Sell commercially on eBay
If you sell on eBay on a large scale, it usually boils down to a commercial trade. This fact gives rise to various obligations that you have towards offices and authorities, but also towards your customers. In any case, you should inform yourself as comprehensively as possible, for example about the labeling requirements of the goods you offer.
Before you sell on eBay as a dealer
- You need a trade license, which you can get from your municipality for a small fee (sometimes well below 100 euros).
- You have to report the business to the tax office.
- If your sales exceed certain limits, you are subject to sales tax. You can find out the current values from your tax office. If the sales are below this limit, you can take advantage of the so-called small business regulation. You are then not allowed to show any VAT on your offers (not even "including VAT", since it does not contain any).
- You also have to pay an IHK contribution and trade tax from a certain turnover.
- As a commercial seller, you must identify your eBay account accordingly.
- Your buyers have a right of withdrawal after the purchase, about which they must be informed in a very specific way - one of the biggest warning traps. However, eBay now offers sample cancellation instructions that you have to adapt to your specific circumstances.
- If you are self-employed full-time, you have to take out private health insurance. Check with your insurance agent about the tariffs.
eBay - from when you have to register commercially
Sales on ebay are very popular. But be careful: sell ...
Commercial salespeople have innumerable duties
- If you sell as a dealer, then - in contrast to private sellers - you will be reimbursed if the shipment is lost of the purchase price, unless you can prove the shipment by means of parcel tracking or registered receipt can.
- Internet trading is subject to strict competition law regulations. For example, you are not allowed to advertise that you only send goods insured, as you are liable in the event of loss anyway.
- Many goods are subject to labeling requirements, for example children's toys and electrical appliances. Find out all you need to know about the regulations to be followed when selling such goods.
- Make sure that your imprint is completely imprint. Even the tiniest little thing must not be incorrectly stated or missing. First names have to be written out in full at retailers, for example. B. Meier is not enough.
- Pay attention when using foreign texts and pictures on the copyright, even and especially if the data comes from the manufacturer of the goods. It is best to have written confirmation that you are allowed to use the data.
As a commercial seller, you have some obligations as you can see. In order to avoid a warning, always keep yourself up to date on the current legal situation. the IT law firm offers up-to-date information about warnings.
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