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VAT Registration for Amazon Sellers in Europe: Complete 2026 Guide

February 2, 2026By Profit Scanner Team
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VAT (Value Added Tax) is one of the most complex aspects of selling on Amazon in Europe. Get it wrong, and you risk account suspension, fines, or worse. Get it right, and it becomes a manageable part of your business operations.

This guide covers everything Amazon sellers need to know about VAT registration in 2026.

What is VAT?

VAT is a consumption tax added to products and services in the European Union. Unlike US sales tax, VAT is:

  • Included in the displayed price (not added at checkout)
  • Collected at every stage of the supply chain
  • Ultimately paid by the end consumer

As a seller, you collect VAT from customers and remit it to the tax authorities. You can also reclaim VAT you pay on business expenses.

VAT Rates by EU Country (2026)

Country Standard Rate Reduced Rates
Germany19%7%
France20%10%, 5.5%, 2.1%
Italy22%10%, 5%, 4%
Spain21%10%, 4%
Netherlands21%9%
Poland23%8%, 5%
Sweden25%12%, 6%
Belgium21%12%, 6%
Czech Republic21%12%
Austria20%13%, 10%
Ireland23%13.5%, 9%
UK (Post-Brexit)20%5%, 0%

The EU average standard VAT rate is approximately 22%. Luxembourg has the lowest at 17%, Hungary the highest at 27%.

When Do You Need to Register for VAT?

Scenario 1: Selling from Your Home Country

If you're EU-based and only selling from your home country to other EU countries, you may only need one VAT registration plus OSS (covered below).

Scenario 2: Pan-European FBA

If you use Pan-European FBA, Amazon stores your inventory in multiple countries. You must register for VAT in every country where your inventory is stored.

This could mean VAT registration in up to 8 countries: Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Poland, Czech Republic, Netherlands, and Sweden.

Scenario 3: Selling from Outside the EU

If you're based outside the EU (US, UK, Canada, China), you need:

  • VAT registration in at least one EU country where you store inventory
  • A fiscal representative in most EU countries (adds €1,000-2,000/year per country)

The OSS (One-Stop-Shop) Scheme

OSS simplifies VAT for cross-border B2C sales within the EU. Instead of registering in every country you sell to, you file one OSS return that covers all your EU sales.

How OSS Works

  1. Register for OSS in your home EU country
  2. Charge the destination country's VAT rate on each sale
  3. File a quarterly OSS return listing sales by country
  4. Pay all VAT to your home country's tax authority
  5. They distribute it to the correct countries

OSS Limitations

OSS does NOT cover:

  • Sales made from inventory stored in another country
  • Movement of stock between countries (Pan-EU transfers)
  • B2B sales

This is why Pan-European FBA sellers cannot rely on OSS alone. If your inventory is stored in Germany and ships to a German customer, that's a local sale—not a cross-border sale. You need German VAT registration for that.

VAT Registration Process

Option 1: Amazon VAT Services

Amazon offers free VAT registration and filing services for eligible sellers.

What's Included (€400/year):

  • VAT registration in multiple countries
  • VAT return filings
  • Advance VAT returns
  • Intrastat reports
  • ESL (EC Sales List) filing

Pros:

  • Integrated with Seller Central
  • Relatively affordable
  • Automated transaction data

Cons:

  • Limited support for complex situations
  • May not cover all countries
  • Some sellers report slow response times

Option 2: Third-Party Providers

HelloTax

  • New Seller plan: €39/month
  • Established Seller plan: €99/month
  • 5 Countries Pack: €399/month
  • Specializes in Amazon seller VAT compliance
  • Good reviews for communication and follow-up

SimplyVAT / Taxdoo

  • Tailored solutions for cross-border Amazon sellers
  • Integration with Amazon transaction data
  • Pricing varies by volume and countries

Avalara

  • Basic plan: 9/month (returns only)
  • Standard plan: 3/month (returns + calculations)
  • Enterprise-level solution
  • Note: Avalara discontinued some Amazon-specific services in late 2024

Option 3: Local Accountant

If you have significant volume in one country, a local accountant might make sense. Expect €50-150/month per country for VAT filing services.

VAT Compliance Obligations

Once registered, you must:

1. File VAT Returns

  • Monthly (Germany, Italy, Spain first year) or quarterly
  • Report all sales, purchases, and VAT collected/paid
  • Deadlines vary by country (miss them = penalties)

2. File Intrastat Reports

If you move goods between EU countries above certain thresholds, you must file Intrastat declarations. This applies to Pan-EU inventory movements.

3. File EC Sales Lists (ESL)

Report B2B sales to other EU countries. Required monthly or quarterly depending on the country.

4. Keep Records

Maintain transaction records for 6-10 years depending on the country. Amazon provides transaction reports, but you should keep organized records.

Common VAT Compliance Issues

Late Filings

Missing a VAT deadline results in automatic penalties in most countries. Germany is particularly strict—late filing fees can be €25-€50 per day.

Wrong VAT Rates

Applying the wrong VAT rate (e.g., charging 19% when it should be 7%) creates discrepancies. You're responsible for correcting and paying the difference.

Missing Intrastat Reports

Many sellers forget about Intrastat when using Pan-EU. Non-compliance can result in fines and increased scrutiny.

Not Deregistering When Exiting a Market

If you stop selling in a country but remain registered, you still have filing obligations. Deregister properly to avoid ongoing compliance requirements.

VAT on Product Pricing

Pricing on Amazon

Amazon prices are VAT-inclusive for B2C sales. When you set your price at €20, that includes VAT. On a €20 sale in Germany (19% VAT):

  • Net price: €16.81
  • VAT: €3.19

Your actual revenue is €16.81 before other Amazon fees.

Calculating True Profit

Many sellers forget to account for VAT when calculating margins. Your profit calculator should:

  1. Start with the gross selling price
  2. Subtract VAT to get net revenue
  3. Subtract Amazon fees and FBA costs
  4. Subtract product cost
  5. What remains is your actual profit

Non-EU Seller Considerations

UK Sellers (Post-Brexit)

UK businesses selling to EU customers need:

  • VAT registration in at least one EU country
  • Fiscal representative in most EU countries
  • IOSS registration for imports under €150 (optional)

US Sellers

US businesses must:

  • Register for VAT where they store inventory
  • Appoint fiscal representatives (expensive)
  • Consider using a UK or EU entity to simplify

Fiscal Representatives

Non-EU businesses need a fiscal representative in countries like France, Italy, Spain, and Poland. This representative is jointly liable for your VAT obligations. Cost: €1,000-2,000 per country annually.

Choosing a VAT Compliance Approach

Situation Recommended Approach
Just starting in EU Amazon VAT Services (free/low cost)
Pan-EU with moderate volume HelloTax or similar provider (€99-399/month)
High volume, complex needs Dedicated accountant + Avalara
Non-EU business Provider with fiscal representative services

Key Takeaways

  • VAT registration is mandatory when storing inventory in an EU country
  • OSS simplifies cross-border sales but doesn't replace Pan-EU VAT registrations
  • VAT rates range from 17% to 27% across the EU
  • Non-compliance risks include fines, account suspension, and legal issues
  • Budget €100-400/month for VAT compliance services depending on countries
  • Always calculate profit after VAT to understand true margins

VAT compliance is not optional. But with the right systems in place, it becomes a routine part of running a successful Amazon business in Europe.