Shipping to the EU
For EU imports the product is usually the easy part: CE, RoHS and REACH documentation is what your compliance file needs, and the shipment is a customs and VAT question. Our default term is FOB Shenzhen, so you or your forwarder act as importer of record and handle VAT and clearance. We can quote DDP when the destination, EORI and VAT treatment are agreed in writing. We provide the commercial invoice, packing list, certificate of conformance and the compliance documents we hold.
What to settle before the order
- Importer of record and EORI — who clears the goods and owns the VAT and customs liability.
- VAT treatment — B2B with a VAT number, or B2C/IOSS; this changes the quote structure.
- CE/RoHS/REACH file — the documents your compliance team needs for the product and its packaging.
- Packaging EPR — registrations sit with the party placing the packaged goods on the market; we provide material data.
- Incoterm — FOB Shenzhen (default) or DDP; the term decides who pays each leg and who carries risk.
Compliance file for EU buyers
| Item | Why it matters | What we provide |
|---|---|---|
| CE marking | Product placed on the EU market | Certificate scan on request; batch CoC |
| RoHS | Restricted substances in electrical equipment | RoHS documentation on request |
| REACH | Substances of very high concern in articles | Material declarations where applicable |
| WEEE | E-waste responsibility for electrical equipment | Product data for your registration |
| Packaging EPR | Packaging placed on the market | Material and weight data for your filing |
| Commercial invoice | Customs value and origin | Issued with every shipment |
FOB or DDP?
FOB Shenzhen keeps you in control of freight and VAT treatment and is usually cheaper if you already import into the EU. DDP gives you one delivered price, but it only works when the importer of record, VAT and delivery address are explicit. The same product can be quoted either way; compare the total delivered cost for the same specification and quantity.
Read more: certificates and compliance, Incoterms and shipping, and why the importer of record decides VAT recovery.
Frequently asked questions
Do your products carry CE and RoHS documentation?
We list CE, RoHS, FCC and SGS in the certifications we hold, and we share the actual certificate scans on request. The certificate of conformance for your batch references the agreed specification; the compliance file is issued against that, not against a logo.
Who pays import VAT under DDP?
Under DDP the seller is responsible for the destination charges agreed in the quotation, which may include import VAT depending on the destination and the arrangement. The exact scope is written into the DDP offer. Under FOB, the importer of record handles VAT and can usually recover it according to local rules.
What is IOSS and do I need it?
IOSS is for consignments sold to consumers in the EU; B2B shipments to a business are normally cleared by the importer of record with a VAT number. If your order is a B2C drop-ship, tell us before quoting so the VAT and IOSS treatment is agreed, not assumed.
Do you handle packaging EPR registration?
Packaging extended producer responsibility registrations (for example the German LUCID system) sit with the party placing the packaged goods on the market. We can provide packaging material and weight data for your registration; we do not register on your behalf.
Can you ship to an EU fulfilment centre?
Yes, when the delivery address, appointment process and labelling requirements are agreed before production. Send the fulfilment centre instructions with the purchase order so carton labels, pallet configuration and the delivery window are built into the packing plan.