To become successful in the European market, offering the right product for the right price is just not enough anymore. If your company plans to compete with the existing players in the market, you must do it at the right place, at the right time, and in the right configuration. So, it is essential to set up an effective and efficient supply chain, tailored to the unique characteristics of your products, service levels and markets.

There are many ways to set up your European supply chain. One of the most common is the centralized European distribution model, in which stock for the whole European market is stored in one centrally-located warehouse, and the supply chain is managed from this central point.

One of the crucial aspects in designing your European supply chain is selecting the right location for your European Distribution Center. Location factors such as air and sea port capacity, quality of the transport infrastructure, availability of logistics services, employment and real estate are obviously important. But don’t forget to consider customs regulations and the tax environment as well. The Netherlands is an ideal location from which to serve the European market. In fact, more than 50% of all international companies using a Centralized European Distribution Center locate their center in the Netherlands.

Dutch trading history goes back many centuries, so there is a long-established tradition of transport and logistics. Unique characteristics of the Netherlands include:

• Central location within the European market
• Excellent sea and airport facilities
• Extensive transport infrastructure with fast connections
• Excellent and well-developed logistics industry
• Internationally-oriented business community

Instead of customs clearing the goods upon arrival in the EU, a company can also store them in a warehouse under customs control; a bonded warehouse. Goods can stay in a bonded warehouse for an unlimited period of time, and no import duties and VAT will have to be paid until the moment they are actually imported into free circulation in the EU, e.g. to be transported to a customer. As the customs control of a bonded warehouse is mostly administrative, there is usually no physical separation in the warehouse between goods in free circulation and goods in bond. If the final customer is located outside the EU, the goods can be transported under customs bond (T1) from the bonded warehouse to the country where the buyer is located. In this way, customs duties and VAT at import are only paid in the country of destination, and double payment is avoided.

Versteijnen Logistics 
Head Office the Netherlands

Zeusstraat 3, 5048 CA Tilburg
the Netherlands

Dutch Chamber of Commerce: 18025398
VAT no.: NL 8554.40.235 B-01

Versteijnen Logistics Kft.

Vásárhelyi u. 7.
H-8000 Székesfehérvár
Hungary

Versteijnen Logistics Kft.

Ikervári Utca 42
H-9600 Sárvár
Hungary