Prepare customs properly
The product description, value, origin, and customs tariff number must match the product.
Dropshipping to the UK
Supplying UK customers. Brexit processes under control.
Sell directly from Germany to the UK without building your own logistics infrastructure there. Paket International combines shipping, customs, DDP/DAP, and local delivery into a predictable e-commerce process.
3-7 days
Depending on the shipping service
Local delivery
Last mile in the UK
Brexit-ready
Integrate customs processes
UK VAT
Support can be arranged
E-commerce after Brexit
UK dropshipping needs more than just a low package price.
Since Brexit, the movement of goods between the EU and the UK has once again become cross-border trade. For online retailers, this means that shipping services, customs information, import costs, and VAT should all be aligned before the first order is placed.
Clarify VAT early
The tax setup should be in place to match the sales model before the UK shop launches.
Make delivery predictable
International transport will be combined with suitable delivery within the UK.
UK shipping step by step
Order received. Customs cleared and dispatched. Arrived at the customer's location.
A clear data flow reduces manual work and prevents customs and import processes from only being noticed when the package is already on its way.
1
Order
The customer orders via shop or marketplace.
2
Check data
Product, shipping and VAT data are being prepared.
3
Export & Import
The shipment is going through the required customs process.
4
UK delivery
The last mile is handled by the appropriate delivery service.
Especially important for B2C
The £135 rule when selling to Great Britain
For online retailers, the value of goods in a shipment is a crucial factor in the UK tax and import process.
£135
important threshold for Great Britain
Different procedures apply for amounts under and over £135.
For goods sold directly to consumers, located outside the UK at the time of sale, and with a shipment value of £135 or less, UK VAT is generally already accounted for at the point of sale. For shipments of higher value, the standard import VAT and customs procedures usually apply.
Important:
Marketplace sales, B2B transactions, excise goods, and Northern Ireland may be subject to different rules. Therefore, the specific sales model should be checked before shipping.
DDP or DAP.
Who pays the import costs for UK shipments?
Especially in B2C business, the delivery terms determine whether the customer already knows their total costs at checkout or has to expect additional charges upon import.
DDP
In the DDP model, the shipper assumes the agreed import costs and the import processing up to the destination.
- Greater cost transparency for buyers
- Fewer surprises upon delivery
- Consider import costs in advance
- Particularly interesting for e-commerce
DAP
With DAP, the goods are delivered to the agreed location, while import clearance and import duties are generally the responsibility of the buyer.
- Recipient bears import costs
- Additional payment possible
- Often practical in B2B settings
- Communicate clearly at checkout
Last mile
Combining international logistics with local UK delivery
Your business remains in Germany. For delivery to the recipient, the shipping process can be combined with suitable local or UK-compatible delivery structures.
No need for a separate UK warehouse
With this model, you don't need to first set up warehouse space, staff, and a complete shipping organization in the UK. You ship from your existing infrastructure.
- No dedicated warehouse structure in the UK
- No separate shipping team required
- Reuse existing processes
- Integrate UK delivery into the shipping process
UK VAT & tax support
Setting up a UK sale in a tax-compliant manner
Separate VAT rules apply to traders based outside the UK. Depending on the sales channel, the value of the goods, and the type of customer, UK VAT registration may be required.
If your setup requires registration, tax support, or local assistance, we can help you organize suitable partners.
- Check VAT requirements
- Registration can be organized
- Tax partners can be arranged
- Adjust the shipping model accordingly
- Consider DDP/DAP
Customs & EORI
Brexit shipping requires complete goods and import data
England, Scotland, and Wales are no longer part of the EU customs territory. Therefore, the data required for export and import into the UK must be available during the shipping process.
Product description
Precise product description, value of goods and quantity form the basis of customs clearance.
HS Code & Origin
Customs tariff number and origin of goods influence customs duty rate and possible preferential treatment.
GB EORI
Anyone acting as an importer in England, Scotland or Wales may need a GB-EORI.
Northern Ireland:
For goods moving to Northern Ireland, different customs and VAT rules apply than for England, Scotland, and Wales. This landing page therefore focuses primarily on Great Britain.
Automate processes
Ship UK orders directly from shop and ERP
Especially with regular shipments, order, goods and recipient data should not be manually transferred again for each UK shipment.
Accepting orders
Use recipient, item and order data from existing systems.
Add customs data
Link relevant product information directly to the shipping order.
Play back tracking
Tracking numbers and status are transferred back to the shop or ERP system.
For dealers with UK plans
Test the UK first. Then scale shipping volume.
This model is particularly suitable for companies that want to develop the UK as a sales market or handle existing UK sales more professionally without immediately setting up their own British logistics.
Online retailer
Process UK orders centrally via the existing online shop.
Brands & Manufacturers
Building a direct business with British customers without having your own UK warehouse.
Scaling traders
Increase shipping volume without manually adjusting customs and import duties.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about dropshipping and shipping to the UK
How long does shipping to Great Britain take?
Depending on the shipping service, shipping day, type of goods and customs clearance, delivery times of approximately 3–7 days are possible.
Do I need a warehouse in the UK?
The shipping model described here does not require a dedicated UK warehouse. Orders can be shipped from your existing warehouse and shipping infrastructure.
What does the £135 limit mean?
For certain direct B2C sales to Great Britain up to a shipment value of £135, UK VAT is generally already accounted for at the point of sale. Above this limit, the regular import procedures usually apply.
Do I need a British VAT number?
This depends, among other things, on the sales model, customer type, value of goods, and marketplace usage. Companies not based in the UK may be required to register from the very first taxable UK delivery.
Can Paket International arrange UK VAT registration?
If your model requires UK VAT registration or tax assistance, we can help you organize a suitable partner.
Which is better for B2C: DDP or DAP?
DDP often allows for a more transparent customer experience because the seller covers the agreed-upon import costs. With DAP, the recipient bears the import costs. Which model is most suitable depends on the specific shipping setup.
Do I need a GB EORI?
If your company acts as an importer in England, Scotland, or Wales, a GB EORI may be required. The necessary structure should be checked before launching the shipping model.
Do the same rules apply to Northern Ireland?
No. Northern Ireland has its own VAT and customs rules for certain goods movements. Therefore, Northern Ireland should be considered separately from Great Britain.
Can my Shopify or ERP system be integrated?
Depending on the system, order, recipient, goods and shipping data can be transferred to the shipping process via plugins, integrations or APIs.
Can I calculate import costs before shipping?
Depending on the shipping model, transport costs and potential import duties can be factored in before shipment. This is particularly relevant for DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) solutions for e-commerce.
Start UK shipping
Selling to Great Britain without turning customs processes into a second business model.
Together we will check the transit time, carrier, DDP or DAP, customs process, UK VAT and the appropriate technical connection for your shipment to Great Britain.