eBay

mozartbach1971 · ‎03-02-2023

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

richard1rst · ‎03-02-2023

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?

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.

"Laissez-faire capitalism (AKA The Great Material Continuum) is the only social system based on the recognition of individual rights and, therefore, the only system that bans force from social relationships." ~ Ayn Rand

wastingtime101 · ‎03-02-2023

From 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.

GLORIOUS!

mozartbach1971 · ‎03-02-2023

I 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 · ‎03-02-2023

I'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.

GLORIOUS!

mozartbach1971 · ‎03-02-2023

Is 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?

mozartbach1971 · ‎03-02-2023

Yes, my Ebay account is linked through Stamps.com.

wastingtime101 · ‎03-02-2023

@mozartbach1971 wrote:
Is 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?

The 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.

GLORIOUS!

richard1rst · ‎03-02-2023

@mozartbach1971 wrote:
I 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.

I 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

"Laissez-faire capitalism (AKA The Great Material Continuum) is the only social system based on the recognition of individual rights and, therefore, the only system that bans force from social relationships." ~ Ayn Rand

monica-sells · ‎03-03-2023

Your 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)

martin2001 · ‎03-03-2023

IOSS 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....

mozartbach1971 · ‎03-06-2023

Right 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 · ‎03-06-2023

@mozartbach1971 it's not on any of the links u provided on your post?

mozartbach1971 · ‎03-06-2023

I clicked on them and just found general information. The chat person just said if it's not there, they recommend I just ship it out without the number.

mozartbach1971 · ‎03-09-2023

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.