Did you know a whopping 66% of Austria’s population shopped at least one product online in the year 2021? Every second, an international purchase comes in from Austria.
For a UK-based company that is looking tor reach more customers, this European Union country makes for a promising choice.
The prime consumer categories for online purchases include apparel, media, and electronics, toys, hobby, and do-it-your-self items.
If you are looking to serve customers in Austria, or are an ecommerce business keen on expanding to a new country, updating yourself with shipping rules and procedures is a must.
Here is a guide to help you bridge that gap and plan international shipping to Austria.
Cost & delivery speeds for shipping to Austria from the UK
Are you a business that prides itself in delivering goods fast? Or are you one that is looking for cost-effective options and is comfortable with flexible delivery timelines?
For an effective shipping strategy, it is essential to choose a courier that fits your shipping needs. It is also important to make yourself aware of the many shipping options. Royal Mail, FedEx, UPS, Hermes, Parcelforce, and DPD are amongst the best couriers available that ship to Austria and offer a variety of options.
The rates shown below have been calculated using each courier’s calculators for a standard example of a 2 kg package with a declared value of 50 GBP in February 2022. Actual prices may change.
Note: These are general options for consumers shipping orders. To know what ShipBob offers when shipping to other countries like Austria, please request a quote here.
ShipBob’s exact rates for customers will vary as we charge an all-in ‘total fulfilment cost’ that includes picking, packing, and shipping, among other factors.
| Service | Price* | Delivery Time | |
| Royal Mail | International Tracked | £13.46 | 3-5 business days |
| Royal Mail | International Tracked and Signed | £14.95 | 3-5 business days |
| UPS | Express | £30.49 | 1 business day |
| UPS | Express Saver | £21.49 | 1 business day |
| UPS | Standard | £15.19 | 3-5 business days |
| FedEx | International Priority Express | £123.56 | 1 business day |
| FedEx | International Priority | £117.56 | 1 business day |
| FedEx | International Economy | £118.45 | 5 business days |
| Parcelforce Worldwide | globalexpress | £81.54 | 1+ business day |
| Parcelforce Worldwide | globalpriority | £47.55 | 3+ business day |
| Parcelforce Worldwide | globalvalue | £42.55 | 5+ business days |
| DPD local | Classic | £20.11 | 3-6 business days |
| DPD local | Air Classic | £51.37 | 4 business days |
| DPD local | Air Express | £56.46 | 2 business days |
How to choose a shipping courier
International shipping comes with many challenges. To choose the right shipping courier for your needs, it’s good practice to assess the merits and demerits of key players.
Besides shipping rates and transit times, there are other courier services you will want to keep in mind, including reliable order tracking, pick-up options, and more.
Here is a compiled list of the pros and cons of the top six international shipping couriers. This should be useful in helping you evaluate and find one that suits your needs best.
- Shipment weight capped at a maximum of 30 kg
- Drop off options to post offices are capped at 20 kg
- Shipping costs and surcharges levied are higher
- Pick-up service is more expensive
Couriers | Pros | Cons |
| Royal Mail |
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| UPS |
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| FedEx |
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| DPD |
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| Parcelforce |
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Shipping to Austria from the UK with Royal Mail
Royal Mail Group is one of the oldest organizations in the world with a history of over 500 years. With operations in 40+ countries including Austria and their large ‘feet on the street’ network of over 85000 people, Royal Mail is the UK’s most trusted and preferred courier.
International Tracked and Signed is its fastest shipping option which aims to deliver across Europe within 3-5 business days. The service comes with full trackability and free returns for undelivered items.
On the other hand, International Economy is its cheapest option but delivery timelines could range from 2-5 weeks within Europe.
When to use Royal Mail to ship from the UK to Austria
Choose Royal Mail when you want to ship lighter packages of up to 2 kg and are in need of more affordable choices. For packages heavier than 2 kg, Parcelforce Worldwide in their group network can be used.
Even its most expensive shipping option is significantly cheaper than other key players for similar requirements.
This makes it a suitable choice for those looking for cost-effective solutions and have lighter packages to ship.
Shipping to Austria from the UK with UPS
UPS first entered Europe in 1976 and since then it has developed a comprehensive service portfolio. This global leader in logistics offers a range of transportation solutions and ships to 220+ countries.
A dedicated platform for small businesses, flat rate shipping, Saturday deliveries, customs support, and time guaranteed deliveries are all reasons for an ecommerce business to trust UPS with shipments to Austria.
When to use UPS to ship from the UK to Austria
UPS Express and UPS Express Saver both deliver the next business day to Austria from the United Kingdom.
The difference being Express offers guaranteed morning delivery and comes with in-house customs support, while Express Saver offers during the day delivery.
For the more cost-effective shipper, UPS Standard offers day-definite deliveries within 3-5 business days.
UPS also offers flat rate shipping options to small businesses for packages up to 70 kg.
It could therefore be a good choice for an ecommerce business that ships heavy packages, requires increased customs support, and wants a reliable and speedy delivery partner.
Shipping to Austria from the UK with FedEx
FedEx has been operating in Europe for 35+ years now. With the world’s largest air express network and a vast European road network, this global leader makes for a reliable choice.
It ships to over 220 countries internationally, of which Austria is one.
There are tools provided for businesses such as the FedEx Ship Manager that can help in the shipping process.
Such tools can be used for a range of things, from getting rates and transit times to custom documentation submission and package tracking, etc.
When to use FedEx to ship from the UK to Austria
As an ecommerce player or as someone sending a personal package, if your need is to deliver fast and within defined time slots, FedEx could be your preferred choice.
It offers many options to ship to Austria from the UK, but FedEx Europe First is the quickest offering with guaranteed delivery between 9 am – 10 am the next business day.
Most of the options offered by FedEx are priced significantly higher compares to other couriers, but you can ship up to 68 kg and get access to next day time defined deliveries.
Shipping to Austria from the UK with DPD
DPD, Europe’s leading parcel group is a trusted name in logistics. It has a variety of international shipping solutions available to send parcels to 200+ countries from the UK.
The company has over 6000 drop-off points in the UK alone. It calls itself the most innovative parcel courier owing to industry-leading services such as Predict and Follow My Parcel.
These services provide increased control to consumers by giving them direct time windows of delivery and also letting them check the progress of parcels down to the last 15 minutes.
DPD is committed to becoming the greenest delivery company with endeavors to build the largest electric fleet in the UK, green packaging, waste management, etc.
When to use DPD to ship from the UK to Austria
If you are someone who needs their shipping requirements to flow throughout the week, DPD could be your preferred partner.
With weekend deliveries, 24/7 customer service support, and a range of delivery options available, DPD makes for a dependable choice.
Also, for an ecommerce business that is environmentally conscious, the green practices that DPD has adopted could be of significant value.
Shipping to Austria from the UK with Parcelforce
Parcelforce Worldwide’s international parcel delivery services span across every continent. This logistics provider was created as a separate parcel function of the Royal Mail group 25+ years ago.
It has a network to deliver across 240 countries and territories and claims to reach 99.6% of the world’s population.
globalexpress is its fastest and most expensive delivery option, promising to reach Austria in 1+ business days. The service comes with end-to-end tracking and protection cover of £200 for loss and damage which can be increased on additional charges.
Meanwhile, globalvalue is the most affordable option from this courier to ship to Austria, the package however may reach within 5-8 working days and comes with a compensation cover of £100.
When to use Parcelforce to ship from the UK to Austria
If you are someone that needs their package deliveries to come with a money-back guarantee, Parcelforce Worldwide could be your preferred courier.
With solutions such as Parcelforce Worldwide Guarantee that allow for refunds for selective international shipping options if the guaranteed delivery time isn’t met, it assures its customers more peace of mind.
They also make Saturday deliveries which could be an added convenience for some ecommerce businesses as well as personal shippers.
Duties & taxes when shipping to Austria from the UK
From July 1, 2021, a standard import Value Added Tax (VAT) is levied on all goods imported into Austria. Any merchandise exported from the UK to Austria other than gifts under the value of £40 (€45) is therefore subject to 20% import VAT.
For personal shippers sending gifts to family, do note that articles shipped directly from ecommerce players marked as gifts are not exempted from duties.
Gifts are considered to be only those articles that are meant for personal use, are sent occasionally, and where the receiver doesn’t pay.
For imported goods under the value of £135 (€150) VAT can be paid through the following options:
Import-One-Stop-Shop (IOSS)
It’s a portal for UK/EU businesses that allows their EU customers to pay the local VAT at checkout rather than at the point of import.
IOSS can only be used for goods up to the value of £135 (€150). For goods priced higher, the recipient will need to pay applicable import VAT, customs duty, or excise tax directly prior to delivery.
Registering for IOSS requires appointing an intermediary like Deloitte, Taxamo, etc. that will submit for you the VAT returns specific to each EU country and make duly payments on a monthly basis.
The formula to calculate final cost devoid of customs duty and excise tax is
Value of Item + Shipping Cost x VAT Rate of Destination Country (20% for Austria)
To put into effect the IOSS system all you need to do is mention your IOSS registration number on the pre-advice to your courier along with customs documents.
Online Marketplaces
If you are a business selling through online marketplaces like Etsy etc. The marketplace is now responsible for VAT collection on goods sold to EU customers by you for goods up to a value of £135 (€150).
Delivery Duties Unpaid (DDU)
The duties and customs for articles that are not covered under the IOSS system will have to be paid by the recipient prior to delivery or at the point of import.
Excise duties are levied on all excise goods such as tobacco and tobacco products, perfumes, and eau de toilette or alcoholic products even if the value of these products is less than £135 (€150). In such cases, applicable customs duty and import VAT are also charged.
Austria customs information
There is no additional customs duty levied on goods shipped from the UK to Austria up to the value of £135 (€150). But, goods over the value of £135 (€150) may attract customs duty over and above the VAT.
These duties are highly variable and dependent on the goods themselves, the value, and the country of origin.
The postal service advances the duties for consignments once collected from recipients and also charges a fee for the same.
Also, an Economic Operator’s Registration and Identification (EORI) number is required to ship between the UK and Austria. This is also to be stated on documents for customs clearance process communication.
To know more about Austria’s customs norms and processes please visit the official website.
Prohibited items when shipping to Austria
Like every country, Austria also prohibits some items from being imported. When shipping to Austria, it is advised to review these items and avoid hold-ups.
Over and above the country prohibitions most couriers have an exhaustive list of prohibited and restricted items they do not ship. For a shipper looking to use such services, it is best to review the information prior to dispatch.
Given here are some of the prohibited items for shipping to Austria:
Items you can’t ship to Austria from the UK |
| Tobacco products |
| Medicine, including herbal, supplements, and homeopathic |
| Drugs |
| Pornography |
| Protected animals and plants, plus products derived from |
What ecommerce businesses need to know about shipping to Austria
Austria was ranked first in the World Bank’s Doing Business Report (2020) on “trading across borders.”
Ecommerce channels have contributed to 14% of the total retail spending by private households in the year 2020 in this Central European country. The average online shopper spent $2,200 per annum the same year.
Not just this, Austrian customers have shown a proclivity for international ecommerce companies and also are fairly proficient in the English language. For a UK business looking to expand its European footprint, these information points are a sure draw.
Read on to find more such insights to help you further your business.
1. Price your products for a wealthy market
Before a business decides on its pricing strategy for Austria, it is important for it to understand Austrian consumers’ propensity to spend. Austria ranks high on both cost of living and comparative price levels vis-à-vis its European Union counterparts.
Austria’s labour cost is ranked 7th highest in the EU at $41.91 per hour. Most Austrians generally enjoy a comfortable lifestyle owing to higher salaries and public infrastructure.
Another important factor in deciding product pricing is the prevalent tax framework. In Austria, value-added tax (VAT) is charged at retail on most products and services at 20%.
However, products like books, newspapers, food products, and some pharmaceuticals attract only 10% VAT. There are also special taxes levied on luxury goods, fuel, tobacco, etc.
Keep these factors in consideration before you put together the pricing plan.
2. Build a robust product returns framework
As per the Austrian Retail Association, about 40% of ecommerce shoppers return at least some of the merchandise ordered. This is led by apparel buyers with a 47% return rate.
While this may seem daunting, you can use this knowledge to build a thorough returns policy and choose the right courier that makes returns a smooth process for your business.
3. Develop strong after-sales support
As in most developed economies, Austrian customers demand a high level of after-sales support. Build channels that enable timely service and have maintenance capacities.
Be sure to choose partners that can assist in replacement part warehousing and service factors.
4. Tread carefully on direct marketing
Most forms of direct marketing are prohibited by Austrian Law unless there is prior explicit consent from the receiver’s end. Consumers who have consented can also withdraw their approval at any time.
All electronic communications are expected to reflect options for opting-out and must show the sender’s identity.
Given such stringent norms around direct marketing, it is best to stay updated on EU regulations and data protection policies prior to initiating any such campaigns.
You can check the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) that processes EEA citizens’ personal data and the Austrian Regulatory Authority for Broadcasting and Telecommunications website for more details.
Outsource shipping and logistics to a 3PL like ShipBob
To offer customers across the world a remarkable brand experience, consider partnering with an international 3PL like ShipBob.
Selling internationally can be challenging, time-consuming, and costly. But with ShipBob, you’re given everything you need to serve customers across the globe while saving time on logistics.
We not only take care of picking, packing, and shipping your orders to Austria, we also offer upfront fulfilment costs that include customs, duties, and additional taxes.
By partnering with ShipBob, you eliminate the need to manage retail fulfilment, logistics operations, and hire labour.
The best part about partnering with ShipBob is you get time back to focus on more strategic initiatives, such as customer service and marketing.
“The UK is our home base, and all the customers we ship to are in the UK. We spoke to some classical, British-owned fulfilment companies in our search, but ShipBob turned out to be perfect for us. W
e had no concerns about ShipBob’s HQ being in the US — if anything, it was more of a positive! ShipBob has done incredibly well in the US, and their track record reassured us that we can grow together with ShipBob as it ramps up its international operations.”
Adelina Zotta & Connor Westby, Co-Founders of NutriPaw
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Shipping to Austria FAQs
Here are answers to some of the most common questions about shipping from the UK to Austria.
What’s the cheapest way to ship to Austria from the UK?
Royal Mail’s International Tracked is one of the cheapest options to ship to Austria from the UK. The shipment delivery timeline is placed within 3-5 business days.
But this service can only be used for packages weighing up to 2 kg.
What’s the cheapest way to ship large packages to Austria from the UK?
UPS offers affordable flat-rate box shipping options for packages of up to 70 kg to Austria from the UK with delivery options within 1-3 business days from shipping.
What’s the fastest way to ship a package to Austria from the UK?
FedEx’s Europe First is the fastest option to ship that promises to deliver your package by the next business day between 9 am – 10 am.
Do I have to pay customs duties and fees when shipping to Austria from the UK?
No customs duty is charged on goods of up to £135 (€150) coming to Austria from the UK. But, a standard import VAT of 20% is levied on all goods imported to Austria under the value of £135 (€150).
For goods over the value of £135 (€150), in additon to the import VAT, customs duty is also levied.
The customs duty applicable depends on the goods itself, the origin country, and its value. Irrespective of the invoice value, permissible excise goods attract custom duties and taxes.
What’s the easiest way to ship something to Austria from the UK?
When shipping to Austia from the UK, choose Royal Mail for it has a vast footprint in the United Kingdom.
With over 14000+ drop-off locations including post office branches, customer service points, and 24/7 parcel post-boxes and parcel collect options, it makes for a convenient choice.
