Do I need VAT registration to sell into the UK/EU?

Low-value consignments are usually covered by IOSS-style collection through the carrier; above the thresholds, VAT registration or DDP shipping is typically required.

How long is transit to Europe?

Dedicated rail/sea-air lines commonly run 8–14 days door-to-door; express air is around 3–6 days at a higher rate.

Will my customers pay import duty on delivery?

Not if you ship DDP with duties prepaid — one reason we recommend DDP for storefront orders into the UK and EU.

How to Ship from China to the UK & EU (Incl. IOSS)

What Shopify sellers need to know about shipping from China to the UK and EU after Brexit and VAT reform: routes, IOSS for the EU, and keeping customs clean.

Shipping to the UK and EU looks similar on a map but behaves very differently in customs. The single biggest change sellers miss is that VAT is now the seller’s problem at checkout — not something the customer quietly pays on delivery.

The VAT shift

For the EU, VAT is generally due at the point of sale for ecommerce imports. That means your store, not the courier, is responsible for collecting it. Get this wrong and the parcel sits in customs while the customer wonders why they’re being double-charged.

IOSS for the EU

IOSS (Import One-Stop Shop) lets you collect EU VAT at checkout and report it through a single registration, so low-value consignments clear without the customer paying again on delivery. It reduces friction and “why was I charged twice” tickets.

Use it where it applies to your order values.
Make sure your fulfillment partner and store are configured to attach the IOSS number to the shipment.
Confirm current thresholds with your tax adviser — rules change and this is not legal advice.

The UK separately

Post-Brexit, the UK has its own VAT and import structure. Don’t assume an EU setup covers it. Declare correctly, collect VAT where required at sale, and keep records clean.

Keeping customs clean

Most delays aren’t malice — they’re bad data. Accurate HS codes, correct declared value, complete recipient details and consistent product descriptions prevent the majority of holds. Garbage in the customs form is garbage at the border.

Route choices

The same three families apply as elsewhere — postal, dedicated lines and commercial express — each trading cost against speed and tracking quality. For the UK and EU, dedicated lines with proper VAT handling tend to be the sweet spot for typical DTC parcels.

The takeaway

UK and EU shipping lives or dies on VAT and declaration accuracy, not on which courier you pick. Get IOSS and clean data in place first; choose the route second.