Europa Worldwide Group has announced two new services that address the uncertainties that threaten to undermine British exporters’ confidence in European trade.
From 1 January 2026, UK exporters trading into the European Union will face new regulations at the border. The French tax authorities have confirmed that UK companies exporting goods through France under Delivered Duty Paid (DDP) will need to have their own French VAT number or rely on a compliant structure where the importer of record is established in the EU.
In the wake of Brexit, Europa became the first logistics provider to deliver a DDP solution for road freight travelling from the UK to Europe. Branded as Europa Flow, this pioneering service gave UK exporters a reliable route to continue trading with the EU during a period of unprecedented uncertainty.
Faced with fiscal regulation changes that some freight-forwarders have dramatised, causing confusion for businesses across the UK and the EU from 1st January 2026, the global logistics operator has worked hard to analyse and understand the implications so as to provide two simple, compliant alternatives that ensure UK businesses can continue to use DDP and Regime 42 in 2026 with minimal impact to their customers.
Drawing on its position of strength with over 100 in-house customs specialists working across the EU and UK, these latest evolutions within its family of customs solutions will enable British businesses to trade seamlessly with Europe into 2026 and beyond.
From the 1st of January, DDP Flow – Importer’s Signature will provide a simplified option in which the EU consignee signs a limited fiscal agreement, allowing Europa to act as indirect representative to exempt VAT. All duties and charges remain billed back to the exporter, ensuring consignments move seamlessly across borders while preserving the DDP customer experience.
Alternatively, DDP Flow – Own French VAT Number will enable exporters to remain importer of record while Europa arranges and manages the administration for a French VAT number and associated reporting on its shipments free of charge.
The latest in a long line of innovations to improve bilateral trade post-Brexit, Europa’s services integrate seamlessly into HMRC and French Customs to ensure efficiency and control for British businesses.
Andrew Baxter, Chief Executive Officer at Europa Worldwide Group, explained: “We have moved decisively to counter incorrect claims by several operators suggesting that British exporters using DDP will lose access to Regime 42 in January 2026 when transporting goods through France.
“This has caused concern and eroded confidence for British exporters, many of whom are innovative, small to medium businesses. Our focus at Europa has been provide clarity, reassurance and simple choices for exporters in the UK so that they can continue to navigate what is an increasingly complex trading environment.
“We have been aware of the impending French legislative changes for some time and can confirm that our new DDP Flow customs products will ensure exporters can trade seamlessly post 1 January 2026.
“We transport more than 100,000 DDP consignments a year for businesses across the UK, so now that the French tax authorities have confirmed the situation, we have the services and robust infrastructure in place to keep these goods moving”
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