EU Market Access
Importing goods, paying customs and VAT is not enough when selling B2C in Europe. At least, all 27 EU countries know addtional responsibilities for manufacturers and importer. The European Union is a customs club. But further more, the European Union is a whole market regime. This regimes defines trade rules and environmental standards. Some of them are directly enforced by the EU, some of them are controlled by the national governments. In this multi-level setup of rules, the EU defines a minimum.
There are extended producers responsibilities (EPR) in all EU countries, e.g. for product packaging and shipping packaging. But there may country specific thresholds. And the administrative procedures differ at lot. Administrative requirements can be a real trade barrierer. It takes time, knowledge and money to tear down these barrieres. Here our work kicks in.
Our aims is to provide clear, transparent and affordable solutions for each layer of compliance to European and National market rules. We offer One-Stop-Shop-Solution for the whole process of accessing a new market. We setup and maintain solution to keep the door open to newly developed markets for your products. We can offer the whole chain of requirement: from VAT registration to waste reporting. And finally, we can cancel your accounts at authorites, disposal system participant and other service providers.
Below you will find a list of affordnaces. From top to down, less traders will have to deall with the topics. Value added tax, customs and packaging disposal will effect every trader that selss B2C. EPR is product-specifc, e.g. for electronics.
CE Marking
CE marking indicates that a product complies with EU safety, health, and environmental protection standards. It must appear on products sold in the EU to ensure consumer safety and streamline market access. The manufacturer or authorized representative is responsible for placing the CE marking. Compliance is crucial for successful entry into EU markets. UKCA is the eqquivalent mark for prodcuts sold in the United Kingdom.
Most of our customers are retailers whose goods already have the CE mark affixed by the manufacturer.
VAT Compliance
When exporting products to final consumers in the EU, UK, or Switzerland, foreign producers and e-merchants must first register for VAT. This registration is mandatory if goods are stored in local warehouses or fulfillment centers and will be sold to consumers. Alternatively, the One Stop Shop (OSS) scheme simplifies VAT reporting, allowing sellers to manage obligations through a single national tax office for multiple EU countries.
Even if a sale is already possible under national law without the VAT ID already being available, this encounters considerable problems in reality and on trading platforms. In fact, a VAT ID must be available before the sale can begin. Depending on national legislation, a fiscal representation or receiving agent residing in the EU must be appointed.
Customs Registration
International e-merchants shipping to the EU should consider customs compliance and EORI registration (Economic Operators Registration and Identification). Freight forwarders typically handle customs declarations and import VAT. Although not mandatory, having your own EORI can facilitate tax deductions and streamline the import process. Note that businesses from non-EU countries may not have an entitlement to EORI issuance.
Packaging Directive
The European Packaging Directive establishes regulations for packaging waste management across EU countries. While there is a shared framework, each country has unique administrative requirements, particularly in Germany. International e-merchants entering the EU market must comply with these local regulations to avoid fines.
EuroTrade Gateway UG (hb) acts as an authorized representative for the German packaging register LUCID and connects clients with disposal system participants, ensuring compliance with the German Packaging Act for reporting, record keeping and recycling obligations. Our partners operate in several EU countries.
Extended Producer Responsibilities
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) in the EU extends beyond mandatory packaging rules to specific products like electronics and batteries. Each country has regulations for waste management under WEEE and for recycling both built-in and supplementary batteries. EuroTrade Gateway partners facilitate compliance by coordinating VAT, packaging, WEEE, and battery reporting, while also offering additional country-specific registrations, including for cosmetics, upon request.
Compliance
Ensure your business complies with European market regulations effortlessly with EuroTrade Gateway UG. From VAT registration to packaging (LUCID), electronics (WEEE), and battery compliance (BattG), our tailored services simplify complex requirements. As your trusted partner, we handle the administrative burdens so you can focus on growth. Contact us today and let us provide the solutions you need to succeed in Germany and the EU!