Case-Study-Beyond-Brexit-with-ePAL-Global
The case study details how a UK‑based aftermarket parts merchant, whose EU sales fell from 40% of revenue to zero after Brexit, partnered with ePAL Global to rebuild cross‑border commerce. The merchant needed to manage import VAT, customs duties, product classification, shipping availability, and customs documentation while presenting a landed‑cost‑compliant price at checkout. ePAL provided an API‑driven orchestration layer that calculates taxes, duties, HS classifications, IOSS eligibility, and shipping options in real time, integrating with the merchant’s custom‑built eCommerce platform. The partnership involved strategic planning, early IOSS registration, data alignment, and iterative learning from live orders. Eight concrete lessons emerged, covering goal‑driven planning, thorough pre‑implementation strategy, comprehensive cost calculation beyond VAT, the disparity between registration timelines and technical integration, the importance of accurate product data and HS codes, handling shipping provider gaps, distinguishing country of origin from dispatch, and the need for a learning‑focused partner that automates rather than patches solutions. The merchant successfully restored EU sales, expanded to Norway, and now has a repeatable, scalable foundation for future growth. The study concludes with a call to action for other merchants facing similar post‑Brexit challenges.
Topics
Brexit‑Induced EU Sales Collapse and Need for Cross‑Border Strategy
Explains how the merchant’s EU sales dropped from 40% to zero after Brexit due to new VAT, customs, and shipping complexities, creating an urgent need for a comprehensive cross‑border solution.