Worth Selling in EU?

Denbyas

Hi,

Im wondering if anyone can help me try and understand requirements to sell low value prints within EU please as im getting a little confused with the rules and requirements.

I have always sold within the UK, I am a normal sole trader, not rolling in the money but doing fine IMO.

now that my business is running well and I am comfortable how its going, I was wanting to see how to start selling in EU/US.

The reason this has peaked my interest is because on my Shopify website - I see a lot of overseas traffic despite not selling to these areas.

However, looking into this, im a bit confused.  Ive been browsing websites and the EU trading site and I just cant seem to get my head around the requirements.

It constantly states as a VAT registered sole trader, you must ensure you report your sale movements- but as far as im aware, im just a standard sole trader and im not sure if this applies to me or if there is other rules for sellers like myself.

I am just selling prints I design of my own original artwork.  they arent high value and was just wondering if there might be any overseas sellers selling similar items or craft products as a basic sole trader which might  be able to advise how selling overseas is going and if there might be any advise on how to start selling or if its too difficult.

sorry for my utter lack of experience in this area - Ive only been running for a year and been so tunnel visioned in selling within UK that I never thought to understand overseas requirements until now.

Mistral001

I have only sold my services abroad,  I have never actually exported items.  It sounds a bit complicated.  Here is the government website.
Export goods from the UK: step by step - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Generally speaking it is the buyer who will be responsible for any import duties.  They are the ones who are being taxed and the tax goes to the customs authority in their country, but you should advise the buyer that they are likely to be charged duty for importing the item before shipping it.  Ebay and other actual trading sites might give you some more information on this.    

martindow

I have stopped selling to the EU.  There is now a requirement to set up a VAT account in a EU country and add that VAT charge to your sales if they are under 150 Euros in value.  If I understand it you also need to have an agent with an address there.  Just one country would be sufficient and you don't need to set up 27 accounts  I've decided it is not worthwhile.

An alternative is to sell via Ebay or another selling platform (Etsy maybe in your case) as they have to deal with this and the buyer is presented with a total including the relevant charges.