?
eCourier are a highly experienced global logistics provider, with established routes, networks and expertise at our disposal. Whether you are already sending goods around the World, or want to access the global marketplace for the first time, we are ready to support you & your business.
We have the knowledge and established channels that ensure fast, reliable solutions and the support in navigating the required details for compliant shipping, wherever your shipment is destined for.
Our service options range from a solution for the large/bulky shipment requiring haulage, to the ultra-urgent, secure package that absolutely must make it ASAP…all fully trackable and with proof of delivery provided, every time.
The UK is now an independent country, and so the need for customs documentation is applicable to any shipment of goods leaving our border.
Book with ease online
or by calling and speaking
to one of our experts
Remote collections available
across the UK
Let’s start with the most
commonly required piece
of customs paperwork.
The Commercial Invoice
To ensure that your package makes it through customs and to your buyer / recipient, be accurate when filling out your commercial invoice. If you fail to provide all relevant information, your shipment will likely be delayed by customs authorities.
Here’s a detailed rundown of what you need to include:
- Sender’s name, address and contact details (phone number)
- The sender’s VAT / EORI number
- Receiver’s name, address and contact number (VAT/EORI if you have them)
- Date of invoice (the shipping date)
- Full description of each item of goods supplied and their individual commodity code(s)
- If your shipment contains multiple items and you require more space to declare them, you can list these on a separate sheet and attach to the invoice
- Country of origin (manufacture) of each of the goods being supplied
- Quantity of each item
- Value of each item in GBP
- Total value of all goods declared
- Weight
- Number of items
- Reason for export (for example, sale/repair/loan/gift)
- Intercoms (all explained below) – we’ll elect for DDP unless otherwise instructed here…
- If using paper copies, the invoice must be signed & dated with four copies included with the shipment
Download Commercial Invoice
Commodity Codes
You can search the full, definitive and official list of Commodity codes (AKA ‘HS’ or ‘Tariff’ numbers)
here: https://www.trade-tariff.service.gov.uk/find_commodity
Why certain information
is required for customs
Origin of goods
Incoterms confirm
Incoterms
eCourier use two Incoterms, here is what they mean
FAQs:
The overnight & international cut-off point is 16:30 (from central London), it has to be booked in to be collected by 16:30
If the collection is from an address outside of London (overnight service) bookings must be made before 15.30 on the previous working day (for some remote areas please allow one to two days for collection).
If you have any special requests, please check with our NDI team at international@ecourier.co.uk
An “Economic Operators Registration and Identification” Number is used by the EU to identify importers & exporters moving goods throughout the region. Typically it will be your VAT registration number with two added digits. It is free to register, simple to obtain but is of importance if you are moving goods to or from Europe.
You can register here https://www.gov.uk/eori
The EU VAT obligations changed on 1 July 2021, and IOSS was introduced. You have obligations as an online seller, including your VAT liability…here’s the steps you need to take.
As of 1 July 2021, the EU ended its low-value consignment relief threshold of €22, which means all products going into the EU will attract VAT for either the buyer or the seller.
IOSS = ‘Import One-Stop Shop’.
It’s a simplified reporting model which enables sellers to register in a single location for the sales you make to all EU consumers. It’s applicable where the total value of a sale of goods in a shipment is below €150. IOSS is designed to ensure fast, simple customs clearance.
As a seller, you are required to display the amount of VAT paid by the buyer in the EU, by the time the ordering process is finalised. You will need to produce an invoice stating the price paid by the buyer in EUR, this will need to be provided alongside your IOSS number. This allows the import VAT to be exempt when the goods pass through customs. You then report the VAT you collected at point of sale in your monthly IOSS returns.
VAT is due on all goods shipped into the EU but consignment values of above €150 would likely be subject to duties (on top of the VAT). The information on your commercial invoice will determine whether and duty is applicable.
No, IOSS is a simplified process that allows you to ship to all 27 EU member states through one singular registration. You can still continue to ship through the old DAP and DDP models, but using both methods is not possible for orders €150
What if goods are sold with a value of over more than €150?
IOSS does not cover the shipment of these goods so you will be required to use one of the previous models like DAP or DDP.
You can reclaim the VAT on returned goods in the new IOSS returns.
eCourier’s standard size and dimensional limits for international shipping are as follows:
Max length = 1.2m as standard (up to 3m available, POA)
Max weight (per piece) = 70KGs per Item (unless palletised).
Dimensions are volumed at a denominator of 5000 (L x W x H (in centimetres) divided by 5000)
Certain surcharges may be applied to international shipments, most commonly a Fuel Surcharge (related to the jet fuel) which is a dynamic charge that tracks the wholesale cost. If you are sending to a particularly remote location, an ODA (Outer Delivery Area) charge may be apparent – We can confirm at point of booking.
Additional insurance is available for any consignment you feel requires additional cover.
Need some urgent help? eCourier Escalation Contacts
Next Day and International Department: NDI@ecourier.co.uk