Ecommerce VAT Support for Online Sellers

We get registrations and returns done for you, so you can sell to new customers in Europe and Canada without hassle.

Ecommerce VAT is the VAT online sellers may need to charge, collect and report when selling goods or services across the UK, EU or other international markets. Your obligations can depend on where your business is based, where your customers are, where your stock is stored, which marketplaces you use, and whether schemes like IOSS or OSS apply.

For over ten years SimplyVAT has been supporting ecommerce sellers with their VAT. From registrations and returns to audits and refunds, we’ve done it all. We helped British sellers adjust to running their businesses outside the EU after Brexit, and Canadian-origin goods find new customers-for-life.

Whether you’re selling thousands of units through a marketplace or you’re just getting started with your own website, we’re here to help.

Do you have customers all over Europe?

Ecommerce VAT rules are complicated. It’s also our specialty. Where your customers live and where you’re holding your stock will impact what you need to do about VAT. We’ll help you work out where your obligations are and help you get compliant.

Let us handle the tax so you can focus on what you’re good at – making sales.

Image showing a laptop laying on a table in a formal setting

Do ecommerce sellers need to register for VAT?

You sell to customers in the UK or EU

You store stock in another country

You sell through marketplaces like Amazon or eBay

You sell through Shopify, WooCommerce or your own store

You import goods into the UK or EU

You may need IOSS, OSS or local VAT registration

EU flag waving on an official building on the left and the title 'EU VAT FOR ECOMMERCE' on the right.

EU VAT for Ecommerce eBook

VAT rules are sprawling and complex, so we’ve narrowed it down to just the information ecommerce sellers need. Things like the One Stop Shop schemes, how they work and what the alternatives to registration are.

Download it now

  
    Ecommerce VAT Options
    
        Scenario
        Possible VAT Route
        SimplyVAT Can Help With
      
        Selling low-value goods to EU customers
        IOSS registration may help you collect VAT at checkout for eligible orders.
        IOSS registration, returns and ongoing compliance support.
      
        Selling from the UK to EU customers
        You may need IOSS, OSS, local VAT registration or customs support.
        Checking your obligations and setting up the right VAT route.
      
        Holding stock in an EU country
        Local VAT registration is often needed where stock is stored.
        EU VAT registrations, returns and country-specific compliance.
      
        Selling through Amazon or eBay
        Marketplace rules may affect how VAT is collected and reported.
        Marketplace VAT checks, registrations, returns and reporting support.
      
        Selling through Shopify or WooCommerce
        You may need to configure VAT rates and collect the right tax at checkout.
        VAT setup advice, product VAT rate reviews and compliance support.

Ecommerce VAT Options
Scenario	Possible VAT Route	SimplyVAT Can Help With
Selling low-value goods to EU customers	IOSS registration may help you collect VAT at checkout for eligible orders.	IOSS registration, returns and ongoing compliance support.
Selling from the UK to EU customers	You may need IOSS, OSS, local VAT registration or customs support.	Checking your obligations and setting up the right VAT route.
Holding stock in an EU country	Local VAT registration is often needed where stock is stored.	EU VAT registrations, returns and country-specific compliance.
Selling through Amazon or eBay	Marketplace rules may affect how VAT is collected and reported.	Marketplace VAT checks, registrations, returns and reporting support.
Selling through Shopify or WooCommerce	You may need to configure VAT rates and collect the right tax at checkout.	VAT setup advice, product VAT rate reviews and compliance support.

Reports and Returns made easy
with our APIs

Connect your stores to our VAT platform Tribexa, and get your returns done in just a couple of clicks. Tribexa currently connects to Amazon, eBay, Shopify and WooCommerce. At the start of the month we automatically pull all your sales data into Tribexa, so all you have to do is approve your return once we’ve done all the heavy lifting.

an electronic tablet showing data and stats laying on a table beside some fruits giving it neat and clean finishing

What VAT rates should you be charging?

Every country sets its own VAT rates and most have reduced rates. How do you know what rate should you be applying to your products? Some products and services are reduced rated in some countries and not in others.

Send us your commodity codes and our team of experts will tell you what rate to apply to your product in any EU country.

VAT Rate Review

The 2021 EU VAT Ecommerce Package

Before 2021, the EU’s VAT rules didn’t account for ecommerce (because it barely existed when they were written). With more and more online sellers trading across multiple member states, things had to change.

The 2021 EU VAT Ecommerce Package was designed to simplify VAT for people selling goods and services across the EU. Amongst other things, the package created One Stop Shop (OSS) and Import One Stop Shop (IOSS), VAT schemes that reduced the amount of paperwork B2C sellers had to do.

EU VAT Quiz

Cut your research time to 30 seconds with our EU VAT quiz.
Find out which EU VAT scheme suits your business best (if you need to register at all).

Take the quiz

Our Partners

Growing ecommerce businesses have a lot of moving parts. We want to see your business flourish, so we’ve partnered with some of the best providers in the industry. No matter what you need help with we know someone who can help you (and usually for a discount).

Check out our Partners

Ecommerce VAT FAQs

Do I need a VAT number to sell via ecommerce?

Whether you need to register for VAT (and get a VAT number) depends on a list of factors:

Where your customers are
Who your customers are (B2C/B2B)
Where your stock is
Where you’re based

Generally speaking, if you’re selling goods to private individuals in the EU or UK, you’ll need to register either for VAT or a VAT scheme like IOSS.

Does an ecommerce sole trader need to charge vat?

Whether you need to charge your customers VAT will depend on if you’re VAT registered or not. You might need to be registered and therefore charge VAT, depending on where you’re based, where your customers are, what you’re selling.

How to calculate VAT for fashion ecommerce?

To work out how much VAT you need to charge, you’ll first need to work out what VAT rate applies to your product. VAT rates are a percentage of the net price of a product. So, if you’re selling something at the standard rate in the UK, you’ll need to add 20% to your net price. For example:

Net price = GBP 100

Standard rate = 20%

Total Price = GBP 120

Should I register my ecommerce store for VAT?

If you have the option to register for VAT it might be useful for you to. Registering for VAT allows you to reclaim input and import VAT. In some countries being VAT registered lets you use schemes like Duty Deferment, which can help with your cash flow.

Is there VAT on ecommerce?

Yes! Though technically the VAT is applied to the goods or services you’re selling.

When do you have to start collecting VAT for ecommerce?

You’ll have to start collecting VAT on your sales once you’re registered for VAT or an EU VAT Scheme like IOSS. When you need to register will depend on your circumstances.

What should the VAT percentage be for my ecommerce website?

VAT rates are applied to goods and services and each country sets different rates for different product categories. Which percentage you need to apply to your net price will depend on which country your customer is based in and what that country rates your product.

The most trusted VAT support for ecommerce businesses

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

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

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!

David, GB

"Simply VAT helped us do business"

Simply VAT helped us negotiate the EU VAT regulations and thus enabled us to transact business.Farha, our account manager, has been very good-

Simply VAT helped us negotiate the EU VAT regulations and thus enabled us to transact business.
Farha, our account manager, has been very good - quick to respond with the answers and the advice we needed.

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

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

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.