Some advice

[Pacman33]

Hi there, basically an opportunity to supply a quite niche product to a customer based in Dubai and Australia has came up quite quickly.

The product I can buy here in the uk few different suppliers but I want to ship the items to the customers directly

I need some pointers on
• exporting outside the eu
• best shipping solution
• claiming input vat back

Any help would be much appreciated

[greygoose]

How big is the product, that will affect the choice of transport to ship it?

[Pacman33]

Product is small, roughly the size of a thumb drive be shipping 20-30000 of them per order

[dangerousB]

It's not at all complicated (caveat - product dependent, Oz especially is very strict on biosecurity for one thing) - you'll just need to know/find out your product's commodity code for your shipping paperwork and that's about it really.

In terms of shipping, how heavy/what volume would each consignment be and how quickly would your customer need the product? That'll determine your shipping options.

I take it you're VAT registered? Paying/claiming VAT would just be done on your quarterly VAT return - export outside the EU and you'll not be charging VAT.

If this is going to be a regular thing you may have to register for GST in OZ (not sure about Dubai), I think the threshold is AUD$75,000 per annum - I would need to check that though, it's just the figure that I have in my head!!

All the info's out there though - start with .gov.uk site and search for what you need to know . . .

[anonymous-user]

A customer you are already dealing with regularly? Or a completely new enquiry?

Either way, but especially in the latter case, think carefully about how sure you are that you are going to get the money and when - better to have it before you ship the products of course.

[Pacman33]

Thanks for the reply’s

It’s a customer I already deal with looking for a new product, I’ll have payment before shipping!


I’ll be sending out 4 shipments per month, I would say roughly 40-50kg per shipment so what would be the best shipping method as I assume I need proof of export for HMRC to zero rate and to claim the vat back

Thanks for your help so far much appreciated

[dangerousB]

Pacman33 said:

Thanks for the reply’s

It’s a customer I already deal with looking for a new product, I’ll have payment before shipping!


I’ll be sending out 4 shipments per month, I would say roughly 40-50kg per shipment so what would be the best shipping method as I assume I need proof of export for HMRC to zero rate and to claim the vat back

Thanks for your help so far much appreciated

Air freight is calculated on volumetric weight, so the physical dimensions of your consignment when packed and ready for shipping will have more potential bearing on cost (not its absolute weight, if that makes sense).

Have a look at one of the third party companies and get an instant quote - as mentioned, you'll need to know the dimensions of your consignment for it to be accurate though!

Take your pick:-

https://www.transglobalexpress.co.uk

https://www.parcel2go.com

https://www.parcelmonkey.co.uk

https://www.parcelhero.com

[Pacman33]

dangerousB said:

Pacman33 said:

Thanks for the reply’s

It’s a customer I already deal with looking for a new product, I’ll have payment before shipping!


I’ll be sending out 4 shipments per month, I would say roughly 40-50kg per shipment so what would be the best shipping method as I assume I need proof of export for HMRC to zero rate and to claim the vat back

Thanks for your help so far much appreciated

Air freight is calculated on volumetric weight, so the physical dimensions of your consignment when packed and ready for shipping will have more potential bearing on cost (not its absolute weight, if that makes sense).

Have a look at one of the third party companies and get an instant quote - as mentioned, you'll need to know the dimensions of your consignment for it to be accurate though!

Take your pick:-

https://www.transglobalexpress.co.uk

https://www.parcel2go.com

https://www.parcelmonkey.co.uk

https://www.parcelhero.com

Thanks, I assume any of the companies mentioned would provide me with proof of export for zero rating vat purposes ?

[dangerousB]

Pacman33 said:

Thanks, I assume any of the companies mentioned would provide me with proof of export for zero rating vat purposes ?

Yup, it'll all be on your waybill - they'll ask you for your EORI number, which if you're VAT registered is simply your VAT number prefixed with IE. If you don't have an EORI number, just apply for one (do a search on .gov.uk for EORI application).