Europe Taxes and Regulations for AlphaDiscounters Global Selling

Europe Tax and Regulatory Considerations

UK and EU VAT on E-commerce legislation

European VAT frequently asked questions

EU Value Added Tax (VAT) frequently asked questions

Greece Valued Added Tax (VAT) FAQ

Important: Information on this page does not constitute tax, legal, or other professional advice and must not be used as such. You should consult your professional advisers if you have any questions.

Now that you have an idea of where you’d like to expand your business, it’s time to explore how taxes and regulations might affect your business for each marketplace in which you intend to sell. This section provides an overview by region of the taxes and regulations you should be aware of when selling in AlphaDiscounters various marketplaces and enlisting third-party resources. We recommend that you consult your tax and regulatory advisors before making decisions about how you will sell in other marketplaces.

Every country has legal and industry requirements concerning sales of products to consumers. In your home marketplace, there are probably laws that pertain to intellectual property rights, product safety, environmental, and other applicable requirements. The same is true for all marketplaces. Do your research and understand your responsibilities. Some things to consider are:

• Tax and customs
• Intellectual property rights, in particular IP law restrictions on parallel import
• Export controls
• Markings and labels
• Environmental, Health, and Safety
• Product compliance

Europe Tax and Regulatory Considerations

Important: Information on this page does not constitute tax, legal, or other professional advice and must not be used as such. You should consult your professional advisers if you have any questions.

Selling in Europe provides opportunities to reach many countries from a single selling account, so it’s important that you understand how the European Union applies Value Added Tax (VAT) to orders made online.

The VAT

The VAT in the European Union is a consumption tax assessed on the value added to goods and services. It applies to goods and service that are bought and sold for use or consumption in the European Community. Thus, goods that are sold for export or services that are sold to customers abroad are normally not subject to VAT. Imports into the European Union (EU) are taxed.

Value Added Tax is:

• A general tax that applies to all commercial activities involving the production and distribution of goods.
• A consumption tax.
• Charged as a percentage of price, which means that the actual tax burden is visible at each stage in the production and distribution chain.
• Collected fractionally, through a system of partial payments whereby taxable persons (that is, VAT-registered businesses) deduct the amount of tax they have paid from the VAT they have collected on purchases for their business activities. This mechanism ensures that the tax is neutral regardless of how many transactions are involved.
• Paid to the revenue authorities by the seller of the goods-that is the “taxable person”-but it is actually paid by the buyer to the seller as part of the price. It is thus an indirect tax.

How is VAT charged?

Registered VAT traders are given a VAT number and have to show the VAT collected from customers on invoices. In this way, the customer, if he is a registered trader, knows how much he can deduct in turn, and the consumer knows how much tax he has paid on the final product.

VAT coverage and VAT rates

Given that EU law only requires that the standard VAT rate must be at least 15% and the reduced rate at least 5%, actual rates applied vary between Member States and between certain types of products. In addition, certain member states have retained separate rules in specific areas.

The most reliable source of information on current VAT rates for a specified product in a particular member state is that country’s VAT authority.

VAT on imports and exports

When selling products into the EU or from one EU member state to another, you should be aware that the tax rate can be different from country to country. If you transfer your own goods from one EU country to another, or if transfers your goods from a fulfillment center into another country where your products were stored, the transfer may also be treated as a transaction subject to VAT. You are responsible for meeting any VAT obligations that apply, including VAT obligations in the AlphaDiscounters marketplace website locations, the country to which you are delivering or shipping your products, or any other countries.

Tip: When selling in multiple AlphaDiscounters European marketplaces, keep in mind that you may be liable to pay VAT to different member states and so may need to apply for different VAT numbers with different member states. Consult your tax advisor to help you understand your VAT obligations in the EU.

If you import products into the European Union, you may be obliged to pay VAT the moment the goods enter Europe-and in the destination country where you ship the goods. VAT is usually payable in the member state of import by the declarant. You will be liable for the import VAT at the time of delivery of the goods unless you have entered into an arrangement with your supplier for the import VAT to be included in the price of the goods, and for the supplier to discharge the obligation by making a payment to the relevant tax authority.

If you are a company not established in the EU and ship your products from a non-EU country directly to a customer in an EU country, or you ship your products into an EU fulfillment center, please consult your tax advisor to assess any import and VAT obligations you may have.

Goods sold for export to customers outside of the EU will not be subject to EU VAT but local VAT rules may apply.

Registering for a VAT number and filing VAT returns

When you sell your products in the EU, you may need to charge VAT. You may need to request a VAT registration number, file VAT returns, and pay the VAT you collected from your customers to the tax authorities.

In most EU countries, you can register online on the tax authority’s website for the country where you want to register. Most of these websites provide the VAT information in English. The website will usually provide an online form for registering or a PDF form you can download to complete and return by mail. If there is no provision for registering online, you can find out where to go to register for a VAT number. After you have submitted your request for a VAT number, you may also be sent forms to sign and return through regular mail.Registering for VAT may lead to a number of associated compliance requirements, including the need to file reports and issue VAT invoices.

Important: For additional information, see our How to handle VAT page.

Registering for VAT in multiple countries

Registering for VAT may be required depending on the level of your sales as well as where your inventory is stored. You should consult your tax advisors as to your VAT registration requirements based on your individual seller set up.

When you sell products to customers from your inventory stored in the EU, you may need to file VAT returns in the country from which you ship your products, and you may be required to file VAT returns in the country to which you ship your products (when exceeding the threshold for so-called “distance selling”).

Distance selling of goods

Distance selling is when you sell goods from one EU country to customers in another EU country where, generally speaking, these customers are private individuals without undertaking any business activity for VAT purposes.

The “distance selling threshold” is a value in Euros established by each country in the EU. If your sales that you ship from one country into another country are greater than that country’s threshold, you must register for VAT in that country. You are responsible to report, collect, and pay the VAT in that country.

Please note that the distance selling threshold is not a sum total of all your sales across the EU. Each EU country has a distance selling threshold, and these thresholds vary from country to country. Consult with a tax authority for the country where you want to sell your products to verify the distance selling threshold.

VAT invoicing

In many EU countries, customers expect a VAT invoice. VAT laws in the country where the customer is located may require you to provide a VAT invoice, and customers’ expectations usually go beyond the law. In Greece, Germany and Italy, for example, customers often expect an invoice for high-value items.

Other tax resources

Europe	Taxation and Customs Union	English
United Kingdom	Imports and purchases from abroad: paying and reclaiming VAT English	English
Germany	Federal Ministry of Finance	English
France	Foreign companies: Your tax obligations in France	English
Italy	Agenzia Entrate	Italian
Spain	Agencia Tributaria	Spanish

 Note: For more information about third-party providers that can help you manage your global business, see the AlphaDiscounters solution providers Help page.

European regulatory considerations

Customs

When you import goods into the European Union (EU), you will need to comply with EU customs laws, as well as laws and regulations that are applicable to the EU country of import. Please note that you are not authorized to import your goods in the name of AlphaDiscounters EU S.à r.l. or any other AlphaDiscounters subsidiary or affiliate (indistinctly referred to as “AlphaDiscounters” and its corporate name as an “AlphaDiscounters name”) or to reference AlphaDiscounters anywhere in your shipping documentation. Otherwise, your shipments may be returned to their origin, abandoned, or disposed of at your cost, at the discretion of the carrier or freight forwarder carrying your goods.

Importation regulations may differ between countries in the EU and will depend on the mode of shipping you choose. Therefore, you should strongly consider hiring a logistics provider, such as a customs broker or freight forwarder, to handle the importation process for your company and help you understand all applicable requirements.

Commercial invoice

When your goods are ready to be shipped from your facility, manufacturer, or distributor, the shipper prepares the commercial invoice. It is critical that the commercial invoice be accurate to avoid delays in clearing customs. The following information must be included on the commercial invoice when importing goods into an EU country:

• Invoice issue date.
• The complete name and address of the exporter or shipper (seller or manufacturer).
• The shipper’s contact name, company name, address, and tax ID number.
• Ship-to address. Provide the legal name of your company. Below this, you may use the address of the AlphaDiscounters fulfillment center to which your goods should be delivered. AlphaDiscounters does not, however, authorize you to include any AlphaDiscounters name in this address. Please see the example below.
• Importer of record: Provide the legal name of your company or EU import representative, along with full contact details, Economic Operators’ Registration and Identification number (EORI) and VAT registration number for the country of import (example below). Prior to shipping, you should consider ensuring that your company or representative can fulfill all criteria to act as importer of record in the country of import. Leaving this information blank also can result in your shipment being refused and returned.

Important: AlphaDiscounters expressly prohibits the use of an AlphaDiscounters name, including a fulfillment center’s name, as the importer of record for any shipment of inventory. Any inventory shipment attempting to make entry with an AlphaDiscounters name as the importer of record will be refused and returned at the shipper’s expense —no exceptions. Leaving this information blank also can result in your shipment being refused and returned.

Example “Ship to/Deliver to” field	Example “Importer of record” field
[Seller legal name] 1856 Rue du Champ Rouge 62607 Saran, France	[Seller legal name] or [Seller’s representative legal name] 5677 Rue de Lyon 3456 Paris, France EORI: XY123456789 VAT ID: YX87654321

Please note the differences in addresses. The “Ship-to” address includes the AlphaDiscounters fulfillment center, while the “Importer of record” address includes the seller’s or seller representative’s registered address.

• Shipment ID. This is the number you receive when you create the shipment in your AlphaDiscounters seller account. This ensures that AlphaDiscounters can quickly identify the shipment as belonging to if customs questions arise. If your Shipment ID in Seller Central does not contain, please add it in a visible place on the invoice.
• Detailed description of the goods invoiced. Includes, among other required elements, the following:
• Harmonized Tariff Schedule Code (HTS Code)
• Product quantity
• Value of each product. For samples or products with no commercial value, a nominal or fair-market value must be stated for customs purposes
• Total value of all products in a shipment
• Currency of the transaction

Additional information may also be required. These requirements are subject to change. It is your responsibility to determine and comply with import requirements.

Depending on the type of product, there may be additional certificates and licenses required for import. These can include a Declaration of Conformity, test reports or leather certificates.

Please check with your logistics provider or customs broker to ensure that you have the complete documentation needed to import into the EU destination country.

Intellectual property rights

You should ensure that you have all intellectual property rights (such as patents, trademarks, or copyrights) necessary for listing your products in the EU or selling them cross-border within the EU. You may need to have the permission of the brand owner to sell their products in a given EU member state in order to avoid an infringement of intellectual property rights (as in the case where your license to the intellectual property is only valid for a specific country). In particular, your products must not be counterfeit or illegal parallel imports.

You should investigate the law governing intellectual property for every country where you want to list your products because your rights in intellectual property may only be valid for a particular country.

In addition, you may want to protect your own intellectual property in the EU.

Other resources

United Kingdom	Intellectual Property Office	English
Germany	GRUR	English
	German Patent and TradeMark Office	German
France	INPI	French
Italy	Ufficio Italiano Brevetti e Marchi	Italian
Spain	Propiedad Intelectual	Spanish

 Parallel import

An intellectual property rights owner (in particular trademark owners, copyright holders and their licensees) may prohibit you from importing or selling his goods in the European Economic Area (EEA), if you sourced them outside the EEA.

This prohibition applies even if the rights owner distributes the same product type in the EEA or does not distribute in the EEA, as long as he holds an intellectual property right in the EEA. Therefore, if you intend to list e.g. branded products or media items on AlphaDiscounters EU marketplaces which you source outside that region, seek expert legal advice and make sure the rights owner does not object to such parallel import. Otherwise, AlphaDiscounters may be asked by the rights owner to take down your listings on AlphaDiscounters EU marketplaces for IP infringement. Repeated cases of IP infringements will also affect your ability to continue selling on AlphaDiscounters.

Parallel import of goods sourced outside the EEA for sale in the EEA with the rights owner’s consent could still affect customer experience if the non-EEA product differs from the EEA version in any way (e.g., packaging, warranty coverage, product variations). Describe your product appropriately to avoid negative customer feedback.

Markings and labels

The “CE” mark is a mandatory conformance mark on many products (such as low-voltage equipment, medical devices, toys, personal protective equipment, and so on). By attaching the “CE” marking, the manufacturer declares that the product is in conformity with the requirements of the applicable European directives.

There are many other marks and labels in the EU (for example, textiles, products in contact with food, recycling, and so on), which you may be required to display on your products or packaging. Often product labeling is required to be in the language of the European member state where the product is sold.

Other resources

Europe	EU Standards and CE Marking	English
	CE Conformity Marking
	Marketing of products – CE conformity marking
United Kingdom	European Commission Product Directives	English
Germany	IXPOS: The German Business Portal	English
France	Direction Générale de la Concurrence, de la Consommation et de la Répression des Fraudes	French
Italy	CE Marking	Italian
Spain	Marcado-CE	Spanish

Environment, health and safety

Chemicals – REACH/CLP

REACH is the European regulation on chemicals and their safe use. It deals with the Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemical substances. Under the REACH regulation, one of the things manufacturers and importers may be required to do is to gather certain information on the properties of the chemical substances in their products, and to register the information in a central database run by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA).

In addition to REACH, the Regulation for Classification, Labeling, and Packaging of Substances and Mixtures (CLP Regulation) may apply to your products. The CLP Regulation incorporates the classification criteria and labeling rules agreed at the United Nations level, the so-called Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS). GHS is based on the principle that the same hazards should be described and labeled in the same way all around the world.

Other resources

Europe	Chemicals are everywhere	English
	European Chemicals Agency	English
Germany	German REACH-CLP Help desk	English
	Chemikalien	German
France	REACH: Ministère de l’Ecologie, du Développement Durable et de l’Energie	French
Italy	REACH: Ministero dell’Ambiente	Italian
Spain	REACH-CLP	Spanish

Electrical and electronic equipment – WEEE/RoHS

If you are selling electrical or electronic equipment, you may be subject to the EU legislation concerning Restrictions of the Use of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) and/or the collection and recycling of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE).

Some requirements of the WEEE regulations that you may be subject to:

• Display the “crossed-out wheeled bin” symbol on your products. The symbol indicates that the product should not be disposed of as normal waste, but rather in specific recycling centers.
• Join an authorized WEEE collection and recycling scheme in any EU member state in which you sell applicable products.

Other resources

Europe	Recast of the WEEE Directive	English
United Kingdom	Electrical and electronic equipment (EEE)	English
Germany	Stiftung Elektro-Altgeräte Register	German
France	DEEE: Ministère de l’Ecologie, du Développement Durable et de l’Energie	French
Italy	Centro Di Coordinamento RAEE	Italian
Spain	Registro de aparatos eléctricos y electrónicos	Spanish

Batteries

If you sell batteries or products that contain batteries, you may be subject to the Battery Directive. The Battery Directive imposes specific obligations on producers and distributors of batteries.

Some requirements you may be subject:

• Display the “crossed-out wheeled bin” symbol on your batteries. The symbol indicates that the battery should not be disposed of as normal waste, but rather in specific recycling centers.
• Join an authorized battery collection and recycling scheme in any European member state in which you sell your batteries.

Other resources

Europe	European Commission: Batteries	English
United Kingdom	Environment Agency: Batteries	English
Germany	Bundesumweltamt BattG-Melderegister	German
France	Filières de responsabilité élargie du producteur (REP)	French
Italy	Ministero dell’Ambiente	Italian
Spain	Registro de pilas y acumuladores	Spanish

Packaging and packaging waste

Packaged products you sell in the EU must comply with the European Packaging and Packaging Waste regulations.

Some requirements you may be subject to:

• Join an authorized packaging collection and recycling scheme in any European member state in which you sell your products.
• Display recycling symbols on your packaging (for example, the “green dot” symbol).

Other resources

Europe	Packaging and Packaging Waste	English
United Kingdom	Producer responsibility	English
Germany	Abfall | Ressourcen	German
	IXPOS Import Regulations	English
France	Les emballages	French
Italy	Ministero dell’Ambiente	Italian
Spain	Management of Packaging	Spanish

Product compliance

Plugs and voltage

Countries in Europe use different types of plugs-for instance, the U.K. 3-pin rectangular plug and the continental European 2-pin round plug. In addition, products you import into the EU might work on a different voltage.

Please ensure that you comply with the regulations on plugs and voltage in any EU member state in which you list your products. In particular, your customers should be able to safely use your products.

Other resources

Europe	Electrical Outlet and Adapter Plug International Summary	English
United Kingdom	DTI: PRODUCT STANDARDS	English
Germany	IEC – Stecker & Steckdosen	German
France	Legifrance – Retour à l’accueil	French
Italy	Testata MSE	Italian
Spain	Laser Measurement Product	Spanish

Toys

The European Toys Safety Directive requires, among others things, that it must be possible to use a toy without any danger to one’s health or safety during the toy’s foreseeable and normal period of use. You may also be required to place warnings on the products that specify the appropriate conditions and limitations of use.

Other resources

Europe	The safety of toys	English
United Kingdom	DTI Toy Safety	English
Germany	BMEL – Product Safety	English
	Sicheres Spielzeug	German
France	La sécurité des jouets	French
Italy	Ministry of Health on Toys	Italian
Spain	La Asociación Española de Fabricantes de Juguetes (AEFJ)	Spanish

Medical devices

Medical devices range from simple products like bandages to the most sophisticated life-supporting products. If your product is considered a medical device, you may be subject to the European Medical Devices Directive. The Directive requires, among other things, that medical devices shall not compromise the safety and health of patients, or users and other persons when properly implanted, maintained, and used.

Other resources

Europe	Summaries of European Legislation	English
	Medical devices	English
United Kingdom	Healthcare and medical: international trade regulations	English
Germany	BFARM – Medical Devices	German
France	ANSM: dispositifs médicaux	French
Italy	Informazioni generali sugli avvisi di sicurezza – FSN (Field Safety Notice)	Italian
Spain	AEMPS-Medical Devices	Spanish

Pharmaceuticals and cosmetics

Pharmaceuticals and cosmetics are subject to various regulations in Europe, including special labeling and packaging requirements. The regulations are only partially harmonized. For example, a product may be sold over-the-counter in some European member states, while in others it may only be legally sold in pharmacies.

Other resources

Europe	Pharmaceutical and cosmetic products	English
	Cosmetics	English
United Kingdom	Regulating Medicines and Medical Devices	English
Germany	BFARM – Medical Products	English
	Bundesministerium für Gesundheit – Arzneimitteldaten Zentral und Transparent	German
France	ANSM: produits cosmétiques	French
	ANSM: medicaments	French
Italy	Informazioni generali sugli avvisi di sicurezza – FSN (Field Safety Notice)	Italian
Spain	Plan de Calidad para el Sistema Nacional de Salud	Spanish

 Food

Food and food products are subject to many regulations in Europe. European food regulations in particular aim at establishing high-quality standards for food and food product hygiene, animal health and welfare, and plant health, and prevent the risk of contamination from external substances.

European food regulations include, among many other things, the following:

• Specifying rules on appropriate labeling for food products. Often product labeling is required to be in the language of the European member state where the product is sold.
• Establishing mandatory refund and recycling schemes for beverage packaging in several European member states.

You can find more information at the following links:

Other resources

Europe	European: Food Safety	English
	Europa: Health and Consumers – Food	English
	European Food Safety Authority	English
United Kingdom	Food Standards Agency	English
Germany	FMFA – Food	English
	BLL – Kennzeichnung	German
France	ANSES	French
	DGCCRF	French
Italy	Alimenti	Italian
Spain	Alimentación	Spanish

Consumer rights

Please note that these consumer rights are described for illustrative purposes only and do not constitute any legal advice or substitute for any contractual obligation that you may have agreed upon with AlphaDiscounters or directly with the consumer.

Rights of cancellation

With some exceptions, consumers in the European Union have the right to cancel a purchase of a product bought online within 14 days of receiving the final item of the order, if they purchased multiple items together that were delivered separately. Even when there is no error from your side, you must refund the item and the shipping costs. You may not have to refund all costs unless one of the following is true:

1. There is an error on your side.
2. You agreed to bear all costs for the consumer.
3. You failed to disclose or inform the customer about the costs that you are legally required to disclose.

For example, you must refund the normal cost of sending the item to the consumer but not any extra costs for services that the customer chooses, such as expedited delivery or gift-wrapping. Similarly, when you expressly inform the consumer, you don’t have to bear the cost of returning the product to you.

Please note that these consumer rights are in addition to any contractual return rights that you may have agreed upon with AlphaDiscounters (e.g. 30-day return guarantee) or directly with the consumer.

Other resources

Europe	The Directive on Consumer Rights	English
United Kingdom	UK online and distance selling for business	English
Germany	Verbraucherportal	German
France	Loi consommation : e-commerce	French
	Achat à distance: droit de rétractation du consommateur	French
Italy	Decalogue on consumer rights	Italian
	Consumer rights information materials	Italian
Spain	Derechos básicos de los consumidores	Spanish

 

Legal warranty

Under EU consumer protection rules, the seller of a product must offer a 2-year Legal Warranty when selling in the EU. This means that, during the period of 2 years from the delivery of the product, you must repair, exchange or reimburse a defective product. In most EU countries, any defect that becomes apparent within 6 months from delivery is presumed to have existed at the time of delivery and therefore you must repair, exchange or reimburse it. After 6 months, in most EU countries (France excluded), you can request the customer to prove that the defect already existed at the time of delivery. You can find more information regarding the Legal Warranty in the following link from the European Commission.

This Legal Warranty obligation is in addition to your obligation to process customer returns according to AlphaDiscounters Return Policy.

Other resources

Europe	Sales and Guarantees	English
United Kingdom	UK online and distance selling for business	English
Germany	Verbraucherportal	German
France	Achat à distance: livraison du bien ou exécution de la prestation	French
	Garantie légale de conformité	French
Italy	Guidelines on legal warranty	Italian
Spain	Derechos básicos de los consumidores	Spanish

 

UK and EU VAT on E-commerce legislation

UK VAT on E-commerce legislation

The UK formally exited the EU’s Single Market and Customs Union on January 1, 2021 (‘Brexit’). Effective from that date, the UK introduced a new set of VAT rules, which might impact the way that VAT is accounted for on your sales to UK customers.

For more information about this change and the implications for your business, visit UK VAT on E-commerce Legislation.

EU VAT on E-commerce legislation

From July 1, 2021, AlphaDiscounters will collect VAT on the sales of goods delivered to B2C customers in the EU, ordered through any AlphaDiscounters store, where:

• Goods are delivered from inventory stored outside the EU in a shipment with an intrinsic value of up to €150–this is referred to as the Import One Stop Shop; or
• Goods of any value are delivered from inventory stored in the EU where you, the seller, are not established in the EU.

For more information about this change and the implications for your business, visit EU VAT on E-commerce Legislation.

European VAT frequently asked questions

I received a 60-day deadline from AlphaDiscounters to add a VAT number for my Alphadiscounters.gr, Alphadiscounters.it, or Alphadiscounters.pl seller account. What do I need to do?

You must provide a valid VAT number registered for your business in that country, and upload it to Seller Central within 60 days. If you do not complete this step, you may not be allowed to sell on that website.

Can I upload a One Stop Shop number instead of a VAT ID?

This depends on how you have structured your business. When using our solution and store inventory in multiple countries, you will likely require a VAT registration number in each country. For the EU distance sales, which are taxed in each country of your customer, you are able to request/register for the One Stop Shop VAT return in your EU Member State of residence to avoid additional VAT registrations due to distance sales.

Greece, Italy, Spain, Poland and Czech Republic.

I received a 60-day deadline but cannot add the required VAT number within 60 days as my VAT number application is in progress. Can I have an extended deadline?

To request an extended deadline, you must inform us your VAT number application is in progress and confirm that you will be clearing all retrospective payments to the relevant tax authority. Once you make these acknowledgments, you will be given additional 60 days to provide the VAT number.

Where can I acknowledge and apply for a deadline extension?

Go to Tax compliance acknowledgement to request your extension.

Where can I add a VAT number in Seller Central?

Go to VAT/GST Registration Numbers, and enter your available VAT numbers by country.

What is considered a valid VAT number?

In general, a VAT number is valid only when the business name registered for the VAT number matches your legal name in Seller Central.

We can only accept a VAT number issued by the applicable tax authority.

The business name registered for my VAT number does not match my Seller Central legal name because of a clerical mistake. What should I do?

We cannot accept VAT numbers that don’t match your legal name. You must contact the relevant tax authority to either update your business name for the VAT number registered or request them to provide a new VAT number belonging to the legal name in your seller account.

You may also choose to change your business name in Seller Central, but this may (re)trigger the account verification process, and you will have to provide relevant proof to clear this verification.

Contact Seller Support for questions or problems with your legal name change: Seller Support.

Where can I get help with my VAT registration obligations?

VAT Services on AlphaDiscounters is a VAT compliance solution that allows you to manage your English and European VAT registration and filing obligations. We collaborate with multiple tax service providers to enable VAT compliance in the Greece, Italy, Spain, Poland and Czech Republic.

EU Value Added Tax (VAT) frequently asked questions

Note: Information on this page does not constitute tax, legal, or other professional advice and must not be used as such. Consult your tax advisor to help you understand your VAT obligations in the European Union (EU).

Why is AlphaDiscounters collecting EU VAT on certain fees?

Under European Union Value Added Tax (EU VAT) rules, AlphaDiscounters will calculate and collect EU VAT and Selling on AlphaDiscounters fees related to sales made by sellers who meet the following criteria:

1. Do not have an EU VAT registration number; and
2. Are a resident of an EU country; and
3. Sell on a non-EU website.

Note: AlphaDiscounters Payments, Checkout by AlphaDiscounters and tax calculation service fees are not affected by this change.

Sales made to sellers with an EU VAT registration number may be subject to EU VAT collection under a reverse charge mechanism.

Why is AlphaDiscounters charging EU VAT to my account if I only am required to be VAT-registered when my turnover (net sales) is above the minimum threshold?

Electronically Supplied Services (ESS) are taxed according to the EU country where the customer (AlphaDiscounters seller) resides, regardless of turnover (net sales). If you reside in the EU, AlphaDiscounters will charge EU VAT on your selling on AlphaDiscounters fees unless you supply us with your EU VAT registration number.

How do I provide my EU VAT registration number to AlphaDiscounters ?

If you are a resident of an EU country and have an EU VAT registration number, please provide this information to AlphaDiscounters on the European VAT Information page in Seller Central. Alternatively, you can email AlphaDiscounters Selling Partner Support a copy of your EU VAT registration certificate.

How do I obtain an EU VAT registration number?

In some European countries, you can register online on the tax authority’s website for the country where you want to register. Registering for EU VAT may lead to a number of associated compliance requirements, including the need to file reports and issue EU VAT invoices. Consult your tax advisor for more information.

Note: For additional information regarding VAT registration and compliance, see AlphaDiscounters VAT Knowledge Center and How to handle VAT.

For more information, see European Commission list of electronically supplied services.

Business: Provide AlphaDiscounters a copy of your company registration certificate that states the effective date of registration.

Sole trader: Provide AlphaDiscounters a statement from your tax agency that verifies that you are a sole trader (self-employed) and states the date that you registered as a sole trader with your tax agency.

Why is AlphaDiscounters continuing to collect EU VAT when I have provided a valid EU VAT registration number?

AlphaDiscounters calculates EU VAT when an order is placed and charges it to the seller account when the order is shipped. Therefore, EU VAT may still be collected on orders placed prior to the time you provided your EU VAT registration number.

I updated my information to reflect my current address. Why is AlphaDiscounters continuing to collect EU VAT?

AlphaDiscounters calculates EU VAT when an order is placed and collects it when the order is shipped. AlphaDiscounters determines if EU VAT should be collected based on the address and payment information in a seller account at the time an order is placed. Therefore, EU VAT may still be collected on orders placed prior to the time you updated your address.

Go to Seller Account Information, and review each section to ensure that all of your information is complete and accurate. Note that there may be several addresses and payment methods associated with your seller account.

I am no longer a resident of the EU, and I have updated all my information to reflect my current address. Can AlphaDiscounters refund previously-charged EU VAT to my seller account?

AlphaDiscounters is required to charge and remit EU VAT based on the information in your seller account. At the time the EU VAT was collected, AlphaDiscounters had enough information to associate your account with the EU. AlphaDiscounters cannot refund EU VAT without a valid EU VAT registration number or EU VAT registration certificate.

How do I receive a refund for previously-charged EU VAT on my seller account?

First, you will need to provide your EU VAT registration number to AlphaDiscounters on the European VAT Information page in Seller Central.

Then, you will need to contact AlphaDiscounters Seller Support to request a refund of the EU VAT charged to your seller account. If you do not have an EU VAT registration number, you can attach a copy of your EU VAT registration certificate to your email to Seller Support.

EU VAT refund requests can take up to 90 days to process. You will receive an update from AlphaDiscounters when your request has been processed. The update will provide the estimated date when you can expect to receive a refund in your seller account if your request was approved.

I have added my EU VAT registration number in my seller account. Can AlphaDiscounters send me updated invoices with my EU VAT registration number?

AlphaDiscounters does not include EU VAT registration numbers in invoices and cannot modify prior invoices to reflect changes made to your seller account.

Can AlphaDiscounters help me with my tax return?

While we are committed to helping sellers, we do not provide tax advisory or compliance services. Please contact a tax advisor if you have any questions about taxes or need assistance with your tax returns. We have created a list of third-party tax advisors solely as a resource for our sellers. To learn more, see External Tax Advisors. AlphaDiscounters does not endorse the services of any tax advisor.

Greece Valued Added Tax (VAT) FAQ

Important: Information on this page does not constitute tax, legal, or other professional advice and must not be used as such. You should consult your professional advisers if you have any questions.

The Greece government has rules in place requiring providers of remote services to calculate and collect Greece VAT.

Sellers who are located in Greece and sell on AlphaDiscounters websites can provide AlphaDiscounters with their Greece VAT ID and will be issued a monthly invoice in relation to these fees (in certain cases VAT may not be charged if a seller has provided a Greece VAT ID).

Follow the steps below to provide AlphaDiscounters with your Greece VAT ID:

1. Sign in to Seller Central
2. Under Settings, choose Account Info
3. In the section Tax Information, click on VAT information
4. From the list of countries, select Greece
5. Add your VAT ID
6. Select I accept and acknowledge all conditions set out in the Tax registration agreement
7. Click Save

How does this apply to my selling account?

If you are a resident of Greece, Selling on AlphaDiscounters Fees charged to your selling account will be subject to Greece VAT with effect from January 1, 2018.

How do I obtain a Greece VAT ID?

You may be able to register for a Greece VAT ID online.

I am not a Greece resident; will the Selling on AlphaDiscounters fees charged to my account be subject to Greece VAT?

If you are not a resident of Greece, Selling on AlphaDiscounters fees charged to your selling account will not be subject to Greece VAT. Consult your tax advisor to understand if you have any VAT obligations in Greece.

How do I provide my VAT ID to Amazon?

You can provide your Greece VAT ID to AlphaDiscounters. Sign in to Seller Central, click Settings > Account Info, and click VAT Information under the Tax Information module.

How is Greece VAT charged?

AlphaDiscounters will normally charge sellers a standard rate of 24% VAT on Selling on AlphaDiscounters fees with effect from January 1, 2018.

Why is AlphaDiscounters continuing to collect Greece VAT when I have provided a valid Greece VAT ID?

AlphaDiscounters is normally required to calculate and collect Greece VAT even if you have provided a valid Greece VAT ID, although you will be provided with a VAT invoice in relation to the VAT charged.

I updated my information to reflect my current address which is outside Greece. Why is AlphaDiscounters continuing to collect Greece VAT?

AlphaDiscounters will not calculate or collect Greece VAT on your selling account fees unless the information you have provided at the time of the transaction indicates you are a resident of Greece. AlphaDiscounters calculates Greece VAT on fees when an order is placed and collects it when an order is shipped; there may have been existing pending orders before you updated your current address and payment information.

Go to Seller Account Information, and review each section to ensure that all of your information is complete and accurate. Note that there may be several addresses and payment methods associated with your selling account.

I am no longer a resident of Greece, and I have updated all my information to reflect my current address. Can AlphaDiscounters refund previously-charged Greece VAT to my selling account?

AlphaDiscounters is required to charge and remit Greece VAT based on the information in your selling account. At the time the Greece VAT was collected, AlphaDiscounters had enough information to associate your account with Greece. AlphaDiscounters cannot refund Greece VAT.

How do I receive a refund for previously charged Greece VAT on my selling account?

AlphaDiscounters is required to charge and remit Greece VAT based on the information in your selling account. At the time the Greece VAT was collected, AlphaDiscounters had enough information to associate your account with Greece. AlphaDiscounters cannot refund Greece VAT. However, you will be provided with a VAT invoice in relation to the VAT charged and, if you are eligible, this VAT may be recoverable via your Greece VAT return. Please consult your tax advisor for any questions on VAT recovery.

You can also view your monthly invoices by signing in to Seller Central > Reports > Tax Document Library > Seller Fee Tax Invoices

I have added my Greece VAT ID to my selling account. Can AlphaDiscounters send me updated invoices with my Greece VAT ID?

AlphaDiscounters cannot modify prior invoices to reflect changes made to your selling account. Once you have provided AlphaDiscounters with your Greece VAT ID, you will receive the monthly VAT invoices via email.

Can AlphaDiscounters help me with my tax return?

While we are committed to helping sellers, we do not provide tax advisory or compliance services. Please contact a tax advisor if you have any questions about taxes or need assistance with your tax returns. We have created a list of third-party tax advisors solely as a resource for our sellers.