Elsevier NL Warehouse change FAQs

In the wake of Brexit, as a short-term measure, Elsevier decided to open a warehouse in the Netherlands to minimise any disruption to services to customers in the EU.

Elsevier will be closing the Netherlands warehouse on 1 April 2024.

12 March 2024

Opening the warehouse in the Netherlands was always a short-term solution. We intended to return to shipping out of the UK when trading relations between the UK and EU normalized.

B2B Customers with shipping arrangements with other publishers

If you are a B2B customer that has shipping arrangements with other publishers out of the UK, we recommend you add Elsevier goods to those shipments. Please ensure you make the necessary arrangements before 15 February.

B2B customers with no existing shipping arrangements with other publishers

If you do not have a shipper, Elsevier will deliver direct to you through our transportation services with DHL Express. Elsevier will pay duty tax and will declare VAT upon entry. You can see how your shipping costs will be impacted via this calculator.

Yes. Elsevier will support you with this change by ensuring that our invoicing systems are updated with your correct VAT and shipping details. As part of our initial communication, you were provided with a link to a questionnaire set up to collect the required information.

Please email the following details to [email protected] with a subject line New EU warehouse- shipping details

1. Customer EORI [Economic Operators' Registration and Identification number]
2. VAT registration number
3. Contact name & email address for orders and invoicing enquiries
4. Shipper details
5. UK shipper address
6. UK shipper contact name
7. UK shipper email address

Ensure that Elsevier have the correct information on your account to avoid invoicing and delivery delays by, 15 February 2024. We have asked you to provide the necessary information, as per our question above, "I cannot find the link to the survey to provide you with the information / The link does not work. What should I do?"

Provide instructions to your shipper if you require Elsevier goods to be shipped on a particular day of the week.

All backorders and dues will automatically switch over to Hachette distribution.

There will be no changes to your Elsevier account number and the way you are invoiced.

There will be no changes to your customer services contact.

There are no changes to PubEasy ordering process.

There are no changes to your invoicing and payment process.

There is no change to POD fulfilment.

For Pallets arriving at your shipper: Each shipment will be identified by an ASN number (which begins with "G" followed by 7 digits) which is provided on the label on the outside of the carton and on the booking request sent to your shipper; For Pallets/ parcels arriving direct: In addition to ASN, Elsevier invoice number is always quoted on the paperwork, which you can match with the despatch notification email you receive from Elsevier fulfilment system. ASN = Advance Shipment Notification.

Pricing information will not be part of paperwork sent along with the books, unless a commercial invoice is required for customs purposes, which then will include the value paid.

Elsevier returns policy and procedures remain unchanged. As usual, customers should provide the invoice number for returned books and must quote the Return Authorisation Number on the paperwork sent along with the returned goods.

Return hub address:

IBS Logistics GmbH & Co. KG
Benzstraße 21
48619 Heek

Effective March 18th, 2024 returns are being handled by IBS.

You must notify your shipper that customs invoice will not be attached to the consignment, instead customs invoice will be emailed to the shipper contact. Change of shipper/shipper contact details should be sent to the following email IDs.

Europe, Middle East and Africa customers contact [email protected];

South Asia customers contact [email protected] 

Elsevier has set up a hub in the EU to send returns to. The new EU returns address is:

IBS Logistics GmbH & Co. KG
Benzstraße 21
48619 Heek

Effective March 18th, 2024 returns are being handled by IBS.

There is no change to returns policy.

Key changes for your shipments:

1. Cartons display Hachette distribution logo; Elsevier shipments can be identified by the Elsevier Logo on packing list.
2. If you already receive shipments from Hachette distribution, Elsevier goods will be combined with other deliveries. You will also receive advance booking with pallet content report to clearly identify Elsevier goods.
3. Elsevier Invoice PDF copies will no longer be attached to the shipment.
4. The shipment will contain all necessary paperwork and barcode for you/your shipper to identify your order as well as details on contents of the shipment.
5. Parcel deliveries: carton contents list inside each carton + Customs invoice information uploaded on carrier portal – NO PHYSICAL INVOICE COPY ON PARCEL.
6. Pallet deliveries: Pallet label per pallet + Pallet contents list attached outside

For further detail, see these slides with examples of the above points