Key Takeaways
- Amazon shut down its free “VAT Services on Amazon” programme in October 2024. Over 200,000 sellers need independent VAT compliance providers.
- Any seller using Amazon FBA warehouses in Germany must be VAT-registered — there is no minimum sales threshold. Amazon can suspend accounts without valid VAT documentation.
- Monthly VAT returns must be filed by the 10th of the following month, including nil returns for months with zero sales.
- VATdesk offers German VAT filing by a licensed Steuerberater via DATEV for €59/month with €249 registration — no hidden per-transaction fees.
Information verified by VATdesk as of April 2026. Sources: BZSt, UStG, EU VAT Directive 2006/112/EC.
In October 2024, Amazon shut down its free "VAT Services on Amazon" programme. Over 200,000 third-party sellers who relied on this service now need to find — and pay for — an alternative provider. If you sell on Amazon.de, here's everything you need to know.
What Changed in October 2024?
Amazon's VAT Services programme handled VAT registration and monthly filing for sellers in up to 7 EU countries — for free. It was offered through third-party tax service providers embedded in Seller Central.
As of October 31, 2024, this programme no longer exists. Every seller who was enrolled now needs to:
- Find their own VAT compliance provider
- Transfer their existing VAT registrations
- Ensure uninterrupted monthly filings
⚠ If you haven't acted yet: You may already have missed filings. The Finanzamt will send penalty notices for late submissions. Contact a provider immediately to get back on track.
Do You Need German VAT Registration?
If you answer "yes" to any of these, you need a German VAT number:
- You use Amazon FBA in Germany — If Amazon stores your products in German warehouses (which is the default for Pan-EU), you must be VAT-registered
- You sell to German customers from another EU country and exceed the €10,000 combined EU distance selling threshold
- You're enrolled in Pan-EU or CEE programmes — Amazon distributes your inventory across multiple countries, each requiring registration
The threshold for foreign companies is €0. Unlike German domestic businesses (who have a €22,000 Kleinunternehmer threshold), foreign sellers must register from their very first taxable transaction.
What Amazon Requires From You
Amazon's compliance team will ask you for:
- VAT registration certificate — The official Bescheinigung from the Finanzamt, uploaded to Seller Central
- Valid VAT number — Your DE-prefixed USt-IdNr.
- Ongoing compliance — Amazon may periodically verify that your VAT filings are current
Failure to provide valid VAT documentation can result in listing suppression or account suspension.
Your Options: Choosing a VAT Provider
| Provider | Price (Germany) | Registration | Key Consideration |
|---|---|---|---|
| hellotax | €49–119/mo | €300 | Market leader, but 3.5/5 Trustpilot. Known billing issues. |
| countX | Quote-based | Included | Good product, Berlin-based. Registration delays reported. |
| Taxually | Quote-based | Varies | Poor reviews on Seller Central forums. Costs reportedly €4,000+. |
| AVASK | From €93/mo | From €150 | Self-serve model. Good for multi-country. |
| VATdesk | €59/mo | €249 | Licensed Steuerberater. Germany specialist. DATEV-filed. |
What to Look for in a Provider
- Licensed Steuerberater involvement — In Germany, only licensed tax advisors can file VAT returns on your behalf. Make sure your provider actually has one.
- DATEV filing — DATEV is the standard system used by German tax offices. Filings via DATEV are less likely to trigger inquiries.
- Transparent pricing — Beware hidden per-transaction fees, mandatory annual contracts, or surprise renewal charges.
- Language support — Can you actually communicate with your provider in your language?
- Speed — How quickly can they submit your registration and start filing?
Monthly Filing: What's Involved?
Each month, you need to:
- Report your German sales (net amounts at 19% or 7% VAT)
- Report any intra-community deliveries (0% VAT to other EU businesses)
- Report any input VAT (Vorsteuer) from German purchase invoices
- File the return by the 10th of the following month
With our service, you fill out a simple multilingual form with your data. We handle the rest.
Amazon Transaction Reports
Amazon provides several reports that help with VAT compliance:
- VAT Transactions Report — Download from Seller Central > Reports > Tax Document Library
- Date Range Report — More detailed, available under Reports > Payments
- Amazon VAT Calculation Service (VCS) — Generates VAT invoices automatically for your orders
Your VAT provider should be able to work with these reports to prepare your filings.
Related guides:
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