Shipments to within the EU
When you ship from Kixto to an address inside the EU customs union, you are responsible for accounting for the transaction correctly but there are no customs borders to navigate and no customs documentation is required to go with the shipment.
Shipments to outside the EU
Shipments from Kixto to addresses outside the EU customs union must be accompanied by accurate customs documentation; errors or corrections can cause delays, additional fees for you to pay, or even make a shipment undeliverable.
Kixto is a fulfilment service and our role limited to packing and shipping according to your instructions. You are responsible for providing us with the information required for the shipment, such as a customs invoice.
The information here is general in nature and does not consider the specific terms of your shipment or its destination. If you need additional advice, please consult an accountant or the receiver’s customs broker.
Freight shipment checklist
Check all of the following, further detail below.
- A customs broker is ready to clear the import through customs.
- Invoice shows your details as exporter.
- Invoice shows your EORI number.
- Invoice shows the importer of record and any required ID numbers.
- Invoice shows terms of trade are DAP.
- Invoice includes date, your reference and shipping method.
- Invoice details description, commodity code, origin, quantity, unit value and total value of each product being shipped.
- Invoice shows insured value.
- Invoice shows subtotal of goods.
- Invoice shows cost of shipping and insurance.
- Invoice has grand total.
- Documentation forwarded to Kixto.
Further detail
1. Import customs broker
For shipments by sea, the importer of record must employ a customs broker to process their import through customs. Before shipment, check with the broker that they can process the import under “DAP” terms of trade and for any additional information required on the customs documentation.
For shipments by air through services such as DHL, UPS and Fedex, the carrier’s brokerage service will be able to handle the import simply and for a fixed fee (normally around $20) but don’t expect bespoke advice.
2. Your details as exporter, e.g:
Sender Your business name* Care of Kixto Ltd Westward Business Centre Mill Street Crediton EX17 1HB UK
3. Your EU Economic Operator Registration and Identification (EORI) number
For example, below your address:
Sender’s EORI GB123456789000*
Your EORI number is normally issued with your VAT registration and is normally your VAT number with three zeros added to the end. You can check your EORI here or, if necessary, get an EORI number online.
4. The importer of record
This is the person / business who is legally responsible for importing the goods into the destination country and paying the import taxes, duties and customs fees. Include their address and contact details. To some destinations, the importer’s tax or operator ID may be required — check with the importer or their broker.
Importer of record Importer's business name* Importer's address* Importer's contact details* Importer's business / tax ID, where applicable*
5. Terms of trade
These identify who is responsible for each stage of the shipment process. If using a shipping service arranged by Kixto, we only send using Delivered at Place (DAP) terms with the receiver responsible for import customs clearance and payment of import taxes and duties.
If you require Delivered Duty Paid (DDP), where the sender is responsible for all charges, you will need to arrange carriage yourself. We can suggest carriers to contact and make the goods available for collection.
Terms of trade: DAP, receiver pays import customs, tax and duty charges
6. Invoice details
Include your reference number, the invoice date and the shipping method
Shipment reference: your reference number* Invoice date: date of document* Shipment method: Sea or Air*
7. For each product being shipped:
- The title / description.
- Its commodity code, searchable here.
- Country of origin.
- Quantity sent.
- Unit value (value per item, either manufacturing cost or what the receiver paid).
- Total value (quantity x unit value).
8. The insured value.
If you choose to have the shipment insured, the cover will be subject to the carrier’s standard terms. The insured value is the maximum the insurer would compensate you for complete loss, normally the total of the goods value in step 7. For part-loss they would pay out a proportion of the insured value. In the event of a claim the insurer normally requires documented proof of value – either the manufacturer’s invoice or your sales invoice.
Give an insured value of “zero” if no insurance is required.
Value for insurance: zero or desired value*
9. Goods subtotal
A subtotal showing the total value of all goods (i.e. total of step 7)
10. Shipping
The cost of shipping and, if selected, insurance.
11. Total value for customs
The total shipment value, i.e. the sum of steps 9 and 10.
( * = edit to show your details. )
