Looking to expand into the EU

Smart Air UK

Free Member
Jul 5, 2023
5
3
Does anyone have experience in appointing a 3rd party logistics company in the EU (thinking Belgium or Netherlands)?

We are looking to expand into the EU with our larger products. Currently, we offer B2C with our smaller range via Royal Mail with the customer paying EU tax at landing. We don't currently ship our larger products as the prices can be astronomical. However we are getting an increasing demand for these from B2B customers that are likely to order in bulk. I have been looking into potential 3PL that can offer:

- VAT deferment
- Fiscal representation
- Pick, pack, and ship services for both B2C and B2B.
- Integration with e-commerce platform for real-time order processing.
- OSS services

We have found it challenging to even get responses from organisations we are contacting and those that do, can't handle the larger items. Any recommendations here are gratefully appreciated
 

Smart Air UK

Free Member
Jul 5, 2023
5
3
Sadly I didn't get a reply but for anyone else in the same position, I tried the Department for Business & Trade (only one warehouse fit our needs and they didn't respond) and Invest in Wallonia. Out of the two, Invest in Wallonia emailed me a list of 8 warehouses that may be able to help. Only one responded but we are happy to go with them.
 
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Ritesh1973

New Member
Feb 18, 2026
3
0
Does anyone have experience in appointing a 3rd party logistics company in the EU (thinking Belgium or Netherlands)?

We are looking to expand into the EU with our larger products. Currently, we offer B2C with our smaller range via Royal Mail with the customer paying EU tax at landing. We don't currently ship our larger products as the prices can be astronomical. However we are getting an increasing demand for these from B2B customers that are likely to order in bulk. I have been looking into potential 3PL that can offer:

- VAT deferment
- Fiscal representation
- Pick, pack, and ship services for both B2C and B2B.
- Integration with e-commerce platform for real-time order processing.
- OSS services

We have found it challenging to even get responses from organisations we are contacting and those that do, can't handle the larger items. Any recommendations here are gratefully appreciated
hi there, what kind of products are we talking about here? we are a UK Co with a branch in NL with full local registration in the EU to import/sell locally in the EU. maybe, we could help?
 
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Invergold

New Member
Business Listing
Apr 18, 2026
5
0
Birmingham
invergold.co.uk
Does anyone have experience in appointing a 3rd party logistics company in the EU (thinking Belgium or Netherlands)?

We are looking to expand into the EU with our larger products. Currently, we offer B2C with our smaller range via Royal Mail with the customer paying EU tax at landing. We don't currently ship our larger products as the prices can be astronomical. However we are getting an increasing demand for these from B2B customers that are likely to order in bulk. I have been looking into potential 3PL that can offer:

- VAT deferment
- Fiscal representation
- Pick, pack, and ship services for both B2C and B2B.
- Integration with e-commerce platform for real-time order processing.
- OSS services

We have found it challenging to even get responses from organisations we are contacting and those that do, can't handle the larger items. Any recommendations here are gratefully appreciated
Great question – and a challenging one. The Benelux region (Belgium/Netherlands) is absolutely the right place to look for EU expansion. Rotterdam and Antwerp are Europe's largest ports with excellent infrastructure .

On the VAT and fiscal side – there are some important changes coming. From 1 January 2026, UK businesses can no longer use limited fiscal representatives in France under Regime 42. For Belgium and the Netherlands, you can still appoint a general fiscal representative to obtain a local VAT number and benefit from VAT deferment (Article 23 in the Netherlands, ET 14000 in Belgium) .


*For 3PLs that handle larger items, look for providers with AEO status (Authorised Economic Operator) – this smoothes border crossings within the EU. The Benelux region has many such providers due to its world-class port infrastructure .*

*Specific 3PLs to consider: GXO operates in the Netherlands (30,000+ sq meters, handles big & bulky) , and KTL Benelux offers 3PL/4PL services from Rotterdam and Antwerp with customs clearance and transport across Europe .*

Also, VAT compliance is the defining challenge here. Storing inventory in any EU member state triggers VAT registration there. The One-Stop Shop (OSS) simplifies cross-border reporting but doesn't eliminate local obligations .

Hope this helps point you in the right direction. Good luck with the expansion.
 
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