If your business is involved in cross-border trade with the European Union, there are two numbers you’re almost guaranteed to encounter: the VAT number and the EORI number. Both are essential for compliance, but they serve entirely different purposes. One is for tax while the other is for customs. Unfortunately, this distinction isn’t always clear. This is especially true if you’re a non-EU seller, a first-time importer, or managing logistics on behalf of clients. At Global T

There is no denying that selling across borders opens up new revenue streams. However, it also exposes your business to a maze of tax rules, deadlines, and reporting obligations. In particular, VAT compliance can become one of the most time consuming and error prone aspects of international trade. Each country may have its own filing frequency, document requirements, and even language barriers when dealing with tax authorities. If you're based outside the EU and plan to sell

If you’re selling products to EU customers from outside the bloc, you’ve likely run into a frustrating web of VAT rules, customs delays, and unexpected fees. Maybe your customers are abandoning shipments at the border. Maybe you're tired of tracking 27 separate VAT requirements. You’re not alone, and you’re not stuck. The Import One Stop Shop (IOSS) is a streamlined VAT solution designed specifically for sellers like you. If you’re shipping goods worth less than €150 to EU bu

Selling to EU customers as a non EU business? You’ve probably heard of the Import One Stop Shop (IOSS). It was introduced by the EU in July 2021 as part of a major VAT reform. The goal? To simplify cross border sales of low value goods (valued at €150 or less) and improve fairness, efficiency, and transparency. Before IOSS, buyers in the EU often faced surprise VAT charges and delays when their packages arrived at customs. Many shipments were even refused due to unexpected fe

Expanding into the European Union (EU) is a major opportunity for online retailers. With 27 countries and over 400 million consumers, it’s one of the world’s most attractive ecommerce markets. However, for many sellers (especially those based outside the EU), compliance is one of the biggest obstacles, and this guide explains how IOSS helps online retailers overcome it. Each EU country has its own VAT rules, rates, and registration systems. If you're shipping goods to custome

Germany stands at the heart of the European Union, both geographically and economically. With over 80 million consumers and a high average purchase value per order, Germany is an essential market for any non EU ecommerce business looking to grow in Europe. The country hosts major Amazon and Zalando fulfillment hubs making it a logistics powerhouse for pan European sellers. If you're shipping goods to customers in Germany from outside the EU (whether from the UK, the US, China

While there are many lucrative markets in the European Union, France stands out as one of the largest and most digitally mature e-commerce markets. With over 50 million active internet users, a high rate of online shopping adoption, and strong logistics infrastructure, it presents an attractive opportunity for global sellers. Major platforms like Amazon, eBay, and Shopify have a significant footprint in the French market. This makes it a natural expansion target for internati

An EORI number is your business’s customs ID for moving goods into and out of the EU and UK. Learn what it is, who needs one, how many you need, and why it matters for smooth customs clearance.