{"id":15673,"date":"2026-03-03T13:05:29","date_gmt":"2026-03-03T13:05:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/westernbid.com\/%d0%b1%d0%b5%d0%b7-%d0%ba%d0%b0%d1%82%d0%b5%d0%b3%d0%be%d1%80%d1%96%d1%97\/mandatory-letter-to-the-german-buyer\/"},"modified":"2026-07-13T07:14:28","modified_gmt":"2026-07-13T07:14:28","slug":"letter","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/westernbid.com\/en\/knowledge-base\/letter\/","title":{"rendered":"Mandatory letter to a German buyer"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"15673\" class=\"elementor elementor-15673 elementor-4043\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b0809c0 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"b0809c0\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5c9ea41 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"5c9ea41\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"page-summary\"><blockquote><p>On this page you will find a ready-made template letter to a German customer, which explains possible actions by customs, the storage period for the parcel, the necessary documents, and the amount of potential customs duties and VAT.<\/p><\/blockquote><p>This letter helps prevent situations where the buyer does not pick up the parcel from customs, files a complaint with PayPal or on the marketplace, and the seller loses both the goods and the money due to a lack of knowledge of German customs rules.<\/p><\/section>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-551720c elementor-hidden-desktop elementor-hidden-tablet elementor-hidden-mobile elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"551720c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"for-whom\"><h2>Who this letter is for<\/h2><ul><li>Sellers who ship goods to Germany through Western Bid.<\/li><li>Sellers on eBay, Etsy and other marketplaces, where a significant portion of orders come from German customers.<\/li><li>Users who have already faced situations where a parcel got stuck in customs, and the buyer filed a complaint and received a refund.<\/li><\/ul><\/section>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-676ef7e elementor-hidden-desktop elementor-hidden-tablet elementor-hidden-mobile elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"676ef7e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"letter-essence\"><h2>The essence of the mandatory letter to a German buyer<\/h2><ul><li>German buyers often do not know that a package from abroad may be held by customs, and they expect delivery &#8220;to the door&#8221; without any additional action.<\/li><li>The letter explains in advance that the parcel may go through customs; the buyer will receive a notice and must collect the shipment within 14 days, providing proof of purchase (eBay\/Etsy or PayPal payment).<\/li><li>The letter also describes which taxes and duties may be charged, which thresholds apply for gifts and purchases, and how the IOSS number is used if VAT has already been paid on the marketplace.<\/li><li>Regularly sending this letter to all German buyers reduces the risk of uncollected parcels, complaints, and refunds to the buyer.<\/li><\/ul><\/section>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d12b6c4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"d12b6c4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Many sellers have found themselves in situations where the buyer has no idea about the customs laws and duties of the country in which they reside. Unfortunately, because of this, sellers sometimes incur losses, while the buyer, not receiving the parcel, <a href=\"https:\/\/westernbid.com\/articles\/complaints\">opens a complaint<\/a> in PayPal or on the marketplace, which may be resolved in their favor.<\/p><p>\u200dChampions of ignorance of customs regulations (according to our statistics) are residents of Germany. We offer you a sample letter that we recommend sending to all your buyers from Germany.<\/p><blockquote><p>Sehr geehrter K\u00e4ufer, vielen Dank, dass Sie sich f\u00fcr das Kauf meines Artikels entschieden haben.<\/p><p class=\"space\">Da die Ware aber aus dem Ausland kommt, kann es passieren ( muss aber nicht ), dass die Sendung beim Zoll festgehalten wird.<\/p><p class=\"space\">Man erh\u00e4lt einen Brief: d.h. dass das Paket beim Zollamt bereit zum Abholen liegt. Der Brief enth\u00e4lt dann den Hinweis, dass man sich das Paket am Zollamt abholen k\u00f6nne und eine Rechnung der bestellten Ware vorlegen m\u00f6ge. Dies kann entweder eine tats\u00e4chliche Rechnung sein, es reicht jedoch auch ein Ausdruck der Ebay\/Etsy oder Ihrer PayPal-Zahlung.<\/p><p class=\"space\">Sollten Sie so einen Brief vom Zollamt erhalten, drucken Sie bitte die o.g. Kaufbest\u00e4tigung , PayPal-Zahlung aus und fahren Sie zum Zollamt um die Ware abzuholen. Die Ware soll innerhalb von 14 Tagen nach dem Erhalten des Briefes abgeholt werden.<\/p><p class=\"space\">Der Brief vom Zollamt erh\u00e4lt die Zollnummer Ihrer Sendung, Telefonnummer des Zollamtes und oft auch eine E-Mailadresse des lokalen Zollamtes. In diesem Fall k\u00f6nnen Sie ein E-Mail an das Zollamt schicken und die Unterlagen anh\u00e4ngen. Sollte keine Zollgeb\u00fchren anfallen, so wird die Sendung frei gegeben. Sollte aber Zollgeb\u00fchren und oder Umsatzsteuer einfallen (bitte sehen Sie unten), k\u00f6nnen Sie das Zollamt bitten die Sendung an die Post zu \u00fcbergeben damit die anfallende Geb\u00fchren an den Postboten bezahlt werden k\u00f6nnen.<\/p><p class=\"space\">Oft k\u00f6nnen auch die Geb\u00fchren unbar bezahlt werden, was viele nicht wissen: \u00dcberweisung oder Einzahlung auf das Konto einer Zollzahlstelle oder Abbuchungsauftrag. Bitte fragen Sie das Zollamt nach, falls Sie unbar zahlen wollen. So sparen Sie sich den Weg zum Zollamt.<\/p><p class=\"space\">Die m\u00f6glichen zu zahlenden Geb\u00fchren f\u00fcr die Sendungen, die au\u00dferhalb des Zollgebietes der EU kommen berechnen sich wie folgt:<\/p><p class=\"space\">Ausnahmen: Geschenksendung \u2013 privat zu privat zollfrei bis 45,00\u20ac.<\/p><p class=\"space\">Sendungen, deren Wert 150 Euro nicht \u00fcbersteigt, unterliegen einer obligatorischen Mehrwertsteuer (VAT\/MwSt) von 19% des Bestellwerts. Wenn die Transaktion auf den Handelsplattformen eBay\/Etsy stattgefunden hat, erhebt die Plattform diese Steuer selbst und f\u00fcgt sie zum Preis des gekauften Artikels gekauften Artikel hinzu.<\/p><p class=\"space\">Der K\u00e4ufer und Verk\u00e4ufer erhalten in diesem Fall eine IOSS-Nummer, die die bezahlte Mehrwertsteuer f\u00fcr den gekauften Artikel best\u00e4tigt. Der K\u00e4ufer muss in diesem Fall beim Empfang der Sendung keine Mehrwertsteuer zahlen. Zur ordnungsgem\u00e4\u00dfen Abwicklung der Sendung muss bei der Erstellung der Postdokumente unbedingt die IOSS-Nummer angegeben werden.<\/p><p class=\"space\">F\u00fcr die Sendungen mit Warenwert \u00fcber 150\u20ac zahlt man Zollgeb\u00fchren (H\u00f6he der Zollgeb\u00fchren \u2013 0,5-17 % je nach Warenkategorie und dem Herkunftsland) plus 19% Einfuhrumsatzsteuer.<\/p><p class=\"space\">MFG Your name.<\/p><\/blockquote>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cf4cdd3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"cf4cdd3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Translation of the letter into Ukrainian:<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1a00074 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"1a00074\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<blockquote><p>Dear customer, thank you for purchasing the item from me.<\/p><p class=\"space\">As the package is coming from abroad, it may happen (not necessarily) that the package will be delayed by customs.<\/p><p class=\"space\">In this case, you will receive a mail notification that your parcel is at customs and needs to be picked up.<\/p><p class=\"space\">The message will indicate that you need to present the invoice for the purchase. You can simply print the item description from eBay or a copy of your PayPal payment.<\/p><p class=\"space\">If you have received the above-mentioned notification from customs, please print the documents listed above and bring them to your local customs office. You must collect the goods within 14 days of receiving the postal notification.<\/p><p class=\"space\">The customs notice contains the customs reference number for your parcel, the customs office&#8217;s phone number, and, in most cases, the customs office&#8217;s e-mail. You can email customs, attaching the aforementioned documents. If you do not need to pay the customs duty (see below), your parcel will clear customs and be handed over to the postal service for further delivery to you.<\/p><p class=\"space\">If, however, the customs duty still must be paid, you can ask customs to dispatch the parcel by post and pay the customs duty to the postal employee upon receipt of the parcel.<\/p><p class=\"space\">It is often possible to pay the customs duty electronically, which many people do not know about. For example, by bank transfer. Please obtain information about this option at customs if you do not want to pay the duty in cash, and you will not have to go to customs.<\/p><p class=\"space\">You can email customs, attaching the documents mentioned above. If you do not need to pay the customs duty (see below), your parcel will clear customs and be handed over to the postal service for further delivery to you.<\/p><p class=\"space\">If, however, the customs duty still needs to be paid, you can ask customs to forward the parcel by mail and pay the customs duty to the postal worker upon receipt of the parcel.<\/p><p class=\"space\">Possible customs charges:<\/p><p class=\"space\">The customs duty is not charged in cases where the parcel is sent from private individual to private individual or as a gift to a private individual, with the declared value being less than \u20ac45.00.<\/p><p class=\"space\">Packages with a value not exceeding \u20ac150 are subject to mandatory VAT [VAT\/MwSt] 19% of the order value. If the transaction occurred on the eBay\/Etsy marketplaces, this tax is collected by the marketplace itself and added to the price of the purchased goods. The buyer and seller in this case receive an IOSS number, confirming the VAT paid for the purchased goods. The buyer in this case will not have to pay VAT upon receipt of the parcel. For proper processing of the shipment, it is mandatory to indicate the IOSS number when creating the shipping documents.<\/p><p class=\"space\">Packages with a contents value exceeding \u20ac150 require mandatory payment of customs duties ranging from 0.5% to 17%, depending on the category of goods and the country of origin, and VAT of 19% of the value of the goods must also be paid.<\/p><p class=\"space\">Best regards, Your name.<\/p><\/blockquote>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-87efe77 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"87efe77\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<blockquote class=\"note-warning\"><p><strong>Important:<\/strong> if the buyer does not know about customs regulations and does not pick up the package from customs, he may receive a full refund through PayPal or the marketplace, and the seller will be left without both the product and the money. A short explanatory letter significantly reduces the risk of such situations.<\/p><\/blockquote>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-696483d elementor-hidden-desktop elementor-hidden-tablet elementor-hidden-mobile elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"696483d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"de-customs-thresholds\"><h2>Main customs thresholds for parcels to Germany (as per the letter text)<\/h2><table><thead><tr><th>Type of shipment<\/th><th>Conditions<\/th><th>What the recipient pays<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>Gift &#8220;private person \u2192 private person&#8221;<\/td><td>Declared value is less than \u20ac45.00.<\/td><td>No customs duty is charged; the parcel may pass duty-free.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Standard parcel with value up to \u20ac150<\/td><td>Commercial shipment (purchase in store or on a marketplace).<\/td><td>Mandatory VAT (VAT\/MwSt) 19% of the order value. If the deal was on eBay\/Etsy, the platform collects this VAT itself and adds it to the price of the item.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Parcel with value over \u20ac150<\/td><td>Commercial shipment above the \u20ac150 customs threshold.<\/td><td>Customs duty 0.5\u201317% depending on the product category and country of origin + 19% VAT on the value of the goods.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/section>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c5122d3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"c5122d3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\"><h2>Frequently Asked Questions about the letter to the German buyer<\/h2><\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c5447a4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-n-accordion\" data-id=\"c5447a4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;default_state&quot;:&quot;expanded&quot;,&quot;max_items_expended&quot;:&quot;one&quot;,&quot;n_accordion_animation_duration&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;ms&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:400,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]}}\" data-widget_type=\"nested-accordion.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-n-accordion\" aria-label=\"Accordion. Open links with Enter or Space, close with Escape, and navigate with Arrow Keys\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<details id=\"e-n-accordion-item-2060\" class=\"e-n-accordion-item\" open>\n\t\t\t\t<summary class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title\" data-accordion-index=\"1\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-expanded=\"true\" aria-controls=\"e-n-accordion-item-2060\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-header'><div class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title-text\"> <h3>Why would you even send a separate letter to a German buyer?<\/h3> <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-icon'>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-opened' ><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-minus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h384c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-closed'><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-plus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H272V64c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32h-32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v144H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h144v144c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h32c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32V304h144c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-2060\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1015771 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"1015771\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-2060\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-650f9c0 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"650f9c0\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4da4ef3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"4da4ef3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Many buyers in Germany do not know how customs work for parcels from abroad. The letter explains that a parcel may be delayed, what to do when you receive a notification from customs, which documents are required and which fees may apply. This reduces the risk of unclaimed parcels and complaints on PayPal\/the marketplace.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<details id=\"e-n-accordion-item-2061\" class=\"e-n-accordion-item\" >\n\t\t\t\t<summary class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title\" data-accordion-index=\"2\" tabindex=\"-1\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"e-n-accordion-item-2061\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-header'><div class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title-text\"> <h3>Is it mandatory to send a letter to every German customer?<\/h3> <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-icon'>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-opened' ><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-minus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h384c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-closed'><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-plus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H272V64c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32h-32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v144H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h144v144c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h32c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32V304h144c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-2061\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b47b844 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"b47b844\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-2061\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b07fe42 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"b07fe42\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-26adbe6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"26adbe6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Formally it&#8217;s not mandatory, but practice shows that regularly sending a letter to all German customers significantly reduces the number of customs problems and uncollected parcels. We recommend doing this for every order with a German address.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<details id=\"e-n-accordion-item-2062\" class=\"e-n-accordion-item\" >\n\t\t\t\t<summary class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title\" data-accordion-index=\"3\" tabindex=\"-1\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"e-n-accordion-item-2062\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-header'><div class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title-text\"> <h3>Do you need to change the letter text for other EU countries?<\/h3> <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-icon'>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-opened' ><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-minus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h384c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-closed'><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-plus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H272V64c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32h-32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v144H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h144v144c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h32c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32V304h144c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-2062\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4531f9f e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"4531f9f\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-2062\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4df4fcd e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"4df4fcd\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0c9fd1f elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"0c9fd1f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This template is specifically adapted to Germany&#8217;s rules, including thresholds of \u20ac45 for gifts, \u20ac150 for goods, VAT 19% and customs duty of 0.5\u201317%. For other EU countries, tax rates and thresholds may differ, so the letter should be reworked in accordance with local rules. But it is also advisable to check the current rates and rules.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<details id=\"e-n-accordion-item-2063\" class=\"e-n-accordion-item\" >\n\t\t\t\t<summary class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title\" data-accordion-index=\"4\" tabindex=\"-1\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"e-n-accordion-item-2063\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-header'><div class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title-text\"> <h3>What is the IOSS number and why mention it in the letter?<\/h3> <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-icon'>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-opened' ><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-minus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h384c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-closed'><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-plus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H272V64c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32h-32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v144H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h144v144c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h32c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32V304h144c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-2063\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-01dfc9a e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"01dfc9a\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-2063\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-eab504e e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"eab504e\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0979bfc elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"0979bfc\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If the buyer paid for the order on eBay\/Etsy, VAT for orders up to \u20ac150 is collected by the marketplace itself and the IOSS number is provided, which confirms the VAT payment. In this case the buyer should not pay VAT upon receiving the package, and the IOSS number must be specified when creating the shipping documents.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<details id=\"e-n-accordion-item-2064\" class=\"e-n-accordion-item\" >\n\t\t\t\t<summary class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title\" data-accordion-index=\"5\" tabindex=\"-1\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"e-n-accordion-item-2064\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-header'><div class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title-text\"> <h3>What happens if the buyer ignores the notice and does not pick up the parcel from customs?<\/h3> <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-icon'>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-opened' ><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-minus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h384c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-closed'><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-plus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H272V64c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32h-32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v144H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h144v144c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h32c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32V304h144c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-2064\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-27fd633 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"27fd633\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-2064\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1208cfc e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"1208cfc\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8a7d52c elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"8a7d52c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In such a case, the parcel may be returned to the sender or destroyed, and the buyer may file a complaint and demand a refund. Having a letter sent in advance with instructions reduces the risk of such situations, but it cannot fully eliminate them \u2014 it is also important to monitor tracking and remind the buyer of the need to take action.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d461819 elementor-hidden-desktop elementor-hidden-tablet elementor-hidden-mobile elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"d461819\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"cta-block\">\n<h2>What to do now<\/h2>\n<ol>\n<li>Create a template of this letter in German in your marketplace&#8217;s private messages.<\/li>\n<li>Add tags for substituting the buyer&#8217;s name, the order number, and the IOSS number (if VAT has already been paid on eBay\/Etsy).<\/li>\n<li>Set up the rule: send this letter to all German buyers immediately after payment and in case of delays at customs.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/section>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e853eba e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"e853eba\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e8250a7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-html\" data-id=\"e8250a7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"html.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<script type=\"application\/ld+json\">\r\n{\r\n  \"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\",\r\n  \"@graph\": [\r\n    {\r\n      \"@type\": \"Organization\",\r\n      \"@id\": \"https:\/\/westernbid.com\/#organization\",\r\n      \"name\": \"Western Bid\",\r\n      \"url\": \"https:\/\/westernbid.com\/\",\r\n      \"logo\": {\r\n       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customers to reduce the risk of customs issues and complaints.\",\r\n      \"inLanguage\": \"en\",\r\n      \"step\": [\r\n        {\r\n          \"@type\": \"HowToStep\",\r\n          \"name\": \"Prepare the letter text in templates\",\r\n          \"text\": \"Copy the German-language text of the letter into marketplace message templates or CRM, add your name and store name.\"\r\n        },\r\n        {\r\n          \"@type\": \"HowToStep\",\r\n          \"name\": \"Add dynamic fields\",\r\n          \"text\": \"Provide space for the customer's name, order number, purchase amount, tracking number, and the IOSS number (if VAT has already been paid on the marketplace).\"\r\n        },\r\n        {\r\n          \"@type\": \"HowToStep\",\r\n          \"name\": \"Send the letter to all German customers\",\r\n          \"text\": \"After every payment with a German address, send this letter in marketplace messages and\/or to the customer's email.\"\r\n        },\r\n        {\r\n          \"@type\": \"HowToStep\",\r\n          \"name\": \"Remind about delays at customs\",\r\n          \"text\": \"If the tracking shows the package is delayed at customs, resend the letter and ask the customer to contact customs or collect the shipment within 14 days.\"\r\n        }\r\n      ]\r\n    },\r\n    {\r\n      \"@type\": \"FAQPage\",\r\n      \"@id\": \"https:\/\/westernbid.com\/articles\/letter#faq\",\r\n      \"mainEntity\": [\r\n        {\r\n          \"@type\": \"Question\",\r\n          \"name\": \"Why send a separate letter to the German customer?\",\r\n          \"acceptedAnswer\": {\r\n            \"@type\": \"Answer\",\r\n            \"text\": \"The letter explains to the customer in Germany that a cross-border shipment may be delayed by customs, what documents are required, the storage window (14 days), and what taxes and duties may apply. 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The letter reduces the risk of such situations, but it is also important to track the tracking and remind the buyer of the required actions.\"\r\n          }\r\n        }\r\n      ]\r\n    }\r\n  ]\r\n}\r\n<\/script>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ffc40bc e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"ffc40bc\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Find out why you should send a letter to a German customer about customs, which documents are needed to receive a parcel, which VAT and duty thresholds apply in Germany, and how to avoid complaints, refunds, and unclaimed shipments.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"elementor_theme","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_yoast_wpseo_title":"Mandatory letter to a German buyer about customs%%sep%% %%sitename%%","_yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"Ready-made letter template for a German customer: what to explain about customs, documents, holding periods for the parcel, VAT, duties, and how to reduce the risk of complaints and 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