Recently, we have received feedback from some Amazon sellers that their UK stores have been restricted from selling, and that Amazon requires an Import Entry Number (IEN) for shipments to the UK. Otherwise, the store may be stopped to provide warehousing and delivery services. Suddenly! Amazon UK is checking IEN codes, what should sellers do?
IEN has become the focus of cross-border e-commerce. Green Circle today to nag you what is the IEN code? How to get the IEN code? What will be the impact of this incident on cross-border e-commerce?
New Compliance Requirements for IEN Number on Amazon UK Site
The Due Diligence Scheme for Warehousing Services Operators (FHDDS) is a UK regulation that sets out the registration, due diligence and record-keeping requirements that UK distribution business operators must comply with when dealing with goods of non-UK origin owned by, or stored on behalf of, non-UK sellers.
Sellers with accounts outside of the UK who send stock to Amazon's UK operations center are required to provide an Import Entry Number (IEN) for goods shipped to Amazon's UK operations center, and in accordance with the Warehousing Provider Due Diligence Scheme (FHDDS), Amazon is required to retain all IEN records supplied by the seller, as well as any other VAT and Customs related information.
The FHDDS requires Amazon to notify HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) when it knows or has reasonable grounds to suspect that a seller is not complying with UK VAT requirements or is failing to comply with customs obligations, and Amazon may be required to terminate the provision of the relevant merchandise warehousing and delivery services as of June 30, European time.
How sellers can complete FHDDS compliance
Step1: Sellers need to clear customs in a compliant manner, and after completing customs clearance, contact the seller's logistics agent or freight forwarder to obtain an IEN.
Step2: After getting the IEN, please find the shipment number through the seller's platform "Menu - Inventory - Shipments", and then find the "Incomplete Import Details" IEN window under the status of the affected shipments. Please find the "Incomplete Import Details" in the status of the affected shipment in the IEN window.
Step3: Select "The shipment has import record" and enter valid IEN.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the Import Entry Number (IEN)?
When goods are imported into the UK, the UK Customs and Excise Department (C&ED) assigns an IEN, which can be of several different types. The most common formats are the "Transport Reference Number (MRN)" and the S10. When a shipment enters the UK and is declared to Customs, an IEN is assigned to the shipment by Customs and Excise and is issued to the declarant, which may be a logistics agent or a freight forwarder.
2. How long do I need to import IEN?
After Amazon's UK operations center first receives a shipment, it will take 60 days to add an IEN to the shipment by checking the progress of the shipment on the seller's platform.
3、What should I do if I have purchased an item in the UK and then shipped it to Amazon?
If these items are purchased in the UK and then shipped to Amazon, they are not covered by the program and an import entry number is not required.
4、Will this regulation affect sellers who only use seller's own delivery?
The Warehouse Services Operator Due Diligence program is specifically applicable to UK operations centers and relates to goods of non-UK origin that are stored on behalf of non-UK sellers. Therefore, the Warehouse Services Operator Due Diligence Program would not have an impact if Amazon Logistics services were not used.
5, as an approved warehousing services operator, warehousing services operator due diligence program on Amazon imposed what obligations?
Amazon is required to notify HM Revenue & Customs if it knows or has reasonable grounds to suspect that the Seller is not complying with UK VAT and customs obligations in relation to the imported goods. If Amazon has reasonable grounds to suspect that the Seller is not complying with the relevant requirements and continues to do so after 60 days, Amazon may be required to terminate the provision of the relevant merchandise warehousing and delivery services.
The importance of the word "compliance" is becoming more and more prominent as the European compliance policy adjustments come and go. Sellers are reminded to use compliant customs clearance for future shipments and to take action to fulfill their compliance obligations before enforcement decisions are made.
Green Circle Technology is committed to providing cross-border sellers with global VAT, European EPR, trademarks and patents, testing and certification, overseas business, etc., and has built a SaaS system, service providers, solution providers, one-stop platform for brands to go to sea and other integrated services, to provide a full range of compliance options for enterprises to go to sea. If you have any questions about Amazon UK IEN compliance, please feel free to contact us.
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