The Challenges of Trading into Europe from the UK – GFS & Infinity Nation Podcast

The conversation opens with the impact of January 2021 border changes which ended decades of borderless trade. Bobby explains how new customs requirements, harmonisation codes and documentation created immediate disruption, causing delays, parcel returns and frustrated customers. The late confirmation of Brexit rules left many businesses unprepared, with 47% either halting or reducing EU trade.

They discuss the additional complexity brought by the July 2021 EU VAT reforms which removed the €22 minimum threshold, making all goods subject to VAT in the buyer’s country. For multi-country sellers, this meant multiple VAT registrations and returns, creating significant administrative strain.
Bobby outlines solutions such as moving fulfilment into the EU for larger retailers and leveraging the Import One Stop Shop (IOSS) scheme for VAT simplification. With IOSS, sellers register in one EU country, submit a single monthly VAT return and ensure parcels clear customs without surprise charges for customers.

They emphasise the importance of transparent pricing at checkout, selecting carriers that support IOSS and ensuring technology is in place to calculate VAT dynamically. Bobby highlights that GFS can bundle all IOSS services, technology and carrier options under one roof to help businesses navigate EU trade smoothly.

The episode closes with practical advice: UK eCommerce sellers should not ignore the EU market, as it remains one of the UK’s largest trading partners. With the right systems and partners, overcoming post-Brexit trade challenges is achievable, profitable and essential for growth!