- Solutions
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-
-
A single easy subscription that manages all your international e-commerce trade
One-stop-expansion-shop
Expandly Expansion platform is more than software, it’s your complete expansion command centre, backed by a team of experts in VAT, compliance, and logistics.
Vat Registration
Understanding VAT is key to growing your e-commerce business globally.
Product and Label Compliance
UK & EU product compliance and labelling rules can be complex to navigate.
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)
EPR makes you responsible for products you make, import, or sell after they’re used.
3PL and Fulfillment Services
Our experts know efficient, reliable logistics are key to successfully scaling your brand.
End to End Software
Quickly sell and manage products across multiple online sales channels.
Product Listings
Create and manage product listings centrally
Order Management
Manage your orders from Amazon, eBay, Etsy, Wish
Inventory Management
Avoid overselling with Expandly's auto inventory systems
Shipping Management
Connect with your carrier to ship parcels globally and cost effectively
Integrations
Connect your marketplaces with your website’s shopping cart.
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- Industries
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Global Expansion Pathway GEP©
Successful international expansion starts with informed decisions. Expandly’s Global Expansion Pathway (GEP©) is designed to help brands expand strategically, cost-effectively, and with reduced risk.
Baby Equipment & Nursery Products
Take your baby brand global - safely, efficiently, and with confidence
Toys & Games
Expand your ecommerce toy brand globally - safely and confidently
Health Food Supplements & Vitamins
Take your e-commerce wellness brand global - safely and efficiently
Beauty, Haircare & Cosmetics
Expand your ecommerce beauty brand internationally; easily and reliably
Pet Foods & Pet Products
Take your ecommerce pet brand global - scale fast, reliably and safely
Consumer Electronics Global Expansion
Compliance, VAT & 3PL fulfilment built for ecommerce electronics brands
Household & Garden Products Global Expansion
Scale your ecommerce home and garden brand internationally - compliantly and with control
Apparel & Fashion Accessories
Scale your fashion brand internationally - compliantly, efficiently, and at pace
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-
-
- Explore
-
Plan Your Expansion
Where To Expand First
Helping brands launch, localise and thrive in the UK & EU’s top markets
Global Expansion Pathway (GEP©)
Successful international expansion starts with informed decisions.
Expansion Videos
Plan your global expansion with expert led videos and strategies.
FAQ's
Ask Andy Anything
A place where our eCommerce Guru, Andy Hooper, gets to answer all your questions.
Events
Upcoming Events
Discover expert-led sessions, workshops, and opportunities to connect and grow.
-
- Partners
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Why Partner with us
Why stop at local success? Your Clients Have Nailed Their Domestic Market. Now It’s Time to Go Global.
You’ve helped your DTC clients thrive in their home market, now it’s time to unlock their sales in Europe, the UK, and the US.
Why agencies choose Expandly
Why Account Management Agencies Choose Expandly to Power Client Growth in the UK & Europe
If your clients are ready to scale overseas, you want three things: More sales, New markets, Less hassle And you want to know they’re 100% compliant.
-
-
-
- Solutions
-
-
-
A single easy subscription that manages all your international e-commerce trade
One-stop-expansion-shop
Expandly Expansion platform is more than software, it’s your complete expansion command centre, backed by a team of experts in VAT, compliance, and logistics.
Vat Registration
Understanding VAT is key to growing your e-commerce business globally.
Product and Label Compliance
UK & EU product compliance and labelling rules can be complex to navigate.
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)
EPR makes you responsible for products you make, import, or sell after they’re used.
3PL and Fulfillment Services
Our experts know efficient, reliable logistics are key to successfully scaling your brand.
End to End Software
Quickly sell and manage products across multiple online sales channels.
Product Listings
Create and manage product listings centrally
Order Management
Manage your orders from Amazon, eBay, Etsy, Wish
Inventory Management
Avoid overselling with Expandly's auto inventory systems
Shipping Management
Connect with your carrier to ship parcels globally and cost effectively
Integrations
Connect your marketplaces with your website’s shopping cart.
-
-
-
- Industries
-
-
-
Global Expansion Pathway GEP©
Successful international expansion starts with informed decisions. Expandly’s Global Expansion Pathway (GEP©) is designed to help brands expand strategically, cost-effectively, and with reduced risk.
Baby Equipment & Nursery Products
Take your baby brand global - safely, efficiently, and with confidence
Toys & Games
Expand your ecommerce toy brand globally - safely and confidently
Health Food Supplements & Vitamins
Take your e-commerce wellness brand global - safely and efficiently
Beauty, Haircare & Cosmetics
Expand your ecommerce beauty brand internationally; easily and reliably
Pet Foods & Pet Products
Take your ecommerce pet brand global - scale fast, reliably and safely
Consumer Electronics Global Expansion
Compliance, VAT & 3PL fulfilment built for ecommerce electronics brands
Household & Garden Products Global Expansion
Scale your ecommerce home and garden brand internationally - compliantly and with control
Apparel & Fashion Accessories
Scale your fashion brand internationally - compliantly, efficiently, and at pace
-
-
-
- Explore
-
Plan Your Expansion
Where To Expand First
Helping brands launch, localise and thrive in the UK & EU’s top markets
Global Expansion Pathway (GEP©)
Successful international expansion starts with informed decisions.
Expansion Videos
Plan your global expansion with expert led videos and strategies.
FAQ's
Ask Andy Anything
A place where our eCommerce Guru, Andy Hooper, gets to answer all your questions.
Events
Upcoming Events
Discover expert-led sessions, workshops, and opportunities to connect and grow.
-
- Partners
-
-
-
Why Partner with us
Why stop at local success? Your Clients Have Nailed Their Domestic Market. Now It’s Time to Go Global.
You’ve helped your DTC clients thrive in their home market, now it’s time to unlock their sales in Europe, the UK, and the US.Why agencies choose Expandly
Why Account Management Agencies Choose Expandly to Power Client Growth in the UK & Europe
If your clients are ready to scale overseas, you want three things: More sales, New markets, Less hassle And you want to know they’re 100% compliant.
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New EU Packaging Rules Are Coming. Here’s What Ecommerce Brands Need to Do.
Author: Expandly Team
Publish Date: 23 March 2026
Introduction
The good news?
Brands that prepare early will find compliance much easier- and may even reduce packaging costs in the process.
This guide explains what ecommerce businesses need to do now to prepare.
Table of contents:
Why the new packaging rules matter for ecommerce
For ecommerce brands, packaging has traditionally been an operational detail.
That’s changing.
Under the new regulation, businesses will need to:
- Track packaging materials
- Improve recyclability
- Meet targets of recyclable packaging
- Reduce waste
- Report packaging data across EU markets
For brands shipping thousands of orders each month, these requirements can quickly become complex.
Starting early gives businesses time to:
- redesign packaging
- work with suppliers
- implement tracking systems
- reduce compliance risks
Key Steps for ecommerce businesses
- Conduct a packaging audit
- Redesign packaging for recyclability
- Prepare for recycled content requirements
- Remove restricted chemicals from packaging
- Introduce reuse and refill systems
- Update packaging labels
- Register with EU EPR packaging schemes
- Build internal compliance processes
1. Conduct a Packaging Audit
- Materials used
- Packaging weight
- Recyclability
- Empty-space ratios
- Presence of restricted chemicals
Many ecommerce brands discover during this process that their packaging includes:
- unnecessary layers
- mixed materials that are difficult to recycle
- excess packaging weight
2. Redesign Packaging for Recyclability
The regulation introduces Design for Recycling (DfR) requirements.
By 2028, packaging placed on the EU market must meet defined recyclability standards.
- remove mixed materials
- simplify packaging structures
- replace difficult-to-recycle components
Packaging will also receive recyclability ratings, which may influence future compliance costs.
3. Prepare for Recycled Content Requirements
The regulation introduces minimum recycled-content targets for some packaging materials, particularly plastics.
To prepare, businesses should:
- work with suppliers to source recycled materials
- update procurement contracts
- begin tracking recycled material content
Demand for recycled materials is expected to increase significantly over the coming years.
4. Remove Restricted Chemicals from Packaging
The regulation also introduces restrictions on certain chemicals used in packaging.
For example, limits will apply to PFAS substances from August 2026.
Businesses should work closely with packaging suppliers to:
- verify chemical safety
- obtain supplier certifications
- ensure materials meet EU restrictions
5. Introduce reuse and refill systems
The regulation encourages a shift away from single-use packaging. Some sectors will need to introduce reuse or refill systems.
For example:
By January 2029, beverage containers will be included in deposit-return systems across many EU markets.
Businesses selling beverages or packaged goods should begin planning for these changes.
6. Update Packaging Labels
The EU will introduce harmonised recycling labels across member states.
By 2028, packaging placed on the EU market must meet defined recyclability standards.
Businesses will need to update packaging artwork to:
- include standard EU recycling labels
- provide clear disposal instructions
- remove outdated country-specific labelling
7. Register with EU EPR Packaging Schemes
Under Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) rules, companies must register with packaging schemes in each EU country where they sell products.
Businesses must report:
- packaging materials
- packaging weight
- recyclability information
EPR fees may vary depending on the environmental impact of the packaging.
8. Build Internal Compliance Processes
Packaging compliance requires coordination across multiple teams.
Businesses should involve:
- procurement
- packaging design
- sustainability teams
- legal and compliance teams
Establishing systems to track packaging materials and supplier certifications will make future reporting easier.
key deadlines and images
What this means for ecommerce brands
The new EU packaging rules represent a significant shift in how packaging is regulated.
For ecommerce companies selling internationally, compliance will increasingly require:
- better packaging design
- supplier collaboration
- packaging data tracking
- reporting across EU markets
Brands that start early will be better positioned to adapt.
They may also find opportunities to reduce packaging waste and improve operational efficiency.
Final Thoughts
Preparing for international packaging regulations can be complex.
Expandly helps ecommerce brands manage international operations, compliance and fulfilment as they scale globally.
If you’re selling into the EU and want to ensure your packaging processes are ready for upcoming regulations: