Is Your Ecommerce Business Ready for 2027?

Even in compliance, a lot can change over the course of a year. What was worked in 2026 might not be enough come 2027, especially if you’re planning to expand into new markets or sales channels.

 Whether it’s VAT rule changes or new packaging rules, being prepared makes compliance much easier to handle. Here are the questions you should be asking to make sure you’re ready for next year.

1. Are you VAT registered everywhere you need to be?

You don’t always have to register for VAT in a country where you have sales. It depends on:

• Where your stock is stored at the point of sale
• What sales channel you’re using (a marketplace or your website)
• Who your customers are (B2B vs B2C)

If you’re planning on adding a new sales channel or changing your fulfilment strategy, you need to start thinking about VAT now. It can take some Tax Authorities up to six months to process your application.

2. Are your EPR obligations covered?

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) has become increasingly important and complicated at the same rate. Depending on the countries and products involved, your obligations can cover areas such as packaging, electrical and electronic equipment and batteries. Simply being compliant in one country doesn’t necessarily mean you’re covered elsewhere.

The Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) which came into force in August is a good example of how compliance evolves. It added requirements for authorised representatives for businesses who are selling in countries where they’re not established. The impact on small and micro businesses has been significant and we’re already expecting amendments to the regulation in response.

3. Are your customs processes keeping pace with your business?

Growing internationally can mean more goods crossing borders, making customs an increasingly important part of your operations.

Review how you classify your goods, the customs information you provide, and the processes used to move products between markets. Small inaccuracies can quickly become bigger headaches when they’re repeated across a growing volume of shipments.

4. When did you last review your compliance set-up?

It’s a simple question, but it can make such a big difference.

If your business has launched new products, entered new countries, changed fulfilment models or added marketplaces during 2026, your compliance responsibilities may have changed too.

Treating compliance as “done” when you’re registered for something is tempting – it can be a lot of work. However, if you can periodically review your compliance set-up, you’ll be much more prepared should the law change or you want to expand.

Give your ecommerce compliance a health check

A new year brings new opportunities, but it also presents new challenges. Managing and expanding an international brand is easier when you know you’ve got the compliance sorted.

If any of these questions have highlighted areas, you’re unsure about, get your questions answered in SimplyVAT’s upcoming webinar: Ecommerce Compliance Health Check: Are You Ready for 2027?

A group of compliance experts will be discussing what’s changing in 2027 and answering questions to help ecommerce businesses prepare for the year ahead.