Online sales in foreign markets represent a huge opportunity for e-commerce, but also poses numerous legal challenges. Each country has its own consumer protection laws, and local authorities ensure compliance. In practice, this means that even the slightest inconsistency in a store's documents can be considered a violation of the law and result in serious penalties .

A customer contacted us with just such a problem after being inspected by a foreign consumer rights authority. The reason for the investigation was a discrepancy in the store's documents: the terms and conditions listed a different returns address than the one listed in the "Returns" tab. From the authority's perspective, this inconsistency could be misleading for consumers and constitute a violation of applicable regulations.

Our first step was to analyze the allegations . We thoroughly examined the legal basis provided by the authority and its interpretation of the trader's obligations. We then developed a detailed position statement demonstrating that the address discrepancy was purely technical and did not pose a real threat to consumer interests . We also presented a number of arguments confirming that the store did not mislead buyers and that consumer returns were handled in full compliance with local regulations.

At the same time, we took corrective action . We implemented a system to verify the consistency of store documents and procedures to prevent similar inconsistencies in the future. Following the audit, the client also opted for ongoing legal services from our team, which allows us to continuously monitor compliance with the law both in Poland and internationally.

The outcome of the intervention was very positive . The regulatory body, which initially planned to impose a high fine, significantly reduced it after reviewing our arguments. The client avoided significant losses and was able to continue its business without disruption.

This case demonstrated that even seemingly minor formal irregularities can trigger a serious response from foreign authorities. It also demonstrated that well-prepared arguments and professional representation can significantly reduce financial consequences.

Equally important, ongoing legal services give entrepreneurs a sense of security and allow them to focus on business development, without worrying about the risk of unexpected sanctions.