Practical guides on DDP vs DAP Incoterms, IOSS and OSS VAT schemes, HS code classification, EORI registration, and customs declaration requirements — written for Shopify merchants who ship cross-border to Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, and beyond. No legal jargon; just what you need to ship without a refused delivery or a surprise VAT bill.
When a parcel arrives at a German or Dutch customs office, the Incoterm printed on the label determines who pays the duty — and who loses the customer to a refused delivery.
EU OSS and IOSS share three letters but serve completely different transaction flows. Map each scheme to your store's product mix and order geography.
A wrong HS code on your commercial invoice can trigger a customs hold, a duty re-assessment, or a return. We walk through the 6-digit logic.
Without an EORI number, your carrier cannot file export declarations on your behalf — your shipments stall at the border. Here is the registration process.
Shoppers in Germany and the Netherlands are twice as likely to refuse a parcel if a surprise duty bill arrives. DDP checkout quotes duties at cart.
The EU OSS quarterly return covers every B2C sale to EU consumers in a single submission. Use this checklist to hit the deadline without scrambling.