For Irish ecommerce businesses, the UK and the rest of the EU are natural markets — but they now have different rules for customs, VAT and returns. This is general information; take professional advice.
Show the right price
Display prices in the right currency and include or explain taxes and duties clearly.
Customs and duties
Sales to Great Britain may involve customs declarations and import charges. Make sure customers know whether duties are included.
EU VAT
Distance selling within the EU follows rules on where VAT is due. Schemes such as OSS can simplify reporting.
Shipping and returns
Choose carriers experienced in cross-border delivery and explain returns clearly.
FAQs
Should we have separate stores for the UK and EU?
Many use one store with market settings; very different operations may suit separate stores.
Do customers pay duties?
That depends on your setup; delivered-duty-paid shipping improves the experience.
Can our platform calculate VAT automatically?
Most modern platforms can, with correct configuration.
