European Union VAT, shipping label requirements

Modified on Tue, 19 Sep 2023 at 12:21 PM

We want to make sure your book-selling experience on BIBLIO goes smoothly, especially when it comes to European Union (EU) Value Added Tax (VAT). Don't worry if this sounds a bit complicated; we'll break it down for you in a friendly and straightforward way.


VAT and Your Orders:


In the EU, there's a thing called VAT, and it's like a tax. When someone buys a book from you and checks out, they might need to pay this VAT. To avoid customers being charged twice, it's crucial to fill out the customs forms correctly and include BIBLIO's special IOSS number on those forms.


What's IOSS, anyway?


IOSS stands for Import One-Stop Shop, and it's like a special code that helps sort out VAT matters. You'll find BIBLIO's IOSS number below, and it's super important for orders with book prices under EUR 150 going to an EU country.



BIBLIO Number:


BIBLIO IOSS/VAT Reg # IM5283091871



Important Note: If an order costs more than EUR 150, you don't need to worry about VAT, and our IOSS number should NOT be on the label.


Using Our Shipping Labels:


We recommend using our shipping labels because they already have this important info on them. But if you don't use our labels, no problem. Just make sure to include this IOSS number on any package valued at EUR 150 or less that's going to the EU.


What happens if things go wrong?


Now, if a customer has to pay extra VAT because the customs forms weren't filled out correctly, or you didn't provide the right info, we'll help them out. We'll cover the extra cost to release their order from customs, and then we'll ask you to reimburse us for that amount.


Where to put the IOSS # on Customs Forms from the US:


If you're sending books to an EU country from the United States, here's the trick: Put the IOSS VAT Identification Number in the "Importers Reference" fields on the customs forms. This rule doesn't apply if you're using consolidated shipping or sending via DHL.


Get More Details:

If you want to dive deeper into this topic, you can find more info at this link: USPS Import One-Stop Shop (IOSS) FAQ.


We hope this explanation makes dealing with VAT a lot less daunting. If you have any questions or need further assistance, don't hesitate to reach out to bookseller-support@biblio.com. We're here to help!