Since Britain officially left the European Union (EU), online eCommerce stores and businesses alike have had to adapt to changes in UK fulfilment processes, as tariffs and legislations have changed in the wake of Brexit.
Being aware of changes to import rules and increases to tariffs is crucial, as supply chain disruptions have caused major issues since the post-Brexit period ensued. Having the requisite knowledge is crucial so you know what to consider, so read our guide below for all you need to know about navigating the post-Brexit supply chain.
Brexit and the eCommerce industry
As a result of the protracted political saga and subsequent transition period, Britain’s official exit from the EU was only officially ratified in January 2020. Since then, businesses and trade has been severely impacted by changes in policy and in how business can be done with the continent. Imports, exports and rising tariffs, leading to a severe decline in UK-to-EU exports.
Although there are obvious challenges that have been presented and changed the landscape of eCommerce fulfilment, with the right tips and guidance, you can adapt your operations so that you are in the best position to withstand any adversity in sales from overseas. Experts in the order fulfilment industry can provide the guidance and support needed to help eCommerce retailers transition and understand what’s required.
As much as retailers have had to adapt, fulfilment companies have required adaptation to their offerings, providing a level of agility in their operations in order to meet new requirements. Order fulfilment that provides a degree of flexibility with a multi-approach model will excel, whereas traditional fulfilment methods will soon find they cease to be as effective as those who have reshaped their approach.
Why you’ll have to pay more for parcels from the EU | Money | The Sunday Times (thetimes.co.uk)
It is fundamental for eCommerce retailers to maintain and enhance their customer satisfaction levels, but if existing data and policy is not constantly reviewed by independent retailers, then higher delivery costs may be incurred by customers unexpectedly, thus damaging the reliability and dependability of your operations.
There are many things to factor in and consider, so we’ve compiled a few tips below so that you can stay abreast of any developments and considerations you need to make so that your online store remains unscathed from the impact of Brexit and beyond.
Partner with a trusted order fulfilment centre
Inevitably, there has been a decrease in sales as extra import costs have deterred some consumers from buying goods from the continent, though the decrease has not been as severe as initially feared. Longer shipping times and higher delivery costs are also a mainstay, but by partnering with a trustworthy fulfilment company, who have a reliable reputation globally, you are likely to have greater success in delivering items to the both the EU and the UK, helping you to preserve that all-important customer satisfaction.
Inventory distribution
The benefits of partnering with an order fulfilment centre means you can distribute your inventory across multiple warehouses, both nationally and internationally. As your fulfilment partner will manage your inventory, you can determine which items need to be distributed and from where with ease, minimising any potential delays with customs clearances or shipping issues to customers overseas.
EU fulfilment centres
Sourcing a fulfilment company that has warehouses in the EU can be super beneficial for your eCommerce business.
With locations already based in the EU, bulk-shipping orders from these warehouses can allow you to manage and fulfil your order quickly and maintain your customer satisfaction. Partnering with a fulfilment company like The Storage Place, which has global fulfilment options can simplify this process for you, making it easier for you to integrate your inventories internationally, wherever you are located.