How to Get a VAT Number in Other European Countries to Sell on Amazon

If Amazon stores your stock in other countries, you need a VAT number in each one. Here is when, in which countries and how it is done.

You need a local VAT number in every EU country where Amazon stores your inventory, even if you only have one product there. The One-Stop Shop (OSS) simplifies VAT on distance sales, but it does not replace this registration when your goods are physically in another country.

Data reviewed on 1 October 2026. This guide is informational and is not tax advice for your specific case.

When you need a local VAT number

  • Your stock is in a warehouse in another country, whether Amazon’s (for example, through FBA Pan-EU) or your own.
  • You move your own goods between countries. Transferring your own goods to another country is usually treated as a transaction that requires registration in the destination country.
  • Your logistics programme spreads inventory automatically. If you enable a Pan-European programme, stock can end up in several countries without you choosing product by product.

Selling from your country to consumers in other countries, with no stock there, is normally handled with OSS. See our guide to EU ecommerce VAT and the One-Stop Shop.

Countries where stock is commonly held with FBA Pan-EU

According to an industry guide, the usual countries are Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Poland, the Czech Republic and the Netherlands. The list changes with the programme and your setup, so check it in your Seller Central account before deciding which registrations to file. Each country names its VAT number differently; see VAT numbers in Europe by country.

Step by step

  1. List your warehouses. Note every country where you hold or will hold goods.
  2. Decide who files. You can do it yourself with each country’s tax authority, hand it to your adviser or use Amazon’s VAT service.
  3. Gather the documents. They usually include company details, directors, address, bank account and a description of the activity. Each tax authority sets its own list.
  4. File the application in each country, normally in the local language. Some countries may require a fiscal representative depending on where your company is based; confirm your case with an adviser.
  5. Receive the number and the filing calendar. Each country sets its own filing frequency.
  6. Enter the number in Seller Central under your VAT settings so Amazon uses it for your transactions.

Timing and common mistakes

Timings depend on each tax authority and are not immediate, so ask your adviser for an estimate per country before sending stock. The most common mistakes are:

  • Enabling Pan-European storage before you have the number, which can force you to regularise transactions.
  • Registering only in your home country and forgetting the others.
  • Not filing periodic returns once you have the number, even when there are no sales.
  • Confusing OSS with a local registration.

What comes after registration

A number brings periodic returns in each country and, depending on the case, informational returns. If you import goods from outside the EU, you will also need an EORI number for customs. Keep your bookkeeping ready to separate transactions by country.

If you sell through an Estonian OÜ

An Estonian company that holds stock in Germany, France, Italy or Spain needs registration in those countries in addition to its Estonian VAT. At Data Biz we handle VAT registrations in Estonia, Germany, France, Italy and Spain and file the returns. See our page on EU VAT returns for ecommerce or read our guide to choosing a VAT adviser for Amazon.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need the number if I only have one product in the warehouse? Yes, according to industry guides, registration depends on stock being in the country, not on volume.

Does OSS avoid local registration? No. OSS covers distance sales to consumers; stock stored in another country requires its own registration.

How much does registration cost? It depends on the country, whether you need a fiscal representative and your adviser. Ask for a breakdown by country.

Sources and review

Usual countries and registration where stock is held: Vivir en Europa, Pan-European tax guide for Amazon sellers. Amazon’s VAT service: Amazon VAT registration handbook. Check requirements and timings with each country’s tax authority. Reviewed on 1 October 2026.

Official sources: European Commission, VAT One Stop Shop and how to declare and pay in OSS.

Customer reviews: read what clients say about Data Biz on Trustpilot.

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