Shipping parcels to the world with SAMOS; FAQs

How does SAMOS export parcels into the EU?: We phyisically export parcels into the EU ourselves using our own vehicle network and EU customs agents. We do not use any other parcel delivery company for EU clearance.

Can I ship parcels into the EU without an IOSS number?: Yes. You do not need an IOSS number to use the SAMOS EU parcel delivery service. Even without an IOSS number your customer will never be asked to pay any VAT, duty, customs or local handling fees before delivery. Contact us and we’ll explain how this works or you can read our blog article to find out more.

Can I ship parcels into the EU with an IOSS number?: Yes. Provide us with your IOSS number, and we will clear your parcels into the EU on this basis.

Does my customer have to pay any VAT, duty or local 'doorstep' admin charges before their parcel is delivered?: No, never. Our bespoke customs clearance solution for EU parcels means your EU customers will never be asked for VAT, duty, or local admin charges before delivery. Please Contact us and we’ll explain how this works.

I’m having problems in the EU with delayed, refused and returned parcels. Will I get the same problems with SAMOS?: No, never. Delays, refusals and returns are generally caused by two issues:

Customs issues in specific EU member states who restrict certain products from the UK to enter their country if shipped directly from the UK. We have analysed what causes this issue and overcome this by our specially engineered customs and parcel routing process. We will also check all your HS Codes before you ship with us to identify any potentially restricted items. Please Contact us and we’ll explain how this works or read our blog post on tariff codes for more information.

VAT, duty, and local admin charges requested from your customer before delivery which means they either think it is a scam or will refuse the parcel based on the additional costs. Our bespoke customs clearance solutions for EU parcels means that your EU customers will never be asked for VAT, duty, or admin charges before delivery. Please Contact us and we’ll explain how this works.

How long does it take for my parcels to be delivered across the EU?: We have recently enhanced and upgraded our operations, and it now takes around 2 to 5 days from when we receive your parcel to delivery. Generally, the closer to the UK the destination country is, the quicker it will be. Remote EU areas can take up to 7 days.

Is SAMOS a parcel broker, or does SAMOS use any other parcel delivery service as part of the EU parcel delivery service?: SAMOS is not a parcel broker. We do not use any other UK or international parcel carrier to export parcels into the EU from the UK, we do this ourselves.

Why is SAMOS able to successfully clear EU customs and deliver parcels into the EU whereas my current well-known parcel carrier has problems?: Most of the large well known parcel delivery companies developed their European parcel delivery networks on borderless trade between the UK and the EU. Brexit was a very big and sudden shock. Their cumbersome parcel routing and customs clearance processes have been unable to quickly adapt to the real-life requirements of e-commerce businesses in the UK. SAMOS is small and agile enough to understand that smaller UK e-commerce business need a solution that is above all simple and effective. This is why SAMOS devleoped an entirely new clearance and EU parcel distribution model that properly deals with VAT and customs issues.

Does SAMOS deliver parcels to businesses (B2B) across the EU?: No, but we may develop this in the future. Our focus is e-commerce B2C shipping.

How much does the SAMOS EU parcel delivery service cost?: You’ll be surprised to see that it is a lot cheaper than many of the well-known multi-national mail or parcel delivery companies. You can view our EU parcel tariff or use the quote calculator on our homepage Please note, that the published rates are what you pay. There are no other surcharges. There is no UK sales VAT on international parcel shipping.

Can I trial the SAMOS EU parcel delivery service?: Yes, we are more than happy for you to test our services. You can start here and we’ll get you set up for a trial.