14 April 2021

We believe it is important that our customers do not experience disruption to their business with us, or for there to be impact on their customers as a result of the changes to customs arrangements brought about by Brexit. We have therefore put in place arrangements to mitigate against possible delays due to possible port delays and COVID-19 related disruption and to ensure continuity of supply for our customers and authors in the UK, the EU and the rest of the world.

We believe that there is still some risk of disruption to shipment of goods (including books) between the UK and EU because of the new customs arrangements in place and the need for shippers to provide the necessary documentation.

What arrangements have we put in place?

To minimize impacts on our customers, we have contracted with PrintForce, a major printer in the Netherlands. Printforce are holding stock of bestselling Sage titles and are able to supply local printing in continental Europe.

There is minimal impact on delivery times or shipping costs. Invoicing is substantially the same. Payment processes, returns processes and policies, and the supply of product data via ONIX feeds remain unchanged.

What should you do now?

  1. You should continue to place your orders with Sage by whatever method you normally use. This includes consolidation of Sage orders, PubEasy, and EDI orders.

  2. Depending on your VAT status, VAT may be charged, and we can advise on this on a case-by-case basis. You should provide us with your VAT number, if you have one. Please also provide us with your EORI number.

  3. If you currently have orders shipped to you via a UK-based shipper, and want to continue to receive your orders in this way (via a forwarder), please provide us with details of a Netherlands-based freight forwarder to whom we can ship. If you do not have a nominated shipping agent in the Netherlands, your orders will be supplied direct from us to your UK forwarder as usual. 

If you have any questions on this, please contact your usual Sage Sales Manager or: brexit.questions@sagepub.co.uk

Thank you for your continuing business with Sage.

Brexit FAQs for Customers in the EU and Continental Europe

What is Sage doing in response to Brexit?

We have implemented a system to ensure continued smooth supply  to the EU and Continental Europe from 1st January 2021. The processes in place are planned to ensure supply for the first six months and have been developed as a contingency to cope with the probability that supply is disrupted at UK and EU ports. We will keep the situation under constant review and keep customers informed as circumstances change.

Ordering Sage books

You should continue to order books in your normal way. Brexit does not affect the ordering process.

Delivery of books for EU and other continental European Customers

Books ordered for shipping to EU countries or other countries in Continental Europe* will be printed and dispatched within the EU. We have made arrangements for Local Printing in Europe with PrintForce in the Netherlands. We do not anticipate any difference in supply.

 *This advice covers the EU and all countries that fall within the Royal Mail definition of Europe: https://www.royalmail.com/europe

Can orders still be consolidated?

Consolidation of orders will continue to be done in the normal way via our fulfilment system.

Will local printing in Europe be able to cope with the increased volumes of orders as a result of Brexit?

We have been working with PrintForce on our planning since 2018 and we are confident that they have more than enough capacity.

Will there be changes to speed of delivery?

We do not anticipate any significant changes to overall delivery times. We are confident that the Local Printing in Europe solution is much better than trusting that UK ports and customs will be functioning perfectly.  

Will dispatch costs change?

We do not currently envisage any changes to postal charges to customers as a result of books being supplied from the Netherlands, however we may pass on any increases which are being applied globally.

How will Library suppliers’ orders be treated?

These will be treated in the same way as other orders.

What about VAT?

Depending on your VAT status, VAT may be charged, and we can advise on this on a case-by-case basis. Please provide us with your VAT number to orders@sagepub.co.uk

Customers supplied from Sage’s Local Printing in Europe operation will be invoiced using Sage’s Netherlands VAT registration, as set out below:

  • Sales to VAT registered customers in the Netherlands: VAT will be reverse charged.

  • Sales to VAT registered customers in the EU: 0% Dutch VAT to be charged.

  • Sales to non-VAT registered customers in the Netherlands and EU: 9% Dutch VAT charged.

  • Sales to European customers outside of the EU: 0% Dutch VAT to be charged.

Please also provide us with your EORI number.

What about PubEasy and EDI orders?

These will continue operate exactly as before.

What about ONIX Feeds?

These will not be affected.

What about returns?

These should continue to be sent to our warehouse in Peterborough using your current returns procedure. 

What if we have specific order requirements?

Please discuss these with your Sage Sales Manager. Please recognise though, that we have made these preparations to ensure supply in a situation in which shipping and customs disruption between the UK and EU may be severe but is not expected to be long-term.

What about customers that use shippers?

If you use a freight forwarder in the UK, we might have already asked you to nominate a freight forwarder in the Netherlands.  If you have not already done this, please supply the details of your shipping agent in the Netherlands to orders@sagepub.co.uk . If you do not have a nominated shipping agent in the Netherlands, your orders will be supplied direct from us to your UK forwarder as usual. 

Will customers be kept updated if circumstances change?

Yes, we will keep customers informed. Please contact your usual sales representative. We will update these FAQs in response to questions we receive.