Are IOSS numbers mandatory?
I recently received a message from Ebay about IOSS numbers. I included the message below. It looks like it says they are mandatory, this is the first time I've heard anything from Ebay about this, I've always shipped items without putting this number when shipping. I just sent a package to Europe around a couple days before I received this message. Could I be liable for the customs charges if the buyer opens a complaint?
Message: This is a reminder about the importance of providing eBay’s IOSS numbers for shipments into the EU in cases where eBay has collected VAT. We have identified that in at least one of your transactions eBay’s IOSS number was not provided correctly to your carrier, and your buyers may have had to pay VAT again on delivery.
eBay collects VAT from buyers on shipments into the EU with a consignment value up to EUR 150, when the goods are shipped from outside of the EU, and the transaction concludes on eBay. For these shipments you must electronically provide eBay’s IOSS number to your carrier. Please find below some tips as well as answers to the most common questions.
Where to find eBay’s IOSS number?
eBay’s IOSS number is always shared in your order details, in APIs as well as in the Orders Download Report. The number is the same for all transactions and should be used only for shipments through eBay.
How do I pass eBay’s IOSS number to my carrier?
When you provide the electronic customs declaration with your carrier there will be a field to enter the eBay IOSS number and declare as VAT collected. Please contact your carrier for more information.
What happens if it’s not provided at all/ not provided correctly?
Your buyers may have to pay VAT on delivery which may lead to buyer friction. Most buyers are opening claims in these cases.
Is it sufficient to print eBay’s IOSS number on the shipping labels?
NO - carriers will only pass the IOSS if it is submitted in the electronic customs declaration. If it is printed on the shipping label the carriers will not pass the data. If you’re using the eBay label platform, eBay’s IOSS number will be automatically shared with carriers. Please contact your carrier to understand what information they require.
What can I do if my carrier is still not ready?
We recommend you to use eBay’s GSP to ensure a seamless buyer experience whilst you and your carrier update the systems.
Important Links:
Learn where to find eBay’s IOSS number in APIs: https://developer.ebay.com/
Learn about EU VAT changes: https://www.ebay.com/help/selling/selling/vat-obligations-uk-eu?id=4650
Watch our Webinar: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a-LkOcA93pw
Sincerely yours,
Your eBay Team
ltldpr
·2 years agoWhat does IOSS stand for?
What does GSP stand for?
They're both in the message sent from eBay in the original post (OP). I checked the API link and that did not help. I don't even remember what API stands for but I know it has to do with programing and computers.
Hey, eBay, what ever happened to the rule from grade school that says you should always define all acronyms the first time they are used in a document?
coolvibez
·2 years agoThere's no such rule.
You are connected to the internet, so use google when you don't understand, like everyone else. No one can know what information another person lacks.
IOSS in short is EUs attempt at destroying the postal service for direct trade in order to herd buyers to local businesses instead of online.
You need to enter the IOSS number correctly with the carrier to avoid costly and time consuming returns. And it seems that even doing so also often leads to returns.
EU is blaming "adjustment to new rules" which is of course just what they wanted all along. Local importers welcome the disruptions, the carriers are able to tack on a fee that dwarfs the shipping costs.
Everyone is happy, except the sellers and buyers.
GSP is ebays Global Shipping Program and tries to simplify some of the more complex aspects of shipping goods. But it can only do so much.
ltldpr
·2 years agoActually, there is such a rule, and I was taught the rule in school.
I took your ever so polite suggestion, though; and find the last sentence a bit ironic too considering that you didn't know the rule.
"Introduce every acronym before using it in the text. The first time you use the term, put the acronym in parentheses after the full term. Thereafter, you can stick to using the acronym.
Note that when introducing an acronym, the full term should only be capitalized if it is a proper noun (e.g. the name of an organization)."
Found it here: https://www.scribbr.com/academic-writing/abbreviations-and-acronyms/#:~:text=The%20first%20time%20you%20use,the%20name%20of%20an%20organization)
coolvibez
·2 years agoThat's for academic papers that need to be complete and consistent over decades.
stephenmorgan
·2 years agoI think that went away to make room for defining all numbers with Core Math.
ltldpr
·2 years agoThank you!
stephenmorgan
·2 years agoImport One Stop Ship
https://www.avalara.com/blog/en/north-america/2021/06/what-us-sellers-need-to-know-about-eu-ioss-intermediaries.html
https://www.cbp.gov/trade/priority-issues/trade-agreements/special-trade-legislation/generalized-system-preferences
GSP is the largest and oldest U.S. trade preference program that provides nonreciprocal, duty-free treatment enabling many of the world’s developing countries to spur diversity and economic growth through trade. Economic development is promoted by eliminating duties on thousands of products when imported from designated beneficiary countries and territories. Authorized by the Trade Act of 1974 and implemented on January 1, 1976, GSP is a preferential trade legislation that is subject to Congressional re-authorization.
ltldpr
·2 years agoAnd thank you again!
stephenmorgan
·2 years agoI may have gave you the wrong definition of the acronym GPS because as someone else pointed out GPS may stand for eBay's Global Shipping Program. This is why it is important as you mentioned "you should always define all acronyms the first time they are used in a document", there could be more than one meaning.
ltldpr
·2 years agoExactly, and if it's just an acronym or abbreviation specific to eBay, using Google isn't going to be much help.
Thanks for not being rude about helping me too!
coolvibez
·2 years agoPlease note that the matter is not only about VAT.
The carrier will charge the receiver a flat fee of abour 8-20eur for the "service" of paying a couple of cents VAT.
Which on average comes to ~900% taxation.
(EU seems bent on destroying direct trade and competition on the marketplace.)
So just realise that in all cases you fail to enter the correct IOSS code, the parcel will be returned/destroyed.
Do this as carefully as you possibly can.
gumi99
·3 years agoBy the way, this is eBays IOSS number - it was printed on the VAT invoice eBay has sent me after my purchase:
IOSS number: IM2760000742
So this is what a seller needs to cut and paste when he completes the shipping label, to customers in the EU, when eBay has already collected the VAT.
gumi99
·3 years agoHear hear, @romain_rg . I'm a buyer from Belgium too, and have currently a similar situation. I bought two vintage magazines from a seller in the US, price $19.20, shipping $31.20, VAT collected by eBay $3.04 (which is correct). The package was sent with USPS, but unfortunately held at customs. It can only be delivered when I pay the standard fee of €17.5 for customs clearing, + VAT on the purchase price, the shipping cost AND the fee for declaration. Total cost: €25.16, around $27. So I agree with Romain, the IOSS number is vital for buyers in the EU.
And no, it is not possible to send proof (VAT invoice) anymore, and try to reason with customs. That's too late. They need to see it immediately when they scan the barcode. They have probably hundreds of cases like that each day. So if I want my magazines, I will have to pay the abominable $27, and try to get the initially collected, correct sum of $3.04 back from eBay. Not a fair balance, if you ask me, but that's a typical Belgian issue.
Just telling all this because it will never hurt to see an extra real example of what the damage can be if the IOSS number is not properly and electronically filled in.
I paid the fees, by the way. Not opening a case. Honest mistakes can be made.
FYI this is the answer one gets from the FAQ webpage of bpost.be, the Belgian post company:
"I have already paid VAT through the webshop. Now I have to pay again. How is that possible?
In exceptional cases, you may have to pay VAT and import costs a second time on your shipment. This is because the IOSS webshop on which you ordered or the local postal company of the sender did not (correctly) register this information.
An IOSS shop is required to forward its IOSS number digitally. Customs uses this number to read out the necessary information about your shipment automatically. If this number is not transmitted or valid, the bpost customs clearance service is obliged to charge the recipient for VAT and customs formalities. (It is not enough to note the IOSS number on the package or to communicate it afterwards.)
If you are charged import costs and VAT a second time, then:
martin2001
·3 years agoIOSS number is not mandatory but as others explained, it may cost the buyer extra money, and substantially delay the delivery. The 'cost' will include not only that actual VAT tax but also administrative fees that the postal service charges the buyer for the payment of VAT tax + Customs processing fee. For example, in Italy the postal service charges 15EUR admin fee + around 3EUR customs processing fee (This is addition to VAT). UK royal mail's admin fee is around 8GBP. Each country sets their own fees, Austria charges 'only' 6 EUR.
The buyer then must pay the VAT 2x. I doubt, that ebay will help much (we are talking about shipping outside ebay program). Usually, every country's customs site has a section, where the buyer can challenge the extra tax and most likely he will get it refunded. But is is a substantial pain in the....
monica-sells
·3 years agoYour mileage may differ, but IN ADDITION to adding the IOSS number to the external documents, I incorporate it into the "Rubber Stamp" section on Pirateship Forms
I was once told by an international buyer of mine to include a sales slip inside the envelope/package that itemizes the Import Tax Payment made by ebay. (That is the extra receipts you can print from the Awaiting Shipment Page, not the Packing Slip from the labels page)
wastingtime101
·3 years agoFrom where are you purchasing your shipping labels @mozartbach1971?
Labels purchased through eBay include IOSS data. Labels purchased through third parties linked to your eBay account through an API include IOSS data. If you used another method then yeah, you need to enter the IOSS number on the customs form.
I've never had an IOSS issue with international labels purchased through eBay, stamps.com or pirateship.com.
mozartbach1971
OP3 years agoI buy labels from Pirate and Stamps.com. I remember Stamps.com asking me for for this information, I never knew what this was, so since it allowed me to skip it, I skipped it. I don't think Pirate ever asked me for this information when I printed their labels.
wastingtime101
·3 years agoI'm assuming your account is linked through stamps.com and this wasn't a label you generated from scratch? It's been a while since I bought an international label from stamps.com since pirate's rates are better. If stamps asked for the info then it should have been filled out.
Pirate doesn't ask for the info, but there is a field to enter it. I usually skip it since I know it's sent through eBay's API. I do enter HTS codes for every shipment.
I've had to purchase the occasional international label through a platform not linked to my eBay account and for those I do enter IOSS.
mozartbach1971
OP3 years agoIs there a way you can send the number to the buyer if they say anything about having to pay the customs charges? What is the HTS code? Is that the harmonization number?
wastingtime101
·3 years agoThe buyer could pay the customs fees (again) then they would have to work with eBay CS to get a credit for the amount they initially paid. It's a huge PITA but it's do-able. Buyer has to upload a doc to CS showing they had to pay the fee again then eBay will refund them.
Yeah, HTS code is the harmonization number. "Harmonized Tariff Schedule"
If you know which label had an issue, you could contact stamps.com CS about it. The IOSS code is supposed to be sent through the API so if there's an issue they should be addressing it. Stamps.com CS front line reps will have to pass you to the next tier of support for you to get anywhere.
mozartbach1971
OP3 years agoRight now I'm having all kinds of trouble finding the number, I've been talking with Ebay on chat for a long time and they can't tell me where to find it. Can anyone show me where to find it?
stuff4divas
·3 years ago@mozartbach1971 it's not on any of the links u provided on your post?
mozartbach1971
OP3 years ago@wastingtime101
Did you say all the buyer needs to do is upload a photo of the fees they paid? The buyer from Europe I mentioned sent me a message and asked if there was a bill in the package I sent. I assume he is being charged the fees.
romain_rg
·3 years agoFor the record, I just got this issue from a buyer's perspective. I bought an item, was charged the VAT by eBay, and the seller didn't provide the IOSS number. And then I received a message from my local post office explaining that I have to pay the VAT for my item and extra clearance fees.
I can indeed contact eBay with the receipt of the extra VAT payment that I've done and they should refund the VAT they pre-charged me. BUT they won't reimburse the extra clearance fees, which as said above are quite high. In my case, I had to pay 17.50 EUR of extra fees (in addition to the VAT) for an item that is worth like 5 EUR. And nobody is going to refund me that money.
So please, as sellers, provide this IOSS number... Next time this happens, I will refuse the parcel because I'm not going to pay 17.50 EUR each time the seller forgets to provide the requested info.
wastingtime101
·3 years agoSorry I didn't see your inquiry @mozartbach1971. Use the @ symbol to tag someone. 🙂
As the above poster said, the buyer would need to provide a copy of their receipt to eBay for reimbursement if they had to pay those fees twice. CS will provide the buyer a link where they can upload the document/photo.
mozartbach1971
OP3 years agoYes, my Ebay account is linked through Stamps.com.
richard1rst
·3 years agoI use Pirateship for pretty much everything. Especially since they are significantly less expensive than eBay on international shipments. If the IOSS number is part and parcel of the eBay address (as it almost always is) then Pirateship populates it on the label which is why you are never asked. PS does it automatically.
ALWAYS INCLUDE IT
lepke1979
·3 years agoIt's under International Tax ID:
richard1rst
·3 years agoI've always shipped items without putting this number when shipping. I just sent a package to Europe around a couple days before I received this message. Could I be liable for the customs charges if the buyer opens a complaint?
The IOSS number is for the benefit of the buyer's tax collection agency. If you fail to include the number the tax dept will assume it has not been paid. It will be held until your buyer pays the tax which, in their mind, that they have already paid. It will delay the delivery thereby pushing it pasty the expected delivery date opening the door for an Item Not Received complaint, followed by a forced refund. Your buyer will have to pay it a second time in order to get the package.
The tax bureau will send YOU an email requesting payment because they do not have the buyers email address. So the buyer will never know that it is being delayed, nor WHY it is being delayed.
There are ways to get a refund of the second payment but why would you force you buyer to unnecessarily jump through government hoops? That virtually guarantees Negative Feedback. Why would you do that to yourself?
The alternative is the buyer refuses to pay and the package is sent back to you . You are here to actually SELL items tight? How can you consider it sold it it is returned.
Leaving it off is the very epitome of being Short Sighted. Give me ONE legitimate reason for leaving it off.