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How to add your IOSS number

Louise Thomasson
  • Updated

Purpose: Learn how you can add your IOSS number to your account information to have it printed on your shipping documentation when you ship from the UK to the EU. 

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Related articles:

→ Shipping to the EU from the UK post Brexit

→ How to generate customs documents

What's changing from 1 July 2021?

The current VAT rules state that no import VAT must be paid for commercial goods with a value of no more than €22. From 1 July 2021, this rule will be abolished, and all goods imported into the EU will be subject to VAT regardless of value. 

From this date, the EU will introduce a set of new VAT rules on the sale of goods imported from outside of the EU. This new rule will impact UK ecommerce businesses that ship commercial goods to customers in the EU (B2C). Such businesses are now required to submit their IOSS number to shipping carriers when shipping goods with a value of less than €150 internationally, alongside their EORI and VAT numbers. 

 

What is an IOSS number?

The Import One-Stop Shop (IOSS) is the electronic portal businesses can use from 1 July 2021 to facilitate VAT e-commerce transactions when shipping internationally. The IOSS VAT identification number consists of 12 alphanumeric characters. By submitting this number, VAT will be collected at the VAT rate of the customer's member state at the point of sale.

The benefit to your customers is that they will only be charged at the time of purchase, and will not be met with any surprise import fees when the goods are delivered. If you, the seller, are not registered in the IOSS, the buyer will need to pay VAT alongside a customs clearance fee charged by the shipping carrier. 

You can read everything about the new rules and how to obtain an IOSS number here:

→ ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE IMPORT ONE-STOP SHOP (IOSS)  

Please note: An IOSS number is not a mandatory requirement of shipping to the EU, and is only relevant for shipments where the value (based on order and not individual item value) is less than €150. 

 

How can I make sure my IOSS number is on my documentation?

Suppose you've registered for the IOSS and have obtained an IOSS number. In that case, you can now add it to your account settings and it will automatically be included on your shipping documentation for international parcels. This is a similar process to how you can add your VAT and EORI numbers to your account for the same purpose. 

  1. Login to your Sendcloud account
  2. Navigate to Settings > Addresses
  3. Under Sender, click the pen icon to edit the sender address
  4. Scroll down until you see the IOSS number field 
  5. Enter your 12 digit IOSS number
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  6. Click the Save button when complete 

Related articles:

→ How do I add my VAT & EORI numbers?

→ How to process your orders