Crossing borders. What are the key differences in e-commerce regulations in Europe?

Polish Online Retailers and EU Regulations

Polish online retailers looking to sell within the European Union benefit from simplified processes in some areas. E-commerce regulations are largely based on EU legislation, making them consistent and universally applicable across the EU.

Key European E-commerce Regulations

The following are some of the main rules governing the e-commerce market in the EU:

• 14-day complaint resolution – Online retailers in the EU are required to process complaints within 14 days.
• Price disclosure – According to the Omnibus Directive, sellers must display the lowest price an item was offered at in the past 30 days.
• Warranty – Buyers have up to two years to prove that a product does not conform to the contract.
• Disclosure obligations – Sellers must inform customers if they are a business, if they use paid advertising, and provide their business address.
• 14-day withdrawal period – Customers have the right to withdraw from a purchase within 14 days, without needing to provide a reason.
• Returns and complaints policies – Every online retailer must have clear terms for handling returns and complaints. To streamline these processes, Innoship offers an automated delivery and returns system that supports efficient management.
• Personal data protection – GDPR regulations apply throughout the EU.

Selling Beyond the European Union

Retailers looking to expand outside the EU face more challenges. Local e-commerce regulations may vary significantly from EU laws, and shipments are often subject to VAT and customs duties, which are usually the buyer’s responsibility. For these reasons, it is generally advisable to focus cross-border e-commerce efforts within the EU first.