EU Shipping Compliance for Shopify Owners Sending to Switzerland

Are you a Shopify store owner shipping products from the EU to Switzerland? You may be aware of the legal requirement to display a disclaimer about potential additional toll fees on your checkout page. This can be challenging, especially if you don’t have a Shopify Plus account. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore various solutions to help you comply with this regulation without breaking the bank.

Understanding the Requirement

The Legal Obligation

EU-based online shops, particularly those in Germany, are required to show a disclaimer on the final checkout page. This disclaimer must warn customers about potential additional toll fees for shipments leaving the EU, with a specific focus on shipments to Switzerland.

The Checkout Page Challenge

The disclaimer needs to be prominently displayed on the last page of the checkout process, where customers make their final purchase decision. However, editing the checkout page typically requires a Shopify Plus account, which comes with a hefty price tag of $2,000 per month – a cost that’s prohibitive for many merchants.

The Consequences of Non-Compliance

Failing to display this disclaimer can lead to legal issues and customer dissatisfaction. Some merchants have even had to halt orders to Switzerland to avoid potential problems.

Workaround Solutions

1. Leveraging the Cart Page

While you can’t directly edit the checkout page without a Plus account, you can make strategic use of your cart page to inform customers.

Agree to Terms Checkbox

One effective solution is to implement an “Agree to Terms” checkbox on your cart page. Here’s how you can do it:

1. Create a separate page outlining the terms and conditions, including information about potential toll fees.
2. Add a checkbox to your cart page that customers must tick to proceed.
3. Link this checkbox to your terms and conditions page.

This approach ensures that customers are informed before they reach the checkout page.

Using Shopify Apps

There are several Shopify apps available that can help you add custom fields or notifications to your cart page. These apps often provide more flexibility and features than manual solutions.

2. Utilizing Additional Scripts

Shopify provides a built-in feature that allows you to add custom scripts to your checkout process. While this doesn’t appear on the final page, it can still be an effective way to communicate important information.

To use this feature:

1. Go to your Shopify admin panel.
2. Navigate to Settings > Checkout.
3. Look for the “Additional scripts” input box under “Order Processing”.
4. Add your custom message here.

This message will appear on the second-to-last page while customers are entering their shipping information.

3. Shopify’s Built-in Checkout Information Feature

In a more recent update, Shopify has introduced a feature that allows merchants to display important information on the checkout page without requiring a Plus account.

This feature enables you to:

• Display specific information
• Require a confirmation step
• Add terms of service policies
• Include tax information

To access this feature:

1. Go to your Shopify admin.
2. Navigate to Settings > Checkout.
3. Look for the “Order processing” section.
4. Check the box that says “Require a confirmation step”.

Note: This feature may not be available for all stores yet, as it’s being gradually rolled out across the platform.

Best Practices for Implementing Disclaimers

Clear and Concise Language

When crafting your disclaimer, ensure that the language is clear, concise, and easily understandable. Avoid legal jargon that might confuse customers.

Prominent Placement

While you may not be able to place the disclaimer on the final checkout page, ensure that it’s prominently displayed wherever you choose to implement it.

Multilingual Support

If you cater to customers in multiple languages, consider providing the disclaimer in relevant languages to ensure all customers are properly informed.

Regular Updates

Keep your disclaimer up to date with any changes in regulations or shipping policies. Regular reviews and updates will help maintain compliance and customer trust.

Technical Solutions for Advanced Users

For those with technical expertise or access to developers, there are more advanced solutions available.

Custom JavaScript Implementation

You can use JavaScript to display conditional messages based on the selected shipping country. This allows you to show specific disclaimers for shipments to Switzerland or other non-EU countries.

Shopify Flow for Wholesale Customers

For merchants dealing with wholesale customers, Shopify Flow can be used to add custom fields, such as a “Purchase Order Number” field, and tag orders accordingly.

Limitations and Future Developments

It’s important to note that while these workarounds can be effective, they may not fully satisfy the legal requirement of having the disclaimer on the final checkout page. Shopify is aware of this limitation and is working on expanding the availability of checkout customization features to more merchants.

As the e-commerce landscape evolves, we can expect Shopify to continue developing solutions that address these regulatory requirements while maintaining a balance between functionality and affordability for merchants of all sizes.

By implementing one or more of these solutions, you can significantly improve your compliance with EU regulations regarding shipments to Switzerland, even without a Shopify Plus account. Remember to consult with a legal professional to ensure your chosen solution meets all necessary requirements for your specific situation.