EU Non-Resident Capability Advisory for a US-Based Therapeutics Company
In this non-resident capability advisory case study, Clarkston Consulting supported a life sciences client’s global supply chain. Read a synopsis of the project below or download the full case study.
Download the Non-Resident Capability Advisory Case Study Here
To support the EU commercialization of its first drug product, a U.S.-based therapeutics company engaged Clarkston Consulting to design a comprehensive non-resident capability program in Germany. Operating a fully outsourced global supply chain, the client depended on a contract manufacturer for all EU customs operations, limiting financial visibility and leaving an estimated $6–$18 million in annual VAT reclaim opportunities untapped.
Clarkston designed a structured, end-to-end assessment across the three pillars of EU non-resident capability: EORI number acquisition, German VAT and tax registration, and future-state operating model design. The engagement included a detailed EORI registration pathway, a comparative analysis of EORI, tax, and VAT registration requirements, and a full redesign of Importer of Record structures, financial workflows, and documentation processes.
Key deliverables included RACI matrices for import and export customs operations, a service provider ecosystem framework, risk mitigation strategies across operational and financial dimensions, and a phased implementation roadmap spanning a 10‑week EORI activation timeline and a five‑month VAT go‑live plan.
Through this partnership, the client gained not only a clear pathway to financial value through VAT recovery, but also the operational infrastructure and governance model required to manage EU customs operations, directly enhancing compliance readiness, reducing partner dependency, and establishing a scalable foundation for international growth.
