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Why Ireland Is the Ideal Fulfillment Hub for US Beauty Brands

The European Union is the second-largest cosmetics market in the world, worth about €104 billion in 2024, with Germany, France and Italy accounting for nearly half of sales. Growth is brisk: online beauty purchases are projected to rise by around 9% a year. For US indie brands, Europe’s 450 million consumers represent both opportunity and complexity.

Fulfilment Challenges for US Cosmetic Brands

exporting cosmetics into the EU is no simple matter. Every product must comply with the bloc’s Cosmetics Regulation, requiring rigorous safety testing and an EU-based “Responsible Person.” Add to this the EU’s VAT reforms which removed exemptions on low-value imports and the result is that shipping individual parcels from the US now often means extra paperwork, unpredictable costs, and slower delivery.

Brexit has compounded the issue: routing via Britain no longer grants access to the EU single market. For brands shipping directly from America, customs delays and higher freight costs can eat into margins and damage customer experience.

Ireland’s Strategic Advantage

The Republic of Ireland has quietly emerged as a favoured gateway. As an English-speaking EU member, it offers frictionless access to the single market. Goods imported into Ireland clear customs once, then circulate tariff-free across the EU. Its ports and airports connect quickly to Europe’s major capitals, and its corporate regime with a 12.5% tax rate has long drawn American firms seeking a European foothold.

For beauty brands, cosmetic stock storage in Ireland transforms the economics: bulk shipments from the US can be held centrally, while orders to Berlin, Paris or Milan are fulfilled in days, not weeks, without repeated customs hurdles.

Fulfilment as Brand Experience

Beauty customers expect more than timely delivery; they expect presentation. Fulfilment has therefore become an extension of marketing. Services such as custom kitting, branded packaging, and even laser engraving help translate a brand’s aesthetic into the unboxing moment. Research shows nearly half of online shoppers are more likely to reorder if packaging feels premium.

Here, specialist providers matter. RedSky Europe, based in Kilkenny, has built its business around exactly these needs. Its Irish facility stores inventory for US brands and offers tailored fulfilment: assembling gift sets, inserting samples, producing engraved items, and ensuring each parcel arrives as a miniature brand showcase. With full VAT compliance and real-time inventory dashboards, it gives brands operational visibility while simplifying cross-border complexity.

The Bigger Picture

As Europe tightens VAT enforcement and e-commerce continues to grow, the cost of not localising fulfilment will rise. Consumers expect speed and polish; regulators expect compliance. For US indie cosmetic brands particularly those built on Instagram and DTC channels finding the right logistics partner is now as central as finding the right influencer.

Conclusion

he EU’s beauty market is too large to ignore, but too complex to approach casually. Ireland provides the geographic and regulatory gateway; RedSky Europe supplies the execution. For indie brands seeking to expand across the Atlantic, this combination offers a pragmatic way to turn European demand into dependable growth.

Learn more at redskyeurope.com or schedule a consultation today.

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3PL Fulfilment

FAQ

A 3PL, or Third-Party Logistics provider, is a company that receives your inventory, processes your backer orders, and ships your backer rewards.

It is important that your 3pl has experience with crowdfunded projects with supporting operations and technology. For any crowd funding project, fulfilling the commitment you made to your backers is of upmost importance

Yes, if you are shipping more than a hand full of units, you need an experienced company that can organise your inventory and fulfil your obligations to your backers.

A 3PL can save you time, money, and stress. We help creators ship to backers around the world without having to manage a warehouse or shipping operation

The earlier you plan your fulfilment, the better your campaign outcome will be. Ideally, you should start thinking about logistics before your campaign ends, or even before it launches. Early planning helps you avoid delays, ensure smoother operations, and get a clear picture of your shipping costs. It also allows you to account for important factors like taxes, VAT, import timelines, and packaging expenses. These costs can add up quickly, so understanding them upfront means you can price your product appropriately and protect your profit margins.

Yes. Redsky Europe ships to backers in the UK, EU, US, and globally

Fulfilment costs vary based on your product size, order volume, and shipping destinations. We’ll work with you to create a custom quote that fits your campaign’s needs and budget.

As a rough guide, you can expect a 1kg order shipped from Redsky Europe to reach most European destinations in 3–5 days for around €8–€12

Absolutely, We provide tailored kitting solutions, including branded packaging, barcoding, and assembly of complex bundles. Whether you’re managing stretch goals, tiered reward levels, or unique add-ons, we ensure every backer gets exactly what they pledged for

Our fulfilment centres are based in Ireland, which allows us to ship smoothly across the UK, EU, and beyond while managing VAT and customs compliance for your brand.

Yes. Once your campaign is fulfilled, we can continue to ship ongoing ecommerce orders and bulk shipments to retail partners, all from the same inventory.

Our online dashboard gives campaign owners full visibility and control in real time. Track inventory levels, monitor active orders, and make updates on the fly

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