Advice on international shipping

Good evening to all users and, I’d say for some time now, fellow forum members too. Since I’m well versed in international shipping, I wanted to ask for opinions from those of you who are experts or have read more than I have and can give me more information.

I’d be interested in a possible purchase from a user who lives in Rotterdam (Netherlands); the user has selected "Other shipping (Standard shipping from abroad)" as the shipping option and a cost of almost 40 euros, but that makes sense since there are almost 20 items in the listing. Although I still need to ask for details about the items and in any case I think I’ll suggest to the seller, if they are willing, to split the items into several lots in different listings so I wouldn’t have to buy everything at once; the amount and the risk would be high in a single shipment.

As far as you know, have there been any problems with shipments from the Netherlands? Once the border is crossed, who usually takes over handling the shipments on Italian territory?

The seller has been active for less than 2 years and has only 9 positive feedbacks as a seller. As for VAT, I have my doubts that they are informed and organized; I wouldn’t want to have to pay on delivery, after reading this post....

https://community.ebay.it/t5/Annunci-di-eBay/Importanti-modifiche-alla-normativa-IVA-in-Europa/ba-p/919662

I look forward to your replies and advice, in the meantime have a good evening!

at point 4 it says: Share the IOSS number for imports: in cases where you sell in the EU and eBay is required to collect VAT on your sales, always declare electronically the Import One-Stop Shop (IOSS) number provided by eBay. Otherwise, your buyers may have to pay VAT upon delivery.

actar80

337 View listings

Posted 3 years ago·Last reply 3 years ago

4 comments

marioelegio

·3 years ago

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For shipping, the Italian corresponding one depends on which courier picks up the shipment there.

For VAT, it depends on the seller. If they declare the VAT correctly, you don't pay anything.

In any case, even if the seller were to exceed the threshold value (for which they should apply Italian VAT instead of Dutch VAT), it wouldn't make much difference for you. Dutch VAT is 21% and Italian VAT is 22%, so the difference would be negligible.

mario

actar80

OP3 years ago

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Hi Mario, first of all thanks for your reply.
The seller is registered as a professional but since 2021 has fewer than 50 feedback and only 9 received as a seller. Under his VAT number he writes "I provide invoices with VAT shown separately"
Do you mean the €10,000 threshold? I had read some posts about international shipping but I don’t quite remember how it works, since I’ve never been involved in it.
If the threshold is €10,000, I assume he’s already exceeded it; with just 2 sales he has gone over the sum of $8,000. Since it’s one EU country, would you only pay the VAT difference between the 2 countries? Have I understood correctly or am I wrong?

actar80

OP3 years ago

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I'm looking forward to your comments and advice, in the meantime have a good evening!

morgana10

·3 years ago

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@actar80 wrote:
I'm waiting for your input and advice, in the meantime have a good evening!

Good morning,

I don't have much experience with sales abroad either and I don't feel I can say anything about it, I agree with Mario's reply, which I find exhaustive.

Best regards and have a good day everyone 🙂