
In conversation with RheinNatur Food GmbH
“RheinNatur goes wherever our customers are! On Amazon, our customers enjoy security and convenience. And we're there for them.”
Ingo Meierhans, RheinNatur

RheinNatur, based in Germany, is known for its high-quality, certified organic foods and nutritional supplements that meet the highest standards of purity and quality.
Tell us about your business and how your Amazon journey began in Germany.
RheinNatur specialises in the production of pure and natural food ingredients and nutritional supplements. We began our journey on Amazon's German marketplace four years ago and have steadily grown ever since. Entering the German market was a crucial step that gave us important insights and experience in e-commerce. As the company grew, expanding into Europe was a natural step towards making our products available to a wider customer base. Finally expanding to the UK was a thrilling milestone for us. We were excited about the new opportunities and challenges that awaited us there.
What inspired you to expand to the UK with Amazon?
The success of our brand in Germany was a key motivator for us to take bolder steps towards expansion. Nothing inspires us more than the opportunity to serve our satisfied customers not only in Germany but across Europe, making our products available to an even larger audience.
Two years after our successful launch on the German Amazon marketplace, we spotted an advert for the Amazon expansion programme. We jumped at the chance to expand our business to the UK. The prospect of growing the brand further and opening up new markets inspired and motivated us to take this step.
Two years after our successful launch on the German Amazon marketplace, we spotted an advert for the Amazon expansion programme. We jumped at the chance to expand our business to the UK. The prospect of growing the brand further and opening up new markets inspired and motivated us to take this step.
Expanding to Europe was a natural step. Finally going to the UK felt fantastic!
How did you manage to deal with the requirements and regulations in the UK?
The requirements and regulations in the UK required a lot of preparation and research. There were many details to consider, particularly concerning tax and legal regulations. The personal support that Amazon gave us was a big advantage, as it helped us to clear up uncertainties and take the right steps. This support took away our fear of making mistakes and enabled us to enter the market with confidence.
How did you deal with the issue of tax and VAT? Did you have outside assistance?
We used Amazon's customs processing services, and we were very happy with them. Although there was a lot of bureaucratic work, including going to a notary, the assistance from Amazon was extremely helpful and straightforward. The entire process was simplified by the services provided. Without this support, we could never have done it alone.
How did you deal with product compliance and the requirements and regulations in the UK?
We were fortunate to have personal support from Amazon that guided us through the entire process of navigating the UK-specific requirements. This support was particularly valuable as it also helped us with the registration of shipments. Thanks to this personal support, we were able to ensure that our products complied with all the necessary requirements and regulations. We are very grateful for this assistance, as it not only helped us comply with regulations but also opened up new opportunities for us in the UK.
What are your supply chain and inbound logistics like?
Our inbound logistics are very complex, because we fill all the products ourselves. We start with product development, where new ideas arise. We go through many rounds of testing and blind tastings until we find the best raw materials and recipes. Our quality management team ensures that suppliers and incoming goods meet our quality standards. In production planning, we make sure that all the required raw materials and packaging items are available on time. Production is the at heart of RheinNatur. Each bag is personally handled by at least one of our team before being shipped to customers around the world. The aim of our logistics is to ensure that all RheinNatur items are always available on Amazon.
Do you use customs and shipping solutions on Amazon to import into the UK?
Yes, for the UK, we use Amazon's shipping and customs service to help us manage import processes. This service has significantly streamlined shipping and customs clearance procedures. We are also planning to switch to Amazon's Pan-European warehousing soon, in order to further optimise our logistics and increase efficiency.
What is your advertising and marketing strategy? What are the most important tools you use?
Our advertising and marketing strategy focuses on the quality and uniqueness of our predominantly organic-certified products, which are especially suitable for athletes and people following low-carb or keto diets. We aim to highlight the superior quality and benefits of our products to consumers, as these are the key factors that influence their purchasing decisions.
Several of our top-selling products have already earned the title “Amazon's Choice” for three years running, which has further enhanced the trust that our customers have in us.
One of the keys to RheinNatur’s success is our in-house production, which enables us to maintain consistently high inventory levels and almost never run out of stock. This production reliability allows us to always offer our customers reliable and high-quality products, thus strengthening loyalty to our brand.
Several of our top-selling products have already earned the title “Amazon's Choice” for three years running, which has further enhanced the trust that our customers have in us.
One of the keys to RheinNatur’s success is our in-house production, which enables us to maintain consistently high inventory levels and almost never run out of stock. This production reliability allows us to always offer our customers reliable and high-quality products, thus strengthening loyalty to our brand.
At RheinNatur, we are excited about the opportunities available to reach new customers. And it’s not about advertising budget, but about entrepreneurship and hard work. Just how we like it!
Do you see a significant difference between customers in the UK and the European Union?
We haven’t noticed any major differences between European and British customers. Our customers’ responses and behaviour are quite similar. It is particularly gratifying to see that our customers in the UK respond just as warmly and positively to our products as in other European countries.
How do you decide which products to sell in the UK?
When choosing the products to offer in the UK, we worked closely with our Amazon contact to identify the most suitable products. We decided to give all our products a chance, except for two items that only have German labels. However, all the other products qualify, as we provide labels in five different languages, including English. This way, we can make sure that our products are well prepared for the UK market and meet all the requirements.
How long did it take for your expansion to be profitable? Can you share any valuable insights you've gained along the way?
On Amazon, sellers must be willing to play the long game. There are no shortcuts and no-one becomes a millionaire overnight. It takes time to build a brand, collect reviews and earn customers’ trust. It usually takes about six months for a new product to reach its potential in terms of sales figures. Profitability can take a bit longer to materialise. One key lesson we have learned is that patience and continuous improvement are crucial to achieving long-term success.
What is your summary and key advice for selling partners who are setting out to expand into the UK?
My final advice to any selling partners looking to expand into the UK is not to hesitate. While it may seem complicated at first, it’s definitely worth the effort. There’s plenty of support available. Be patient, stick with it and keep trying until it works. Success comes from hard work!
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