Changes to International Shipping: What your business needs to know
This guide is to make you aware of several changes to International shipping and will be updated as and when we are supplied with updated advice from our courier partners.
The Zenstores platform is working inline with our courier partner's current specifications and the government's guidance for the changes to International Shipping on 1 January 2021.
To achieve this we have been required to make several changes to the
platform to ensure that your business can supply customs declarations as
required from 1 January 2021.
For the most part, these changes will not affect your day to day shipping as they have been made ‘behind the scenes’, but it is important you are aware of the following:
-
HS Code(s): Your business will need to supply a HS
(Harmonised Systems) code for all international shipments (EU and ROW) from
1 January 2021.
You can find the correct HS Code for your products here: https://www.gov.uk/trade-tariff
-
EORI number: Please add your business’s EORI number
to Zenstores as soon as possible as this is required for international
shipments.
For more information about EORI numbers, please visit this page: https://www.gov.uk/eori
-
Sender’s name: International shipments require a
sender’s name for customs declaration purposes. By default, Zenstores
will use the contact name in your collection address.
- VAT number: If supplied on the Customs Settings page in Zenstores, your business’s VAT number will be added automatically to customs declarations
All of the above information can be added or changed from the Customs Settings page in Zenstores.
Customs Declaration Forms
Unless stated otherwise on the Courier specific updates below, you will need to complete a paper customs declaration form (CN22 or CN23) for goods sent to EU countries.
In the same way that you include a customs declaration form for Shipments being sent to non-EU countries, you will need to complete a customs declaration for Shipments sent to EU countries too.
Again, unless otherwise stated below in the Courier specific updates, Customs Declarations for shipments to the EU will be required from 1 January 2021.
Courier specific updates
Amazon Seller Fulfilled Prime
In line with current specification, but awaiting further guidance.
International services: None
Zenstores digital customs: N/A
Shipments to from GB to Northern Ireland: Awaiting further guidance
APC Overnight
In line with current specification, but awaiting further guidance.
International services: Yes
Zenstores digital customs: Not currently supported. In line with current specification but awaiting further guidance from the courier.
Shipments to from GB to Northern Ireland: Awaiting further guidance
DX
In line with current specification, but awaiting further guidance.
International services: Yes
Zenstores digital customs: Not currently supported. In line with current specification but awaiting further guidance from the courier.
Shipments to from GB to Northern Ireland: DX are advising customers to use their “interim solution” to provide customs data. For more information about this, we recommend contacting DX.
Important: Whilst DX update their API to enable customs declarations for shipments to Northern Ireland, please do not book shipments to Northern Ireland with DX from Zenstores.
DPD and DPD Local
In line with current specification, but awaiting further guidance.
-
Digital customs will be submitted to DPD as and when it is required
- Please note: DPD doesn't return a physical customs document and it is not required for international shipments. This is because the customs data is sent electronically.
International services: Yes
Zenstores digital customs: Supported, customs will be submitted to DPD and DPD Local as and when it is required
Shipments to from GB to Northern Ireland: Awaiting further guidance
Evri
In line with current specification, but awaiting further guidance.
International services: Yes
Zenstores digital customs: Supported, customs will be submitted to Evri as and when it is required.
Shipments to from GB to Northern Ireland: Awaiting further guidance
Evri.com
In line with current specification.
International services: None
Zenstores digital customs: N/A
Shipments to from GB to Northern Ireland:
- UK mainland to Northern Ireland: Will be unavailable.
- Northern Ireland to UK mainland: this should continue to work as before.
- Northern Ireland to Northern Ireland: this should work for most customers. This may require some configuration on Evri.com end, so please contact us if you have any problems.
Parcelforce
Global Express: International shipments sent on the Global Express service require a commercial invoice. You can access this by clicking the ‘Print customs’ button in Zenstores.
Non-Global Express: International shipments sent on Non-Global Express services require both a customs document and commercial invoice. You can access these by clicking the ‘Print customs’ button in Zenstores.
International services: Yes
Zenstores digital customs: Supported, customs will be submitted to Parcelforce as and when it is required.
Shipments to from GB to Northern Ireland: From 1st
January 2021, you will not be required to make any changes to the way you send
items with Parcelforce from Great Britain to Northern Ireland. This is pending
further advice from the Government.
P2P
P2P international shipments can continue to be booked in bulk.
Though if you are booking multiple P2P shipments in one batch, your default HS code will be used and the products, line item quantity and weight will be automatically filled in by taking the information from the imported order.
If you would like to edit this information you will need to book shipments individually.
Paper customs not required.
International services: Yes
Zenstores digital customs: Supported, customs will be submitted to P2P as and when it is required.
Shipments to from GB to Northern Ireland: Awaiting further guidance
Parcel2Go
Parcel2Go requires your business to provide a HS Code when shipping international orders.
International services: Yes
Zenstores digital customs: Yes
Shipments to from GB to Northern Ireland: Awaiting further guidance
Royal Mail
As Zenstores is a Royal Mail approved shipping platform — one of the benefits of using Zenstores to ship with Royal Mail is that we will ensure your business complies with all relevant current and upcoming regulations.
Important: You will be required to enter Customs information for Royal Mail shipments with an EU destination from 24 December 2020.
International services: Yes
Zenstores digital customs: Supported, customs will be submitted to Royal Mail as and when it is required
Shipments to from GB to Northern Ireland: From 1 January 2021, you will not be required to make any changes to the way you send items with Royal Mail from Great Britain to Northern Ireland. This is pending further advice from the Government.
Yodel
International services: Yes
Zenstores digital customs: Supported, customs will be submitted to Yodel as and when it is required
Shipments to from GB to Northern Ireland: Awaiting further guidance
