Ask the Collective
The questions independent drinks founders ask most — answered. Distilled from years of community knowledge so the good stuff never disappears in the feed again.
Which bonded warehouse providers are recommended for EU expansion, particularly in Germany and the wider European market?
For EU bonded warehouse operations, members recommend a small set of established providers with cross-border reach: - **Anker Amsterdam** — described as "definitely the best for Europe"; part of B&S group, which also operates warehouses in Germany under the same company umbrella, making it easier to manage multi-country logistics. - **LIS Amsterdam** — flagged as a reliable Amsterdam-based option. - **Bemakers** — operates warehouses in Denmark and Germany with B2B and B2C distribution reach across several European countries (network is growing). One member noted they were onboarding at the time of discussion but had no prior hands-on experience to report. Members indicated Amsterdam-based providers are the most commonly recommended starting point for EU expansion. Anker's advantage is the integrated German warehouse presence under one corporate structure, reducing complexity if you plan to operate in both the Netherlands and Germany.
How can drinks brands set up Amazon FBA selling from EU stock locations like Amsterdam?
Members have experience selling on Amazon EU via third-party logistics providers holding stock in Amsterdam. However, the community experience highlights important differences in service quality. **Provider feedback:** - **Anker** — Members who used them report they are effective at getting stock into the Netherlands, but several warned against them: they operate a lot of grey-market inventory and lack a brand-building team. One member compared this unfavourably to working with Hammonds in the UK. **How to proceed:** Members with direct experience are willing to share contacts privately for FBA setup partners. The recommendation is to ask for personal introductions to vetted providers rather than approach unknown logistics firms, as brand control and positioning matter significantly when selling on Amazon EU.