UK and EU compliance guides for overseas brands

Practical guides for brands based outside the UK and EU that want to sell there. Each one answers a question we hear on assessment calls, explains the rules that apply and links to the official guidance. They are reviewed whenever the rules change.

VAT, customs and importing

• How long UK VAT registration takes for overseas sellers: the stages, what slows HMRC down and what to do while you wait.
• Importer of record, EORI and customs: who does what when you ship stock into the UK, and what holds shipments up at the border.

Product compliance and labelling

• Selling US dietary supplements in the UK: what changes from a US label, from Supplement Facts to claims and novel foods.
• Selling cosmetics in the UK: the UK Responsible Person, product information file, notification and labels.
• Importing pet food and dog treats into the UK: who takes responsibility, what goes on the label and the controls on animal products.
• UKCA vs CE marking: whether CE-marked products can be sold in Great Britain, the exceptions and Northern Ireland.
• Packaging changes for the UK and EU: when over-stickers and inserts are allowed, and how multilingual EU labels work.
• Selling electronics in the UK and EU: CE and UKCA, the UK plug rule, WEEE, batteries and connected device security.
• Selling cleaning products in the UK and EU: hazard labels, UFI codes, detergent rules and germ-killing claims.

Representation and switching provider

• Switching your UK or EU Responsible Person or VAT agent: how a switch works, what happens to labelled stock and how to time it.
• Do you need an EU Responsible Person?: GPSR for overseas brands on Amazon and beyond, and what goes on the product and listing.

Can't find your question?

Book a free 30-minute assessment and we will tell you what applies to your products, or start with a free readiness check.

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