How We Make EU Shipping Simple: The IOSS System Explained
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If you’re an artist, collector, or art lover in the EU, you might wonder what happens behind the scenes when you order a print or card from Wisque. Taxes, customs, and delivery can sound complicated, but our goal is to make things as smooth and transparent as possible. That’s why we use the IOSS system for all our EU orders.
But what is IOSS, and why does it matter to you? Let’s break it down.
What is the IOSS?
IOSS stands for “Import One-Stop Shop.” It’s a system created by the European Union to make shopping across borders easier and more predictable. Before IOSS, if you ordered something from outside the EU, your parcel might get held up at customs, and you could be asked to pay extra VAT (value-added tax) and handling fees before your order was delivered. Not ideal!
With IOSS, things have changed for the better. Here’s how it works:
- When you order from Wisque and your delivery address is in the EU, we calculate and collect the correct VAT for your country at checkout.
- We partner with EAS, a specialist tax compliance provider based in Finland, to make sure everything is handled properly.
- We then pay that VAT directly to EU authorities, using the IOSS system.
- Your parcel is shipped with all the right paperwork, so when it arrives, there are no surprise charges and no customs delays.
Are There Any Limits to IOSS?
Yes, there’s one important thing to know: IOSS currently only covers orders up to €150 (excluding taxes and shipping).
This means if the value of your prints or cards (before VAT and postage) is €150 or less, we can collect the VAT at checkout and handle everything via IOSS - so your order arrives with no surprise fees or customs hold-ups.
This means if the value of your prints or cards (before VAT and postage) is €150 or less, we can collect the VAT at checkout and handle everything via IOSS - so your order arrives with no surprise fees or customs hold-ups.
If your order is above €150 (again, just for the products themselves, not counting shipping or taxes), IOSS can’t be used. In those cases, you may be asked to pay VAT and customs charges when your parcel arrives. We know this isn’t ideal, and we hope the EU will extend the IOSS system to all order values in the future.
Why Do We Use IOSS?
We want to give our EU customers (and the artists we support) the best possible experience. The IOSS system helps us do that by:
- Making sure you see the full cost of your order (including VAT) at checkout—no hidden extras.
- Speeding up delivery, because parcels clear customs more quickly when all the taxes are paid in advance.
- Reducing the risk of parcels being held, returned, or delayed due to unpaid taxes.
What Are the Benefits for You?
For EU Customers:
- No surprise fees: You won’t be asked to pay extra VAT or handling charges when your parcel arrives.
- Faster shipping: Customs clearance is much smoother, so you get your art sooner.
- Total transparency: You know exactly what you’re paying for, right from the start.
For Artists Working with Wisque:
- Happier customers: Fewer delivery issues mean more positive reviews and repeat buyers.
- Fewer headaches: Less time spent sorting out customs queries and returns.
- Full compliance: Your art business stays on the right side of EU regulations, thanks to our partnership with EAS.
In Summary
At Wisque, we’re always looking for ways to make life easier for artists and art lovers alike. Using the IOSS system for EU orders means you get a seamless, worry-free experience—just beautiful art, delivered to your door, with no hidden surprises.
If you have any questions about shipping, taxes, or how we handle international orders, our team is always here to help. Just drop us a line at support@wisque.com.
Thanks for supporting independent artists and for being part of the Wisque community!