Selling to EU Buyers

If you’re based in the EU, there are consumer protection regulations that apply to you. Note that EU law often allows EU consumers to invoke their consumer law protections even when dealing with businesses based outside of the EU; if you’re based outside the EU and make your listings available to buyers there, you may need to seek legal advice on your obligations. For example, under laws such as the European Union Directive on Consumer Rights, EU consumers are given special legal protections. Rules for online purchases are sometimes referred to as “distance selling laws”.

Laws and regulations may differ for​​ IndiaTradeFair​​ sellers selling products to other businesses, such as through a wholesale relationship. Also, keep in mind that some products, including custom-made goods and perishables, are exempt from certain rules. Please see below for more information on those exemptions.

This is not a complete list of all potentially relevant laws, but some of the key rules can be found in legislation like the Directive on Consumer Rights. We have simplified the rules to make them easier to understand. In addition to the Directive on Consumer Rights, there may be other European laws and regulations which apply to your business. We recommend speaking with a qualified expert about which laws may apply to you and your business.

Right to return items (Right of withdrawal)

Under the EU’s distance selling laws, buyers have the right to return certain products for any reason by contacting the seller within 14 days. This 14-day period will start the moment a customer receives a product, rather than at the time he or she purchases it. Within that time frame, buyers can change their minds and return products without providing a reason. Sellers must clearly inform buyers that they have 14 days to contact them about returning an item. If not clearly stated, this returns period will automatically extend to one year.

When​​ filling out your shop policies, make sure to accept returns and exchanges. You can set the number of days that a buyer has to contact you​​ to return an item.​​ If you sell to the EU, you can set this to a minimum of 14 days.

This rule does not apply to custom-made products, digital items, certain perishable goods, or goods that can’t be reused for health or hygiene reasons and are unsealed after delivery.

Goods which can’t be reused for health or hygiene reasons could include items such as earrings and underwear. If you sell items of this nature and wish to refuse returns for health and hygiene reasons, you must seal them in protective wrapping or packaging. If you seal an item of this nature and a buyer then unseals it after delivery, the buyer won’t be able to return it.

For custom-made products, digital items, certain perishable goods, or goods which can’t be reused for health or hygiene reasons and are unsealed after delivery, sellers must clearly warn buyers that they won’t be able to return these types of items. If not clearly stated, then buyers can return those items. If you sell items that are exempt from the right of withdrawal, you can specify which types of items may not be returned by selecting the appropriate options from the dropdown menus in your shop policies.

Model withdrawal form​​ 

You must also provide buyers with a model​​ withdrawal form​​ (in other words, a​​ cancellation form) that they can — but are not obliged to — use if they change their mind and wish to return a product. We’ve created sample forms which fulfil the EU law requirements for sellers to give to buyers.

Refund rules

Under the current regulation, if buyers properly exercise their right of return, sellers must issue a refund within 14 days of receiving the returned item or evidence that the item has been delivered back. Please note that in the EU, the refund a seller provides in the event of a return is required to include the postage cost for the initial delivery to the buyer.

Prices, taxes, and fees

Under the regulations, sellers must disclose the total price of each product — including taxes, postage charges, and any extra fees — to buyers before they place an order. If you don’t inform buyers of costs before they place an order, they will not have to pay them.​​ 

Note that any potential customs and duties fees are not included in this, since a seller will generally be unable to predict them.​​ 

Transparency about your business

EU law requires sellers to clearly and prominently provide specific information to buyers before they agree to purchase their products. For example, you must disclose your name (with enough detail to know who you are, such as your full name or company name), email address, phone number, and geographic address. You can provide this information in the seller details section of your shop policies. The information you provide there will only be visible to buyers who have set their location to an EU country.​​ IndiaTradeFair.eu​​ will not use the information you provide here to contact you.

Sellers must also give buyers information about delivery times, return policy, and seller details in a “durable medium”. A link to a page or policy is not enough. Once you fill out your shop policies, including the seller details section, we’ll take care of this requirement for you by including this information in the buyer’s receipt email.

Detailed information about digital products

You must provide detailed information about digital content, including anything related to compatibility with hardware and software. You must also notify buyers if you have taken any technical protection measures with the digital content — for example, if you’ve limited the right for buyers to make copies of the content.

Provide information on delivery times

It’s always good practice to include information about delivery times in your shop.​​ 

Customs fees

When a package is dispatched internationally, it may be subject to import taxes, customs duties, and/or fees imposed by the destination country. Generally, these fees are hard to predict and are paid by the buyer.

In your shop policies, we have included a message to buyers to let them know that there may be additional customs and import taxes to pay, and​​ that there may be unforeseen customs delays. We have made it clear that you as the seller are not responsible for these charges or delays.

However, as an​​ IndiaTradeFair.eu​​ seller, you’re expected to know and follow the import laws and regulations of the countries you are delivering to, in Europe or otherwise. This includes accurately representing the contents of your package. For example, you must ensure that a sold item is not marked “gift”.

IndiaTradeFair.eu​​ displays information to buyers about the potential for additional duties and taxes on cross-border purchases. If a buyer and a seller are located in different countries, we will inform buyers that additional duties and taxes may apply. This is to make it clear to buyers that they may be responsible for paying these additional fees.

Privacy Policy

Make sure to carefully review the Privacy Policy section of the shop policies and carefully select the options which describe your intended use of any information you receive as the result of a transaction or any interaction with a prospective buyer​​ or​​ IndiaTradeFair.eu​​ has its own Privacy Policy that all sellers must follow.

Disclaimer: This Help article contains legal information and not legal advice. If you are uncertain which laws apply to you or you have other legal questions or concerns, please consult a lawyer. The reader assumes all responsibility for any and all use of this information. This page may be updated periodically.