Checklist for EU imports
CCS inside · Blog
Determine Incoterms
Incoterms (International Commercial Terms) are a set of internationally recognised rules that define the rights and obligations of buyers and sellers in international trade transactions.
Incoterms define who bears the costs and risks associated with transport, insurance and customs clearance. Common Incoterms include EXW - Ex Works, FCA - Free Carrier, FOB - Free on Board, DAP - Delivered at Place, DDP - Delivered Duty Paid.
Variant A
Variant B
Clearance to a company based in the EU
If customs clearance is carried out for a company based in the European Union, the following steps are required:
Indicate the EORI number: The EORI number (Economic Operators' Registration and Identification number) is used to identify the parties involved in the customs procedure.
- Issue a customs authorisation to the customs broker: The appointed customs broker will need a customs licence to handle customs clearance for the importer.
- Determine the terms of sale: Depending on whether the importation is based on a sale or free delivery, an appropriate customs valuation method must be applied. If it is a sale, the commercial invoice is the basis for determining the customs value.
- Determine the tariff number: The customs tariff number, also known as the HS code (Harmonised Commodity Description and Coding System), is an international classification of goods used by customs authorities to determine the customs value of certain goods. This system provides a uniform and standardised classification of goods worldwide.
- Carry out import customs clearance according to the established tariff numbers and pay any import duties, taxes or other charges.
Clearance to a non-EU resident company (DDP)
If a non-EU company wishes to import goods into the EU under DDP conditions, the following steps are required::
First, the transaction is checked to see if the non-EU company needs to be registered for tax purposes in Germany.
- If tax registration is required, at least one application for registration of a German VAT ID and an EU EORI number must be submitted at the time of import.
- If you are not based in the European Union and wish to import goods into the EU under DDP conditions, you must appoint an indirect representative (e.g. CCS Express). This indirect agent will be responsible for customs clearance.
- In order to be able to carry out customs clearance, the customs agent requires a customs authorization from the importer.
- Determining the terms of sale: Depending on whether the importation is based on a sale or free delivery, a customs valuation method must be used. If it is a sale, the commercial invoice is the basis for determining the customs value.
- Determining the tariff number: The customs tariff number, also known as the HS code (Harmonised Commodity Description and Coding System), is an international classification of goods used by customs authorities to determine the customs value of certain goods. This system provides a uniform and standardised classification of goods worldwide.
- Carry out import customs clearance with indirect representation according to the established tariff numbers and pay any import duties, taxes or other charges.
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