Shipping to Europe since Oct. 1 EAD (Plus Happy Thanksgiving!)

[msau4301]

Hello,

Woke up to a previously frequent buyer from Italy (who hasn't bought for a while since eBay stopped allowing Buyer to Contact for Costs feature) asking if I could ship there again.

I had stopped since there kept being more and more problems and didn't want the extra hassle. With no one asking I stopped investigating it any further.

I know I had received an email from Canada Post saying effective October 1st there were going to be changes to Shipping to Europe with a new Electronic Advanced Data being put in place to have items pre-reviewed before they arrive. From what I could see in the email from CP, along with all the buyer and seller info (which has always been there and not a problem), the HS Tariff Codes most be used (I can do this for dolls) but the thing that concerned me was they said the details on item had to be very specific. Example they gave is you can't just say "Shoes" you need to also include Brand/Material/Colour, etc. In my case I sell dolls (which is what I would have described) now they need all the extra specifics? Anyone shipped to Europe recently (October) and come across the extensive item details? I looked back a bit because I thought it was talked about here but couldn't find it. Thought I'd check before I start working on the dinner!

And if you are reading this today Happy Thanksgiving! Thankful for all you helpful folks out there!

[doc_scribe]

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@msau4301 wrote:

Anyone shipped to Europe recently (October) and come across the extensive item details? I looked back a bit because I thought it was talked about here but couldn't find it. Thought I'd check before I start working on the dinner!

And if you are reading this today Happy Thanksgiving! Thankful for all you helpful folks out there!

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I became aware of this issue while researching my response to the OP of  the HS code to ship 3 DVD's from U.S. to Italy?? thread.

Forgive my clumsy screen cap, but I saved it anyway because it at least broke out the sections, headings, and sub-headings of info desired/required for EU import going forward:

1. HS (Harmonized) Code (6 digits) - Required Worldwide
2. CN (Customs) Code (extended to 8 digits) - Optional for EU but Preferred
3. TARIC (Tariff) Code (extended to 10 digits) - EU Import Exclusively

A Little Thanksgiving Game here: "Fill-in the Missing Right-Hand Text"*:

Better yet, just search the European Commission website and / or TARIC. I'm already too Turkey-stupid to do so myself...

Good luck all!

[lotzofuniquegoodies]

 @msau4301 

@reallynicestamps 

The concern would be if eBay Labels is proactive and addresses this situation properly/timely before it does become a problem. There are already numerous known deficiencies with eBay Labels. Pretty sure we don't need any more.

One of the issues I pointed out ages ago (and still not fixed) was the requirement by foreign postal services (it's noted in their FAQ) similar to couriers that a valid email and now cell(preferred vs landline) to contact the receiver if there are issues. The email was built into shippo/cp. Totally skipped by eBay labels. This is a requirement (mandatory field) for courier shipments. If that info is not there, shipments could be returned at a sellers expense. This could be substantial for international shipments.

-Lotz

-Lotz

[reallynicestamps]

Keepin mind that the information (email/cell) does not need to actually be on the label. The seller can also handwrite the wanted information on the parcel.

I agree it shouldn't be necessary, but there we are.

Secondary problem, perhaps already solved by those mysterious demands that we update our contact information last month, what happens if eBay doesn't provide us with that information?

[lotzofuniquegoodies]

If that information is missing, it risks either delivery delays or a return to seller. Pointed this out when Tyler was around. Goes back that far. It included screenshots from Royal Mail and the Australian postal service as examples.

[reallynicestamps]

Canada Post tends to be very specific about what is needed.

The guy on the terminal floor less so.

But then your shipment might end up with the guy on the floor who missed his coffee break and takes his annoyance out on your shipment.

[msau4301]

True enough! I just wondered if the problem would come into play when trying to create the label itself but you are right, like everything else some will just let things slide, others not so much.

[doc_scribe]

Now that some blood has returned to my cranial region, the following screen cap better illustrates what the EU now considers "a valid HS Code, including complete TARIC":

Although this example was specifically for DVDs, apparently the 6, 8, or 10 digit hierarchy now applies to all goods entering the EU. In such a code dizzy environment, a human being might no longer get to actually read any text description on the package. And as others have already noted, a shipment could be held indefinitely awaiting agent review or simply rejected and returned automatically for non-compliance. 

[lotzofuniquegoodies]

Have to do some testing to see if ebay labels will except the other formats. As I recall eBay labels is ####.##. Shippo is with a dash.UPS is ######. Canada post, although haven't used for Intl shipping in ages will accept extra numbers.