Import of goods
Secure and reliable product import for your business
LetMeShip makes it fast, easy and cost effective to ship goods from your business customers or overseas operations anywhere in the world.
Whether you need urgent spare parts from the Far East or raw materials for production from the EU, our multi-carrier shipping platform offers you a wide choice of shipping service providers and a variety of transport methods for importing parcels and pallets for business customer shipping – whatever your needs.
Shipping providers available for transporting goods with LetMeShip
Small and medium businesses in particular benefit from free use, special rates with the major shipping service proviers and a dedicated shipping expert in customer service. Use our global network of shipping partners including DHL, UPS, FedEx and many more. The availability of our shipping partners may vary from the country you ship from.
Import goods from the EU, overseas or any destination
The proportion of commercial imports is increasing. In particular, special rules apply to customs procedures when trading goods with third countries. We answer the most important questions about import declarations, customs formalities and import VAT in our FAQs on this page or by telephone.
Importing goods – your advantages of a multi-carrier shipping platform
- Transparent shipping costs: compare prices from different providers and choose the transport option that best suits your needs.
- Attractive conditions: benefit from our exclusive customer discounts, which you would not be able to negotiate as an individual customer.
- End-to-end online shipping platform: use our user-friendly platform for an easy and convenient shipping process – from booking to tracking.
- Personalised advice: Our experienced customer service team is always on hand to help and advise you to ensure that your shipping process runs smoothly.
- Free use of the shipping platform – you only pay for the consignments you book.
You want to export goods? We’re also the right partners to help you! Learn more about exporting with us.
Just ask us personally
If you have any questions about all the customs formalities, the commercial documents required or the shipping options matching your needs, our dedicated customer service team will be happy to answer any questions you may have about importing your goods.
Book your consignment in just 5 steps – this is how it works
After your free registration, you can immediately get your goods on their way. Booking via the shipping platform is easy and can be done in 5 steps:
- Register for free
- Enter consignment data
- Compare prices and select a shipping service provider
- Confirm booking
- Track the status of your consignment in real time
Import of goods via express
Are you on a tight deadline to deliver or send goods to a recipient? In many cases, your express import needs to travel across long distances. To ensure that urgent goods arrive on time, we recommend express delivery. Choose one of the reliable and secure transport service providers such as DHL, UPS, TNT or FedEx on our shipping platform.
With LetMeShip, you benefit from the following advantages when sending via express:
- Fast delivery
- Flexible pick-up
- Reliable Saturday and ex-works delivery
- Reasonable prices
- Individual business conditions for frequent senders
We look forward to your enquiry.
Import of good from third countries such as China and USA
When importing goods into the EU from third countries such as the USA, China, Switzerland, Turkey and, since Brexit, the UK, businesses must comply with certain customs and tax regulations and restrictions, depending on the country. Third countries are any countries that are not part of the European Economic Area (EEA).
Sounds complicated? Luckily, it’s not when you use our shipping platform. You simply enter your shipping details and off you go. Plus, you benefit from our years of shipping expertise and fair terms. If your shipping volume reaches a certain level, LetMeShip can also offer you additional wholesale discounts.
You will always have an overview of the current availability of all shipping options with full price-performance transparency and a personal shipping expert at your side from the very first booking.You can view the status of your consignment at any time via our integrated tracking.
Trade with overseas countries
In terms of international trade in goods, China is currently the largest trading partner, accounting for 8 percent of all imports in 2023 – a tenfold increase in its share of EU imports since 1988.(1) The USA follows in third place. Outside the EU, there are no other economic centres of similar relevance for foreign trade.
Source: Eurostat. (April 16, 2024). Annual share of goods imports into the EU from all countries of the world from 1988 to 2023, by trading partner [Graph]. In Statista.
Bringing goods from China
Bringing goods from China is about more than just bridging long distances. Cultural, linguistic and social differences also have an impact and often lead to misunderstandings, additional costs and, in the worst case, shipping delays. Instead of painstakingly comparing prices and shipping options on various websites and local transport service providers, you have all the secure shipping solutions of well-known service providers at a glance. If you have any problems whilst booking process, our shipping experts will be happy to advise you personally and can offer you shipping alternatives. We help your business to ensure that urgent imports arrive safely at their destination.
FAQ Import of goods
Did you know that express import is often cheaper than standard import? This is due to the terms we have already negotiated with the distribution partners and which we pass on to you. This also applies to our other shipping options. To find out the price for your import, register for free and once you have entered your shipping details you will be able to compare prices and transit times available for your needs.
All our special shipping options can be booked for the goods imports. Of course, this always depends on the type of goods and the country from which you are importing. To book a special service, existing customers select the ‘Special Delivery’ tab on the booking platform.
Companies can choose from a variety of special delivery methods, such as same-day delivery, couriers, air freight or the shipping of bulky goods, and many more.
How to can my company make use of the of all shipping options?
We recommend that interested customers create a free customer account (without a binding contract and volume restrictions). This way, we can reach all available shipping providers with a single request and send you the most cost-effective offer.
Prerequisites for a smooth import are an EORI number and the import declaration. In principle, all goods and third-country goods (goods from a non-EU country when imported into the EU) must be declared by means of a customs declaration.
Checklist for importing goods: – You should note these formalities
- EORI number
- Import declaration
- Customs tariff number (determine the product number)
- Determine the current return address
- Specify the delivery address
- Create a consignment note and send it to the exporter
- Track the consigment using integrated tracking
- Customs clearance when your goods arrive in your country – you will be contacted by customs regarding how you would like to clear customs: a) You clear customs yourself b) you use a customs agent to clear customs for you c) you have the shipping service provider clear customs for you
- Customs duties: The amount of customs duties varies depending on the value and type of goods. You can get information on the customs rate from the customs office, your customs broker or the customs officer in your company.
Import VAT is levied by the customs administration in addition to customs duties and special excise duties when goods are imported from third countries. It is the sales tax (also known as value added tax) payable on the consumption or sale of goods and the provision of services within the European Union.
Goods that have been exempted from sales tax in the exporting country are subject to import sales tax in the importing country. This import tax prevents the imported goods from reaching the final consumer without sales tax.
Unlike VAT, import tax is collected by the customs administration because it is levied at the point of import. This also applies to business-related imports.
The USA is an important trade partner for many EU countries. The main imports are:
- Raw materials: oil, gas and other raw products from the USA
- Agricultural machinery: US agricultural technology is known and popular worldwide
- Aircraft: the aviation industry is an important area of transatlantic trade relations
- Pharmaceutical products: The USA is a leading supplier of medicines and other pharmaceutical products.
China is the EU’s most important trading partner. The main imports are:
- Electronics: smartphones, computers and other electronic devices often come from China
- Textiles: clothing and other textiles
- Machinery: China has developed into an important producer of machinery in recent years
- Toys and sports equipment
We offer an integrated supplier connection for your company shipping on our booking platform. This allows you to invite your suppliers, no matter where they are located. The supplier link makes it easy to control shipping costs. It also ensures that your suppliers always book at your shipping rates for all shipments, especially for imports. Our supplier connectivity helps you simplify your shipping process, reduce shipping costs and keep them under control.
(1)Eurostat. (April 16, 2024). Annual share of goods imports into the EU from all countries of the world from 1988 to 2023, by trading partner [Graph]. In Statista.Basic insurance is already included when you book your business delivery. However, the costs and coverage may vary depending on the value of the goods and the chosen shipping service provider. If you are sending particularly valuable goods, you should definitely take out additional insurance for them. We recommend that you add the LetMeShip guarantee when booking. It serves as an insurance for all parcels, pallets and documents.
Shipping options available at LetMeShip
