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Registering for VAT in Germany

To complete your German VAT registration, we'll need you to provide us with some documents and information. The tax authority requests these things to confirm your details and as proof that you're actively doing business.

In some cases, we may need more or different things than are listed here.

What we need from you

Company Documents

Additional Information

  • A link to your business website
  • A short description of your products
  • A short description of your business model and activity
  • A warehouse agreement or contract
  • Your estimated turnover (this year and next)
  • Intrastat declarations (if needed)

Providing Evidence for Amazon Seller Platform (Germany)

To verify your Amazon Seller account for the German marketplace, you can submit one of the following: 

Option 1: A seller certificate issued by Amazon Seller Support that clearly displays your Amazon.de store and the registered business or sole trader name. 

Option 2 (if no certificate is available): Submit the following screenshots instead: 

  • A live Amazon.de storefront
  • Your FBA settings with Germany (DE) enabled
  • The Send & Replenish page (stage 2) showing a German warehouse
  • Your Amazon.de merchant token
  • The Amazon.de Seller Central dashboard 

          Make sure all screenshots are clear and legible, and that they show the relevant details.

          Additional Documentation for US-Based Companies 

          If you're based in the United States, you must provide additional tax documentation to support your application. This includes a valid IRS Form 6166, or a copy of the completed Form 8802 and proof of payment submitted to the IRS.

           VAT in Germany

          VAT Rate
          Standard 19%
          Reduced 7%
          Zero 0%

          Tax Authority: Bundeszentralamt für Steuern (BZSt) / Federal Central Tax Office
          Estimated Registration Timeline: 12 Weeks

          German VAT returns are filed monthly, quarterly or annually, depending on your sales volume.

          German VAT Numbers

          When you register for VAT in Germany, you’ll be given a local tax number and a VAT number. Depending on where your business is registered and operates from, individual German federal states have authorised a dedicated local tax office that can register your business for VAT and assign a local tax number. For example, the Hannover tax office is responsible for UK registrants.  

          Once the local tax office has issued your local tax number, BZSt will automatically issue your VAT number. This usually happens 7-10 days after you receive your local number. 

          German VAT numbers start with DE and are followed by 9 digits. This number is validated on VIES and used to import and export. You'll also need this number to do business with other VAT-registered businesses in the EU.