About the Client

International tobacco manufacturer
(Client name withheld under a Non-Disclosure Agreement)

The client, a tobacco manufacturer based outside the European Union, planned to introduce a new tobacco product to the EU market. To achieve this, they required a fully compliant supply chain covering logistics, customs, excise duties, regulatory compliance, and product traceability before the first commercial shipment.

The objective was to establish a scalable, legally compliant market entry model that would support long-term expansion across the European Union.

Project at a Glance

🌍 5 countries involved across the supply chain

📦 End-to-end supply chain designed and implemented

⚖️ 10+ regulatory and compliance processes managed

🚚 100% compliance before the first import

🔍 EU Track & Trace system successfully implemented

🛃 Customs procedures fully established

💶 Excise duty processes prepared for market launch

✅ Zero delays in product launch

The Challenge

Although the client had a market-ready product, they lacked the regulatory and operational infrastructure required to enter the European market.

The project required simultaneous coordination of multiple workstreams, including:

• Supply chain design

• Selection of the optimal EU entry point

• Customs classification and import procedures

• Excise duty compliance

• EU Track & Trace implementation

• Trade Compliance assessment

• Regulatory registrations

• Coordination of logistics providers, customs brokers, technology partners and distributors

The complexity of the project demanded not only technical expertise but also comprehensive project management across multiple countries and stakeholders.

Our Solution

Calmio Consulting acted as the lead project partner, taking responsibility for designing, coordinating and delivering the entire market entry project.

Rather than providing isolated consulting services, we managed the complete implementation from initial planning through to the first compliant shipment.

Supply Chain Design

• End-to-end supply chain architecture

• Logistics model optimisation

• Selection of logistics and distribution partners

• Warehouse and distribution process design

Customs & Excise

• Customs tariff classification

• Customs procedures and import strategy

• Excise duty planning

• Customs documentation

• Communication with customs authorities

Trade Compliance

• EU regulatory compliance assessment

• Risk analysis

• Internal compliance procedures

• Import and export compliance framework

EU Track & Trace

• Implementation of the EU Track & Trace system

• Coordination with approved solution providers

• Product identifier management

• Compliance verification prior to market launch

Project Management

• Overall project governance

• Coordination of international stakeholders

• Timeline management

• Risk management

• Communication between manufacturers, logistics providers, customs brokers, regulatory authorities and distributors

Project Timeline

Phase 1

🔎 Business & Regulatory Assessment

↓

Phase 2

📋 Supply Chain Design

↓

Phase 3

🛃 Customs & Excise Implementation

↓

Phase 4

🔍 EU Track & Trace Deployment

↓

Phase 5

⚖ Trade Compliance Verification

↓

Phase 6

🚚 First Compliant Import into the European Union

Results

The project was completed on schedule and without operational delays.

The client successfully achieved:

✅ A fully operational European supply chain

✅ Full implementation of the EU Track & Trace system

✅ Customs procedures ready for commercial operations

✅ Excise duty compliance before market entry

✅ Complete regulatory compliance prior to the first shipment

✅ A scalable operational model supporting future expansion into additional EU Member States

The Value Delivered by Calmio Consulting

The greatest value of this project extended beyond technical expertise.

Calmio Consulting served as the client's single point of contact, managing every aspect of the project—from supply chain design and customs strategy to regulatory compliance, excise duties and implementation of the EU Track & Trace system.

By integrating all workstreams under one project management structure, we reduced complexity, minimized regulatory risks and ensured that every milestone was delivered according to schedule.

This enabled the client to focus on commercial growth while we managed the regulatory and operational framework required for successful market entry.

Planning to Enter the EU Market?

Calmio Consulting supports manufacturers and distributors of regulated products in building compliant, efficient and scalable supply chains across Europe.

Our expertise includes:

• Supply Chain Design

• Customs Consulting

• Excise Duty Compliance

• Trade Compliance

• EU Track & Trace

• Tobacco Products Directive (TPD)

• EU-CEG Notifications

• CBAM Compliance

• EUDR Compliance

• PPWR Compliance

• Import & Export Compliance

From the initial business concept to the first fully compliant shipment into the European Union.