Platform overview
How merco works.
Four steps. Specific inputs. Specific outputs.
Merco handles supplier discovery, compliance document preparation, freight coordination, and payment escrow in one platform. Each step below shows exactly what you do, what the platform does, and what you receive.
The problem
Fragmented by default.
EU fashion buyers importing from LATAM typically manage five or more separate vendors: a sourcing directory, a compliance consultant, a DDS specialist, a freight forwarder, a customs broker, and a payment provider. Merco consolidates them into one platform and one operating agreement.
Step by step
See the workflow. Step by step.
Each tab shows what you do, what the platform handles, and the exact output you receive.
Your input
You paste your catalog URL.
What Merco does
The platform parses your product categories, maps HS codes, and scores shortlisted LATAM factories by compliance profile, MOQ, and tariff position.
What you receive
A ranked shortlist of verified factories. You review the profiles and select who to proceed with.
Platform output
Supplier results · HS 6109.10 · Brazil
8 found · 90s#1 Cottonline do Brasil Ltda
Score 97#2 Sao Paulo Knitwear Export S.A.
Score 91#3 Mato Grosso Cotton Mills
Score 78Detailed breakdown
Four steps. One contract.
Submit and Match
Your input
Your catalog URL.
What Merco does
AI parses your product categories, maps HS codes, and scores shortlisted LATAM factories by compliance profile, MOQ, and tariff position.
What you receive
Ranked shortlist of verified suppliers with compliance score, certifications, MOQ, and current tariff rate. You review and select.
Compliance Workflow
Your input
Your selected supplier.
What Merco does
EUDR geo-polygon verification runs against Global Forest Watch data. DDS is drafted and filed to TRACES NT. Rules of Origin eligibility is confirmed per HS code.
What you receive
Filed DDS reference number, geo-check result, ROO confirmation, and a SHA-256 document hash. You review before submitting your import declaration.
Freight and Logistics
Your input
Your confirmed order.
What Merco does
LCL freight rates sourced via Freightos for the applicable origin port. Rate locked and booking reference generated. EU-Mercosur annual tariff rate applied and EUR.1 certificates prepared.
What you receive
Locked Freightos rate, transit schedule, consolidated manifest reference. You confirm the booking.
Escrow and Payment
Your input
You fund the escrow.
What Merco does
Payment held in Stripe-backed escrow using manual capture. Funds stay on the platform until you confirm each delivery milestone.
What you receive
Three-milestone contract with amounts per stage. Full transaction audit trail on the Merco ledger and Stripe.
How a real order moves through Merco
Example: 10,000 cotton shirts from Brazil to Germany.
Status indicators, blockers, and responsible party shown per step. This is what a live Merco order looks like mid-pipeline.
Buyer submits sourcing request
COMPLETEDBuyerCategory: Cotton T-shirts · HS 6109.10 · 10,000 units · Delivery: Hamburg, DE · Target FOB price range submitted
Suppliers matched and ranked
COMPLETEDMerco8 verified Brazilian factories scored in 90 seconds · Cottonline do Brasil ranked #1 (score 97) · Compliance profile, MOQ, and tariff position shown
Compliance workflow triggered
COMPLETEDMercoEUDR geo-polygon verified against Global Forest Watch · DDS drafted and filed to TRACES NT · EUR.1 Rules of Origin confirmed for HS 6109.10
Documents collected and structured
IN REVIEWMerco + SupplierFactory audit report uploaded · Commercial invoice draft generated · Packing list pending final quantities
Blocker: Lab test certificate (OEKO-TEX) not yet uploaded by supplier
Shipment coordinated
PENDINGMercoLCL rate locked via Freightos · Santos (STS) to Rotterdam (RTM) · ETD Apr 15 · ETA May 06 · REF: FQ-AB12CD34
Payment secured in escrow
PENDINGBuyer + Merco$34,200 authorized via Stripe manual capture · 3-milestone schedule defined · Supplier paid per milestone on buyer confirmation
Goods delivered
PENDINGBuyer + PartnersCustoms cleared at Rotterdam by customs broker · Buyer confirms receipt · Final milestone released · Transaction closed
Compliance scope
Three frameworks. One onboarding.
Every supplier on Merco is verified against these three frameworks before their first listing. Documentation is prepared at onboarding and travels with each shipment.
EU Deforestation Regulation
Geo-polygon verification for every forest-risk commodity using Global Forest Watch data. DDS drafted and submitted to TRACES NT portal per shipment. You are the EU operator of record responsible for final filing under Article 4.
Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence
Supply chain risk mapping and CSDDD scoring at supplier onboarding. Human rights and environmental due diligence documentation prepared before the first order. Buyer retains final responsibility for CSDDD compliance as the EU entity.
EU-Mercosur FTA and Rules of Origin
EUR.1 certificates prepared per shipment. Annual EU-Mercosur tariff step-downs applied at order time: 10.8% in 2026 stepping to 0% by 2035. Rules of Origin require double transformation for most apparel categories.
Responsibility boundary. Merco supports your compliance workflow with document preparation and verification tooling. The EUDR Article 4 due diligence obligation, customs import declarations, and regulatory submissions remain with the EU operator placing goods on the market. Merco is not a licensed customs broker or legal compliance advisor.
Roles and responsibilities
What Merco handles. What you own.
Buyer
- Commercial owner of the order
- Final supplier selection
- Quality inspection and acceptance
- EU customs import declarations
- Import duty and VAT payment
- EU operator of record for compliance
Merco
- Supplier discovery and ranking
- EUDR geo-polygon verification
- DDS drafting and TRACES NT filing
- Rules of Origin documentation (EUR.1)
- Freight coordination via Freightos
- Stripe escrow holding and milestones
- Audit trail and document storage
Partners
- Freightos — freight booking
- Stripe — escrow and payment rails
- Customs brokers — import clearance
- Legal advisors — regulatory work
- TRACES NT — DDS portal (EU)
- GFW — deforestation geo-data
Simple success-based pricing.
Commission on completed orders. No subscription. Commission invoiced to buyer; supplier receives net payment.
Why all-in-one
One contract. Six fewer vendors.
The fragmented way
- Supplier directory
- Compliance consultant
- DDS specialist
- Freight forwarder
- Customs broker
- Payment escrow provider
The Merco way
One platform. One contract. One audit trail.
Sourcing, compliance workflow, freight coordination, and payment escrow under a single Merco agreement. One integration. One dashboard. One point of coordination.
Legal obligations under EU import regulation remain with the importing entity. Merco is the workflow layer, not the regulatory guarantor.
See the workflow in your account.
Verified suppliers, compliance documents, freight, and escrow. Free to join.
Commission on orders only. Onboarding as a supplier?