US Brands: Expand Into the UK With Confidence
Our own facilities in both the US and the UK.
Why UK Expansion Is Harder Than It Looks
Overseas brands entering the UK routinely underestimate the regulatory complexity. FHDDS compliance, bonded warehousing, VAT registration, and customs documentation create a maze that generic 3PLs are not built to handle.
The result? Delayed launches, customs holds, unexpected duty payments, and supply chain disruptions that damage brand reputation before you have even started.
Common Pain Points
- ✕ Import duties destroying margins on UK orders
- ✕ No FHDDS compliance — legal risk for overseas sellers
- ✕ VAT registration confusion and costly errors
- ✕ Managing two separate 3PLs in two countries
- ✕ Customs delays and holds at the UK border
One Partner. Two Countries. Zero Complexity.
Launch Fulfilment runs its own facilities in both the US and the UK, so one operator handles the whole transatlantic route.
FHDDS Handled
Our facility is fully FHDDS-accredited. We carry out all required due diligence checks — no additional compliance burden for you.
Bonded Storage
Import goods into our HMRC-approved bonded warehouse and defer duty and VAT until goods are released for sale — so you pay as you sell, not upfront.
Customs Handling
We handle customs entries, declarations, and documentation. Your goods clear the border without delays or holds.
VAT Guidance
We guide you through UK VAT registration and connect you with specialist advisors. No surprises, no costly errors.
Dual Operations
One partner for US + UK fulfilment. Unified reporting, single relationship, consistent brand experience across both markets.
Fast Setup
Most brands are operational within 2-4 weeks. We handle WMS configuration, platform integration, and test orders.
How It Works
Discovery Call
We learn about your products, volumes, compliance needs, and UK growth goals.
Custom Proposal
We build a bespoke fulfilment and compliance plan with transparent pricing.
Onboarding
WMS setup, platform integration, inventory receipt, and test orders — all within 2-4 weeks.
Go Live
UK orders flow through our Seaham facility. Dedicated account manager from day one.
Why US brands choose the UK first
For most US brands, the UK is the natural first step into Europe: a large English-language market with familiar buying behaviour, a shared payment and review culture, and no language localisation to fund on day one. It is also a base from which you can reach EU customers without running a warehouse in every country.
What changes when you sell into the UK
Selling into the UK from overseas adds a layer that domestic US fulfilment never required. You will usually need a UK VAT registration, your goods attract import duty and VAT at the border, and the fulfilment house holding your stock must be FHDDS-accredited. Getting these in the wrong order is what causes the customs holds and surprise duty bills that stall a launch. For the full picture, see our guide to expanding your brand into the UK — including whether you need a UK company to sell here.
Keeping duty and VAT from eating your margin
Paying import duty and VAT on every unit as it lands ties up cash in stock that has not sold. Importing into our bonded warehouse defers both until goods leave for a UK sale, so you pay as you sell rather than upfront. For a brand testing UK demand, that difference in cash flow is often what makes the expansion viable.
Selling on Amazon UK from the US
You can reach UK customers through Amazon FBA UK, through your own ecommerce store, or both. Either way, any party that stores your goods before they reach the customer — including a prep centre feeding FBA — must be FHDDS-registered, and you will need a UK VAT position in place. We receive your inbound stock, handle the import, and prep or forward to Amazon as required.
One partner across the US and UK
Running separate providers either side of the Atlantic means two onboarding processes, two systems and two points of failure. With operational facilities in both countries, we give you a single relationship for transatlantic fulfilment — US and UK stock, unified reporting, and a team that already understands both ends of your supply chain. New to the compliance side? Start with what FHDDS is and who needs it.
Common Questions from US Brands
Related
How to Expand into the UK
The full roadmap — what's mandatory versus what's a strategic choice.
UK VAT for Overseas Sellers
The NETP threshold, the £135 rule and marketplace VAT.
Do You Need a UK Company?
What UK establishment means, and where it actually applies.
UK vs EU: Where to Hold Stock
Cross-border, UK-held or dual stock — the decision framework.
FHDDS Accredited Fulfilment
The compliance requirement for storing goods on behalf of overseas sellers.
Bonded Warehousing UK
Defer duty and VAT on imported stock until it sells in the UK.
Ecommerce Fulfilment UK
Pick, pack and despatch across your UK sales channels.
What is FHDDS? Full guide
Who needs it, the penalties, and how the scheme works.
Ready to Launch in the UK?
Join the US brands already using Launch Fulfilment for their UK operations. Get a free consultation with our transatlantic fulfilment team.
Get Your Free Consultation