EU eCommerce Directive Requirements for Online Businesses

If you conduct e-commerce activities in the European Union (EU) or the European Economic Area (EEA), please note that you are required to comply with the EU eCommerce Directive as implemented by various EU member nations. This Directive aims to protect consumers when shopping online. It affects transactions between businesses and their online customers in the EU and EEA. Failure to comply with these requirements may result in, among other things, fines and sanction, or your being ordered by government authorities to close your online business.

We wish to inform you of your obligation to comply with the eCommerce requirements under applicable laws and regulations. However, please note that we do not provide legal advice with respect to these requirements.

Here are some key tips:

• Customers in the EU have 14 calendar days to cancel a purchase. If your customers are not informed of their 14-day cancellation before payment, the cancellation period is extended to one year. You can provide this Return Policy notice through the use of our Return Policy field, found under the General section of Settings in your Store tab. This will display the policy on your store’s checkout page, ensuring any shoppers can see it.

• You must refund your customers within 14 calendar days of cancellation.

• You must provide full price transparency. Show your customers the total cost of their purchases.

• You may not provide any pre-ticked boxes or default options for additional goods or services.

• At the time of sale, you must state clearly and prominently who will be responsible for the cost of returning the items.

• You must deliver goods without undue delay and within 30 calendar days of the contract being entered into.