Frequently Asked Questions

What Documents do I need to get German VAT Registration number?

1. Company Registration Certificate

2. VAT number in your home country

3. What is your annual turnover in current year and expected turnover in next year in Germany?

What are the German VAT registration thresholds for an online seller ex. Amazon seller?

For VAT Registered companies in any EU country selling goods over the internet, ex. Amazon sellers, to consumers in Germany, the VAT registration threshold (distance selling) is €100,000 per year.

I am selling on Amazon. Do I need to register for VAT in Germany or other EU country?

If you’re holding stock in another country (e.g. use Amazon FBA), it has already triggered the needs to register VAT in the country and manage return.

I have already started selling on Amazon to Germany using FBA last year. Can I apply for VAT Registration now and then file last year returns?

You have to catch up fillings from the month you started using Amazon FBA. Catch up filings are required to be fully paid (as preregistration) to be able to get the VAT number. Germany has now updated the regulation that a registration could only been done once the Catch up filing is done and paid first.

I do not have a branch in Germany or resident permit or bank account. Can I sell my products to Germany?

Yes, you don’t have to be a resident of Germany to sell your products in Germany. You can sell/trade both online and offline.

What is a foreign company? Do I have to register for VAT in Germany if I am trading to Germany?

Companies based abroad are companies which do not have a domicile, head office or branch office in Germany. A foreign company which does not have a domicile in Germany must report sales which are subject to tax in Germany to the German tax authority, must pay such tax, and must submit a tax declaration. For this purpose, the company must register for VAT purposes with the responsible tax office.

Where are German VAT registrations submitted?.

It depends on your home country. Germany has divided the VAT registration responsibility based on the country of the foreign company. For example:

United Kingdom – Hannover

USA – Bonn

China, India – Berlin

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