Dropshipping in Germany
https://travelsultant.blogspot.com/2015/11/dropshipping-in-germany_15.html
Market and competition
Same as in the US. All the big players such as amazon, wayfair are out there, some under a different name. Many of the bigger and smaller individual non chain stores are dropshippers. Some use a combination of an own warehouse and dropshipping. I have not come across another DSL members store yet.
Market selection
You could theoretically sell in all EU countries from any EU country. I recommend starting in one country. Once you have your shop up and running, open for others EU countries. Make sure you have all countries you are selling in are covered in your legal disclaimer. You will face the following challenges:
- Different taxes in different countries (same as in the US so there should be a solution)
- Different shipping costs
- Not all manufacturers will cover all countries
- Different languages
Try to combine countries with same languages smart: if you are selling in Germany, also go for Switzerland and Austria. If you are selling in France, add Belgium and Switzerland (there is a French spoken part).
Niche selection
I would say the German/EU market is similar to the US market concerning this subject. Just make sure you find out all legal aspects that apply to your product before you start selling. Just a few examples here:
- Food: you need to register as a legal food seller
- Vitamins, supplements: make sure it is labeled right! Make sure your products meets the health claim act concerning advertising statements. Make sure you choose the right legal status of your product. A supplement in the US might be classified as a medical drug in the EU.
- Energy efficiency labeling: Certain products need energy efficiency labeling. This is a unique label for each product with an energy efficiency classification, but also containing the name of the manufacturer and a product ID. Mostly your manufacturers will provide you with the labels for free. But it complicated and time consuming to custom code your shop in a way, the label appears at the right spot. The EU law gives detailed specifications here. This energy efficiency law affects many products, i.e. lamps and everything with a heating or cooling panel in it. More info: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Union_energy_label
- Alcohol: may be sold without restrictions. Age check recommended
- Knifes and anything that could be used as a weapon: age check needed
- Battery disposal: if you sell your products with a battery, you are responsible for battery disposals
Dropshipping
Most manufacturers offer dropshipping. Those who don’t often say that they are planning on doing so soon. Most have never heard the term dropshipping, some use the older German term “Streckengeschäft” but many will just say “yes of course we offer direct delivery to your customers, but we didn’t know there was a term for that.”
MAP
You will almost never find any manufacturer, who enforces a map policy. When asked, most manufacturers will say something like “oh yes of course, we ask our dealers not to sell products under a certain price”. In fact, all their dealers still do. Therefore it is even more important, selling products that have no brand recognition. When digging deeper into a niche, you might sometimes find that even though you have never heard of certain brands before, they are still well known within that niche. So do your homework.
Returns
In the EU you can return any product, that was bought online (or over the phone/fax/mail) within 14 days after receving it – no questions asked. The 14-day "cooling off" period does not apply, among others, to:
· plane and train tickets as well as concert tickets and hotel bookings for specific dates
· food and drink delivered to you by regular delivery (such as delivery by a milkman).
· goods made to order or clearly personalised (e.g. a tailor-made suit)
· sealed data carriers, such as DVDs, which you have unsealed upon receipt.
Read more: http://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/shopping/shopping-abroad/returning-unwanted-goods/index_en.htm
Warranty
Whether bought online or in a shop, you have a free 2 years warranty for your products bought in the EU. Shops or manufactures may offer an additional, better warranty, but that can never replace the regular warranty.
Interesting fact: Apple gives a one year warranty on all their products. This includes full worldwide returns and protection. But when this period is over, the 2 years EU warranty still applies! They won’t tell you that and won’t give you the same service (replacement products right away), you have to send in your request instead. But still: 2 years warranty for any apple product bought in the EU!
Common questions
Legal company aspects
Gewerbe
Impressum
AGB / Datenschutz Disclaimer
