A bonded warehouse at the Port of Rotterdam
Store goods from outside the EU with import duty and VAT suspended. Release them into the EU when you’re ready to sell, or send them on without paying EU duty at all.
Pay duty when you sell, not when you land
A bonded warehouse is approved by customs. While your goods are “in bond”, import duty and VAT are suspended.
Goods arrive into bond
Stock from outside the EU comes straight from the port into our bonded warehouse. No duty or import VAT is paid yet.
They wait under customs control
Your stock is stored, recorded and accounted for, for as long as you need it.
Release or re-export
Release goods into the EU in batches and pay duty and VAT then, or send them outside the EU without paying EU duty.
Bonded storage can save you money
For brands importing from Asia or elsewhere outside the EU, bonded storage can make a real difference to cash flow.
Better cash flow
Pay duty and import VAT when goods are released, not when the container lands. On a large shipment, that frees up a lot of cash.
No EU duty on re-exports
Stock sent on to the UK, Norway, Switzerland or elsewhere outside the EU can leave without EU import duty.
Time to decide
Not sure yet which market stock is for? Hold it in bond and decide later.
Room to sort out paperwork
Goods can wait in bond while documents or registrations are finalised, instead of being stuck at the port.
Straight from the port
Containers come directly from the Port of Rotterdam into our warehouse at Maasvlakte, with no long haul inland.
Customs handled
Declarations into and out of bond are done for you, alongside your fulfilment.
Bonded storage and fulfilment, one partner
- AEO certified. Customs treats our Rotterdam warehouse as a trusted operator, so your goods are in safe hands.
- Fulfilment on site. Released stock goes straight onto our shelves and out to your customers across Europe.
- Honest advice. If bonded storage won’t save you money, we’ll tell you.
- UK and EU. Combine bonded EU storage with our UK warehouse in Thame.
What every brand gets
Whatever you sell, these come as standard.
Good to know
What is a bonded warehouse?
A warehouse approved by customs where goods from outside the EU can be stored without paying import duty or import VAT yet. The tax is suspended while the goods are in bond and only becomes due when they are released for sale in the EU.
Can I sell to EU customers straight from bond?
Not while the goods are still in bond. They need to be released into free circulation first, with duty and VAT paid. We can release stock in batches, as your orders need it.
Can goods leave bond for the UK or other non-EU countries?
Yes. Goods re-exported from bond, for example to the UK, Norway or Switzerland, can leave without paying EU import duty. The import rules of the destination country then apply.
What size shipments suit bonded storage?
Bonded storage works best for larger shipments, typically 7 or more pallets at a time. Tell us what you import and we will tell you honestly whether it makes sense.
Can you repack or label goods while they are in bond?
Only certain simple operations are allowed under customs control, such as some repacking or labelling. Talk to us before you plan any work on bonded stock.
Are there extra costs?
Yes. Receiving goods into bond and releasing them carry admin charges, on top of standard goods-in, storage and fulfilment. Customs declarations, duty and VAT are charged separately. We will set all of this out in your quote.
Do I need a Dutch VAT number and an EU EORI number?
You need an EU EORI number for customs declarations, and a Dutch VAT number to release goods for sale in the EU. We can help you get set up, including Limited Fiscal Representation.
General guidance, not customs, tax or legal advice. Rules depend on your products, their origin and where you sell. Correct as of October 2026.
Everything you need to sell in Europe
Would bonded storage help you?
Tell us what you import, where from and where you sell. We’ll tell you honestly whether bond makes sense, and send a quote.