Sell to the EU the Simple Way

Wherever your goods or customers are in the EU, we’re here to make the VAT simple.

The EU single market is home to around 450 million people. Making them your customers has never been easier with the EU-wide One Stop Shop VAT schemes.

Home  >> EU VAT
To join the European Union, countries have to use Value Added Tax (VAT). VAT is a kind of consumption tax. It’s charged at the point of sale, at every step in a product’s life cycle. If you want to do business in the EU, you’ll encounter VAT as either a customer or a seller.

Three Steps to Selling in the EU

1. Find out where you’ll have to pay VAT

Where VAT is due depends on where your goods are at the point of sale, the value of the goods and the channel through which the sale was made. Take our 30 second quiz to find out what kind of registration you mind need.

2. Review your Prices

In Europe we include VAT in the listed price. Each EU Member State sets their own VAT rates, so as part of localising your store, you’ll need to change your prices to reflect your customer’s location. Download a list of all the UK & EU VAT rates (there’s more than one rate per country) to make sure you’re getting the numbers right.

3. Apply for an EORI number

If you’re importing goods into the UK or EU, you’ll need an EORI number . It identifies you as the importer, and you’ll need it to fill in customs declarations.

The EU VAT Guide for Ecommerce Brands

Working out what your VAT obligations are is complicated. There are a lot of factors involved and a lot of options for staying compliant. We’ve covered the EU VAT basics that ecommerce businesses need to know to get started.
Download Now

2021 EU Ecommerce VAT Package

In 2021 the EU introduced several schemes to simplify VAT for ecommerce sellers. It removed the distance selling thresholds and introduced the One Stop Shop schemes.

Union One Stop Shop

For businesses based in the EU, selling goods into other EU countries. With One Stop Shop (OSS), you register once and file one return to report VAT from all over the EU in the country you’re established in.

Non-Union One Stop Shop

Wherever you’re based, if you’re selling services to the EU, you’ll want to register for Non-Union One Stop Shop (Non-Union OSS). In the EU services includes digital goods like eBooks and downloadables.

Import One Stop Shop

Importing lost cost goods (≤EUR150) into the EU? Import One Stop Shop (IOSS) lets you report eligible sales from all over the EU on a single monthly return.

What EU VAT Registration do I need?

Union, Non-Union and Import One Stop Shop are just the start of your VAT options. You can register in individual EU countries too. Depending on your circumstances, one option might be more efficient than the other, even if you qualify for more than one.

Take our 30-second quiz to determine the best choice for you.
Take our QUiz

EU VAT FAQ

How do I get an EORI number?

We can get you an EORI number and help you decide which country you should register in. We’ll need some details about your business, so book a call and we’ll get things started.

How do I get an EORI number
What’s the cost of an EORI number?
EORI number processing time:

We can get you an EORI number and help you decide which country you should register in. We’ll need some details about your business, so book a call and we’ll get things started.

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It depends on who you’re selling to and where your business is based. For B2B sales, you don’t have to charge VAT if your customer has a valid EU VAT number. B2C sales generally have VAT applied to them unless your product is zero-rated. If you’re selling through a marketplace like Amazon or eBay, you might not have to charge your customer VAT – the platform will likely do that for you.
Maybe! If you’re registered for VAT or one of the One Stop Shop schemes, you can reclaim any output VAT on your VAT return. If you’re not registered, you still might be able to get a refund – it's a bit more complicated.
Yes, import VAT is usually charged when goods enter a country. If you're importing into the EU or UK, import VAT is payable at customs unless you use a VAT deferment scheme or special arrangements like IOSS. If you’re VAT registered, you might be able to reclaim import VAT on your VAT return.
To get a VAT number in the EU, you must register for VAT in an EU country where you do business. Find out more about EU VAT numbers, including whether you need one and how to check a VAT number from our EU VAT numbers guide..

Jargon Buster

Clear up the confusion by clicking on the words below to get easy to understand definitions of the most used terms regarding the 2021 EU VAT changes.
IOSS
OSS
Union OSS
Non- Union OSS
MOSS
MOSS
MOSS
IOSS stands for Import One Stop Shop. This is an optional special scheme for goods being sent from outside the EU, to customers based within the EU with an intrinsic consignment value of less than EUR150.

Register for the One Stop Shop (OSS) scheme to report VAT on cross-border sales to countries where you’re not VAT

If you import goods into the EU with the intention of selling them, you’ll have to register for VAT (you’ll also need an EORI number).

If you import goods into the EU with the intention of selling them, you’ll have to register for VAT (you’ll also need an EORI number).

If you import goods into the EU with the intention of selling them, you’ll have to register for VAT (you’ll also need an EORI number).

If you import goods into the EU with the intention of selling them, you’ll have to register for VAT (you’ll also need an EORI number).

If you import goods into the EU with the intention of selling them, you’ll have to register for VAT (you’ll also need an EORI number).

If you import goods into the EU with the intention of selling them, you’ll have to register for VAT (you’ll also need an EORI number).

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4.8
We love VAT, so you don’t have to!
We love VAT, so you don’t have to!

Customer Reviews

Monika Milcarz, GB
We are using the SimplyVAT service for our EU VAT returns
We are using the Simply Vat service for ages. They never let us down. Very reliable and responsible company with great customer managers. Highly recommended.
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We are using the SimplyVAT service for ages. They never let us down. Very reliable and responsible company with great customer managers. Highly recommended.


Vincent, Switzerland
A very professional firm
A very professional firm that has taken the pain away from our monthly EU VAT filings. I can only vouch for their high level of service
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A very professional firm that has taken the pain away from our monthly EU VAT filings. I can only vouch for their high level of service and quick response time to our various questions. What a difference from our previous provider (VatGlobal). Do not hesitate to use them.


James Hole, Portugal
Making life simpler
The world of EU VAT registration is fraught with complexity and unseen hurdles. SimplyVAT navigated all of this for us
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The world of EU VAT registration is fraught with complexity and unseen hurdles. SimplyVAT navigated all of this for us efficiently and effectively, indluding extracting refunds!
Communication was excellent!


Naja Hendriksen, GB
Brilliant support!
I love being creative and sharing my work with the world, but taxes does my head in, and EU VAT even more so! However, with the help from everyone at SimplyVAT -
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I love being creative and sharing my work with the world, but taxes does my head in, and EU VAT even more so! However, with the help from everyone at SimplyVAT - from the initial client call, to signing up, to registering with the EU for VAT - I've had excellent support.

Especially the calls I have had with Tamara and Debbie have been priceless, they walked me through my VAT return step-by-step, using language I could understand (translating TAX-lingo whenever needed).

With their guidance and reassurance I feel confident my business will run smoothly, with all EU VAT requirements met. Can't recommend SimplyVAT enough


Michael
“Their tailored advice streamlined our VAT processes significantly.”
SimplyVAT provided exceptional service from day one. Their team took the time to understand our business needs and offered tailored advice
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SimplyVAT provided exceptional service from day one. Their team took the time to understand our business needs and offered tailored advice that streamlined our VAT processes. Communication was always prompt, and their support made a complex task feel straightforward.


Emma
“SimplyVAT’s expertise helped us expand confidently into new markets.”
As a small business looking to expand internationally, we were overwhelmed by VAT regulations. SimplyVAT’s team guided us through every step
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As a small business looking to expand internationally, we were overwhelmed by VAT regulations. SimplyVAT’s team guided us through every step with confidence and professionalism. Their expertise gave us the assurance to enter new markets without worrying about compliance issues.


James
“SimplyVAT’s responsive team kept our VAT filings on schedule.”
Working with SimplyVAT has been a game-changer for our business. Their team is incredibly responsive, ensuring all our VAT filings are submitted on time without any hassle.
Read More..

Working with SimplyVAT has been a game-changer for our business. Their team is incredibly responsive, ensuring all our VAT filings are submitted on time without any hassle. They’ve taken a huge weight off our shoulders, allowing us to focus on growth.


Sarah
“Their clear guidance turned VAT complexity into a manageable task.”
I was dreading dealing with VAT for our growing e-commerce business, but SimplyVAT made it so much easier. T
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I was dreading dealing with VAT for our growing e-commerce business, but SimplyVAT made it so much easier. Their team provided clear, step-by-step guidance and was always available to clarify doubts. It’s rare to find a service that combines expertise with such approachable support.


Mark
“SimplyVAT’s proactive support saved us hours on VAT compliance.”
SimplyVAT has been a fantastic partner for our business. Their team is always proactive, answering questions before we even ask them, and their expertise
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SimplyVAT has been a fantastic partner for our business. Their team is always proactive, answering questions before we even ask them, and their expertise has saved us countless hours on VAT compliance. Highly recommend their services to any business looking to simplify their tax processes.


SimplyVAT customer
“SimplyVAT’s platform made VAT compliance simple and stress-free.”
Really smooth process from start to finish. I represent a Kiwi company entering the EU market and looked around at options for helping sort VAT.
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Really smooth process from start to finish. I represent a Kiwi company entering the EU market and looked around at options for helping sort VAT. SimplyVAT were excellent right from the start - making what would have been a very complicated process simple and clear. Clear communication and a nice backend portal made the process run smoothly.


Ajay
“Liza and Sonja delivered flawless VAT compliance support.”
Flawless service, by SimplyVAT have had excellent service first by Liza and then Sonja. Both have been amazing
Read More..

Flawless service, by SimplyVAT have had excellent service first by Liza and then Sonja. Both have been amazing


Christoffer
“SimplyVAT quickly understood our needs for seamless e-commerce VAT solutions.”
Amazing experience! This is a game changer for those in the E-commerce space etc. They quickly understand your needs and finds the best approach.
Read More..

Full Review: Amazing experience! This is a game changer for those in the E-commerce space etc. They quickly understand your needs and finds the best approach. Would highly recommend


David
“Vittoria’s exceptional care ensures our VAT filings are always on track.”
We have been working with Simply VAT for years now. We always get a great service from them and Vittoria always looks after our account really well.
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We have been working with Simply VAT for years now. We always get a great service from them and Vittoria always looks after our account really well.


Anthony
“Vittoria’s thorough communication restored our faith in SimplyVAT’s service.”
Our account manager, Vittoria, provides a consistently high level of communication and service, which. She is very quick at replying and is very thorough in her responses as well.
Read More..

Our account manager, Vittoria, provides a consistently high level of communication and service, which. She is very quick at replying and is very thorough in her responses as well. Our previous account manager wasn't great and we were considering leaving SimplyVAT, but to her credit, Vittoria came in and restored our faith in the company. Thanks again 🙂


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