VAT rates and jurisdiction on Amazon international sales – Part 2

Online selling is international by its very nature, and this may sometimes lead to confusion in sellers who aren’t able to clear up their doubts not even turning to their accountants for advice. Let’s say it clearly, sellers and accountants speak different languages.

Since this is a guide for sellers, we will strictly avoid bureaucratic jargon and we will use practical examples.

In case you still haven’t read it, the first part of this guide explains how to avoid taxation errors on Amazon sales. 

In addition, as of July 1, 2021, a major VAT reform in Europe came into effect, introducing important changes especially for those who operate online and sell their products abroad. We recommend you read the updated article to better understand who can take advantage of the new “One Stop Shop” (OSS) regime to sell across Europe more easily.

1. VAT distance sales thresholds (in effect until 01/07/2021)

A customer has bought one of my products from France, which VAT rate must I apply?

Before responding to this question, let’s take a look at some important concepts.

1.1 What are VAT distance sales thresholds and how do they work

The VAT distance sales thresholds are the limits to the annual revenues  imposed by each European country, that, when exceeded, oblige the seller to open a VAT position and pay taxes in that country. It is important to note that only the revenues deriving from sales towards individual customers are counted.

In case the thresholds were exceeded during the preceding year, the same criteria must be applied for the current year.

1.2 What happens when the thresholds are exceeded

Looking back to the first question, the answer is not unique.

As long as your revenue remains below the French distance sales threshold, you will apply the Italian Vat whenever a French customer buys one of your products.

Instead, starting on the day your overall sales towards French customers exceed the threshold, you will have to apply the French VAT rate and file a tax return as well as pay VAT in France.

Subscribe to Newsletter

Articles, mini-guides and updates on Amazon world from leading insiders.

I accept the privacy policy

1.3 What are the values of VAT sales protection thresholds

Let’s see the limits in the various European states in the table below:

(Table updated to April 2018)

Click on the following link to see threshold updates:

https://europa.eu/youreurope/business/taxation/vat/cross-border-vat/index_en.htm#withintheeusellgoodsfinalconsumer

2. Tax at consumer’s country option

Let’s analyze a particular case, which is very important, however, because it often occurs to Amazon sellers that use the pan-European program to store their goods abroad.

It is also possibile for a seller that has not yet exceeded the distance sales thresholds to opt for VAT at consumer’s country. This option can be chosen in the VO panel of the VAT declaration.

If your company is based in a country with high VAT rates in Europe, it could seem quite convenient to apply the VAT of consumer’s country which would be lower. But, considering the obligation to open VAT registrations and the extra costs associated with filing VAT returns abroad, it’s not really worth the trouble.

On the other hand, an Amazon FBA seller that activates the pan-European program and already has a VAT registration abroad necessary in order to store his goods, may find it convenient, at that point, to opt for tax at country of arrival, even without having exceeded the VAT distance sales thresholds.

2.1 Amazon VAT calculation service

The moment you decide to activate Amazon’s VAT calculation service you must keep in mind that:

3. Local VAT jurisdiction on distance sales

When selling on Amazon, it is possible that your products be sold to foreign customers, even if you only sell on the Italian platform. For this reason it is important to know how the local European VAT jurisdictions work.

3.1 In country of departure of shipment

Sales to private customers are locally relevant in the European country where the product is situated at the time of purchase (that is to say, where the warehouse from which the shipment departs is situated), if the seller has not exceeded the distance sales threshold of the buyer’s country.

3.2 In country of arrival of the shipment

The sales will be subject to VAT jurisdiction of the European country of the private buyer if the seller has opted for tax at country of destination, or in case he has exceeded the distance sales threshold in that country.

4. VAT Rate

Once the country of jurisdiction has been established, we can proceed to determine the VAT rate to be applied to the transaction.

First let’s see when VAT is not applied:

4.1 Flat-tax rate scheme

For flat-tax rate scheme sellers all the transactions involving foreign customers, whether private or business, will be considered as internal operations, and therefore VAT will not be applied.

4.2  Extra-UE sales

Sales to customers outside the European Union are not subject to VAT.

4.3 Standard and reduced VAT rates

In all the other cases the VAT rate of the country of jurisdiction will apply. The VAT rate applied may be either standard or reduced depending on the type of product.

For example, the standard rate in Italy is 22%, but there is a reduced rate of 10% on food products and a 4% reduced rate on basic necessity products.

At this point, you have all the info you need to define the local jurisdiction and the VAT rates for all your sales. To find out how to fill in your daily takings book continue reading part 3 of the guide.