Europe warehousing

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is Europe warehousing and how does it work?

  Europe warehousing means storing your inventory within the EU, typically through a 3PL provider, and fulfilling orders to European customers from that local stock. Rather than shipping internationally for every order, you import in bulk to a central European hub and distribute from there. This reduces per-order shipping costs, speeds up delivery and simplifies customs compliance for non-EU businesses.

• Why should a company outside the EU use European warehousing?

  The main reasons are speed, cost and compliance. Shipping direct from the US, Asia or Australia for every order is slow and expensive. A European warehouse lets you hold stock close to your customers, meet local delivery expectations, handle returns efficiently and manage EU customs in one place rather than order by order.

• What is the best country for a warehouse in Europe?

  The Netherlands is widely considered the most strategic location for Europe warehousing, particularly for companies entering the EU. The combination of the Port of Rotterdam, Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, Article 23 VAT deferment and central road access to Germany, France, Belgium and beyond makes it the preferred Europe warehouse hub for hundreds of international businesses that are looking for a warehouse in Europe.

• How much does an EU warehouse cost?

  Costs for an EU warehouse vary depending on volume, storage type, value-added services and distribution requirements. Most providers charge a combination of storage fees (per pallet or m²), handling fees (inbound and outbound) and any additional services such as kitting or returns management. At Seabourne, we provide tailored quotes based on your specific operation — contact our team for a no-obligation proposal.

• What is a 3PL provider for European warehousing?

  A third-party logistics (3PL) provider manages warehousing, fulfilment and distribution on your behalf. Rather than operating your own warehouse in Europe, you outsource storage, inventory management, order picking, packing and shipping to a specialist partner. An integrated full-service 3PL like Seabourne also handles customs clearance, freight coordination and fiscal representation. Giving you a single point of accountability for your entire European supply chain.

• Do I need to register for VAT in Europe if I use a Europe warehousing service?

  This depends on your trading flows. In many cases, fiscal representation through a Dutch tax representative allows you to import and distribute across the EU without a full VAT registration in every country. Seabourne works with specialist partners to determine the right structure for your situation.

• Do I need a legal entity in the Netherlands to use European warehousing?

  No. Through fiscal representation, Seabourne can act as your VAT and customs representative in the Netherlands, allowing you to import and distribute across the EU without establishing a Dutch company. This is commonly used by businesses based in the US, UK, Asia and Australia entering the European market.

• How does VAT deferment work with Europe warehousing in the Netherlands?

  Under Article 23 of Dutch tax regulations, import VAT is reported in your periodic VAT return rather than paid upfront at the border. For a €500,000 shipment, this can defer a VAT obligation of €105,000, significantly improving cash flow compared to standard import procedures in most other EU countries.

• How quickly can goods be distributed across Europe from the Netherlands?

  From our Hoofddorp and Eindhoven locations, most major European markets are reachable within one to two working days by road. Same-day and next-day delivery options are available within the Netherlands. For international express, we serve 200+ destinations worldwide through our distribution network.

• What types of goods can be stored in your Europe warehousing facilities?

  We handle a wide range of goods, including standard palletised cargo, high-value items, temperature-sensitive products, hazardous materials (ADR) and pharmaceutical goods. Our facilities are AEO-certified and include climate-controlled and anti-static storage environments.

• What is the difference between bonded warehousing and standard warehousing?

  In a bonded warehouse, goods are stored under customs supervision without import duties or VAT being paid — useful if you are re-exporting goods outside the EU or need flexibility on duty payment timing. Standard warehousing applies once goods have cleared customs and entered free circulation in the EU. Seabourne offers both, alongside fiscal representation to optimise your import flow.

• Can you integrate with our existing systems?

  Yes. Our Manhattan WMS connects with ERP, CRM and e-commerce platforms via API, including Shopify and WooCommerce. You retain full real-time visibility of your inventory, orders and shipments through our online portal and Power BI reporting dashboards.