Fact sheets / White paper

For the fifth time in a row, the Händlerbund Study: Satisfaction in Online Trade shows developments in online retailing. Around 726 stationary and online retailers provide information about their sales developments, expectations and challenges in the daily online business.

For the fourth time in a row, the Händlerbund asked traders about the expectations and experiences in the Christmas business. The infographic shows all the results of the most important seasonal business of the year.

the mini-guide to the new legal situation regarding packaging that will apply from 01.01.2019.

The FAQ informs you about the new legal situation regarding packaging that will apply from 01.01.2019.

In order to make it easier for merchants to enter the Italian online market, the Händlerbund has summarised the most important regulations and aspects in a corresponding white paper.

Germany is one of the most attractive e-commerce markets in Europe. The whitepaper informs you about important topics such as law, logistics, payment, marketplaces, social media, mobile and cross-border e-commerce in Germany.

The Händlerbund surveyed more than 500 online retailers on the subject of shipping. Many smaller retailers handle large order quantities and place more value on reliability than on costs. All results of the study are presented in clear graphics.

The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) entered on 25 May 2018 into force - and with it the uncertainties. Our "How To" guide informs you about all important innovations so that you, as an online retailer, are prepared for the implementation of the legal regulations.

The Händlerbund has asked several hundred online retailers about their knowledge of the GDPR. In two studies in August and December 2017, five simple questions were put to those affected by the new General Data Protection Regulation. The graphic shows what has been done so far during the implementation.

In our Fact Sheet you will find all relevant information for the correct presentation of the labelling of chemical substances and mixtures in the online shop.

According to Section 9 (1) BattG, every distributor of batteries is obliged to take back waste batteries from the end user at or in the immediate vicinity of the point of sale free of charge.

In February 2018 there will be a change in the General Business Terms and Conditions regarding the sub-licensing of image rights to eBay. Our fact sheet provides extensive information for commercial sellers.

The German Electrical and Electronic Equipment Act (Elektrogesetz (in German), ElektroG) came into force on 24 October 2015. See all facts here.

Spain's e-commerce industry is burgeoning and chances for cross-border trade are growing. Our white paper provides tips and characteristics for entering the Spanish market.

China is the world's largest e-commerce market, but also amongst the most complex and hardest to do business in. With this white paper, Händlerbund and Azoya provide an overview of what retailers should consider when expanding their online business to China.

With the Consumer Rights Directive – CRD a new revocation policy came into effect. This fact sheet provides a detailed overview.

According to the Consumer Rights Directive – CRD, a company can make it possible for consumers to fill in and send a model withdrawal form or other declarations of withdrawal on their websites.

You have received legal texts for your Amazon shop (Marketplace) from us. The following instructions are intended to help you to correctly implement the legal texts in your Amazon account.

Many retailers use the reach of large platforms and sell their products on marketplaces. Legal stumbling blocks that occur when selling on Amazon & Co. have been clearly summarized in the infographic by Händlerbund.

In principle, the consent of the addressee is required. Such consent shall be subject to certain requirements when requested in electronic form.

With regard to current discussions at the national and European-global levels, Händlerbund e.V. presents its position on the issues surrounding value added tax.

Within the European Union a high level of consumer protection in distance contracts or off-premises contracts is in effect. Therefore, numerous information requirements have to be provided by traders prior to the conclusion of consumer contracts, which are distance contracts.

Trade with legal certainty in online marketplaces - Checklist.

Special offers are goods or prices marked as “individual goods”, whereby the quantity is not important.

In the information sheet, we show how commercial traders can update their legal texts on eBay, without the need to set up their promotions again.

You received legal texts from us for your eBay shop in PDF or Word formats. The following instructions will help you to correctly setup the legal texts on your eBay account.

What are the new information requirements? Who is affected by the new information requirements? These and further questions are addressed in our FAQ on Alternative Dispute Resolution (ODR - Online Dispute Resolution).

Information on the correct basic price information in online shops.

If goods come back damaged to the online trader, the question of a compensation arises. We explain whether the customer has to provide compensation and to what amount.

We explain what to take into account when selling new and second-hand goods.

The jurisdiction requires online traders, who advertise and offer goods in the B2B sector, to take all reasonable measures to avoid participation of consumers!

Add “incl. VAT, plus shipping” to all prices, unless you address your offers only to traders (see Fact Sheet “Set-up of a B2B shop”).

The warranty or liability for defects determines legal consequences and claims to which the buyer is entitled in the context of a contract of sale where the seller has delivered defective goods.

Right of withdrawal in e-commerce – we clarify frequently asked questions.

The Fact Sheet shall provide information on indication of shipping costs in an online shop. The following points are explained: no indication of insured or uninsured shipping; no shipping costs on request; indication of shipping costs already next to the item; shipping costs calculated by weight. Furthermore, this Fact Sheet also addresses the indication of payment conditions.

In this Fact Sheet, we provide tips and tricks for optimising FAQs and help pages and we will explain the 10 most frequent mistakes on FAQ and help pages.

This fact sheet provides a short overview on the general duties and laws online traders must obey in Germany.