Stock for an online seller: from Germany to end customers across Europe
This scenario is an example of a typical task. It does not describe a particular customer.
Starting situation
An online seller based outside the EU sells through its own shop to customers in Germany and the neighbouring countries. So far it ships every order individually from its home country. The parcels take a long time, every single one has to be cleared through customs, returns are practically impossible, and customers ask daily where their delivery is. The seller wants to bring its stock to Germany and deliver from there, like a European supplier.
What the customer needs
- A way to bring the stock to Germany in bulk and clear it once instead of parcel by parcel
- A warehouse that knows its articles, takes orders from the shop and ships promptly
- A German returns address with inspection and restocking
- Someone who answers customer questions about the delivery in the customer's language
How we handle it
Articles and rules.
We take over the seller's article list with dimensions, weights and barcodes, define packing rules (which article in which carton, which insert) and agree how orders reach us: through a connection to the shop or as a daily file.
First stock to Germany.
The seller consolidates its stock into one consignment. Depending on quantity and urgency we organise sea, rail or air freight, check the commercial invoice and packing list and prepare the import declaration. The seller needs an EORI number and an authorisation for this; tax questions it settles with its tax adviser, we name the points.
Goods receipt.
The consignment arrives with us, is checked against the packing list, counted by article and put into shelf bays. The seller receives the goods receipt report and sees the stock.
Daily business.
Orders come in, are picked, packed, labelled and handed to the parcel carrier that suits the destination country. The consignment number goes back to the shop, the customer receives tracking.
Returns.
Returns come to our address. We inspect them to the seller's rules, restock saleable goods, report the rest and confirm receipt to the seller so that it can trigger the refund.
Customer service and replenishment.
Questions about delivery, address and returns we answer in German and English in the seller's name. If an article's stock falls below the agreed threshold we report it and the next replenishment is planned.
A similar task? Tell us about your shipment.
Request a quoteServices involved
If the seller also sells through marketplaces, we deliver from the same stock to their fulfilment centres as well (see scenario Delivering to marketplace fulfilment centres).
What the customer gets
Delivery times like a domestic supplier; one customs clearance per replenishment instead of per parcel; a German returns address; customer questions answered before they become complaints; a stock it can inspect at any time; and a named contact who keeps warehouse, shipping and replenishment in view. The seller concentrates on range and sales.
You want to deliver from Germany?
Send us your article list and an idea of the monthly order volume. We will describe the way from the first replenishment to day-to-day operation.