Do you need a German VAT number?
First of all, you need to apply for a VAT number if you are going to store or have stock in Germany, such as through Amazon FBA.
You may also need to have VAT registration when the company sells to Germany. As of July 1, 2021, new VAT regulations are in effect. When you sell goods directly from a country to an individual in another country, you may face a VAT registration requirement. There is a joint threshold amount of €10,000 turnover in sales to individuals in other countries.
Example: if in a calendar year you sell €6,000 euros to Belgium and €4,000 in Germany, you will have exceeded the threshold amount for the next sale. If you do not sign up for the One Stop Shop, you have a VAT registration requirement in each country to which the distance sales go.
Your German VAT number is in good hands
You will have a personal point of contact for tax questions and doing VAT returns in Germany. You will be guided through the process, because going abroad is a big step and VAT is very complex for many. So you are supported to avoid negative consequences such as fines and lawsuits. This is because in Germany, as "Geschäftsführer" you are directly liable for mistakes in VAT. This means that in the worst case, you have to answer personally to the judge. Therefore, it is good to find the right partner to reduce the risks of negative consequences.
Did you know that we can also help you apply for aGerman phone number or return address?
Do you ship your products from Germany (for example, through Fulfillment by Amazon)?
Our partner helps to correctly declare the sales in the VAT returns. Amazon is a tricky platform for some to understand on an administrative level. It may happen that you have unintentionally checked an option that makes your stock not only in Germany but also in other countries. This in turn brings consequences with the VAT registration requirement in these countries. Through the Dexport partner network, your data will not just be run through an automated program to have the turnover calculated. The files will always be personally reviewed and you will be informed of any points of attention.
Do you need to address questions from the German tax authorities?
It is quite normal for the German tax authorities to ask questions about VAT registration obligations and VAT returns filed in Germany. Our network has direct lines of communication with the responsible officials of the Finanzamten, the local German tax authorities, throughout Germany. This allows us to engage directly with various contacts to resolve ambiguities with the Finanzamt.
Starting in Germany?
Launch your webshop with the shop launch!
Are you planning to start a German webshop? The German e-commerce market is enormously interesting for international growth strategy because of its proximity and size. However, a larger market also means more competitors and on top of that, German consumers are very critical. They prefer to buy from German webshops and place great value on legal documents and seals of approval. It is therefore important that your webshop has a German look and feel.
To best address this, we have developed the all-in service, dexport Shop Launch. This includes a translation of your shop, adapted to the German market, including hosting of legal documents and a German return address for a local appearance. Extensions such as a German phone number and seal of approval are possible. In some cases, a customized approach is most effective. We advise you to make the right choices.
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.de domain name
We take care of hosting your .de domain through a German provider. Should you already have .de hosting or choose to place your German website on a .com/the subdomain, you can of course do so.
There are several advantages to using both a .com and a .de domain for German consumers:
- International recognition: A .com domain is recognized worldwide and can contribute to greater reach and a more international appeal.
- Local recognition: A .de domain is considered local and trusted by German consumers. It shows that you specifically target the German market and understand local needs, which can lead to higher engagement and conversion.
- Search engine optimization (SEO): A .de domain name can help improve local SEO. Search engines such as Google often prioritize local domains when showing search results to users in Germany. This can lead to higher visibility of and more organic traffic to your website.
- International recognition: A .com domain is recognized worldwide and can contribute to greater reach and a more international appeal.
German AI clone of your website
The AI-clone feature translates your website in a smart and efficient way. After cloning your online store, you retain the flexibility to customize each page and add SEO-optimized content, further optimizing your visibility and performance in the German market.
If you prefer a custom-built German online store, our consulting team is here to help. We support you with detailed checklists and expert advice to create a website that is perfectly tailored to the German e-commerce market.
German postal address
Reliability is the greatest asset for German consumers (also business target group) when making purchases. Listing a German mailing address gives German consumers the feeling of having landed on a reliable and secure German website. Renting a German address is for the appearance of the German look and feel on your website, the German address, along with a German phone number is a cost-effective way to show that your business is fully geared to the German market.
You can establish a presence in Germany by renting a mailing address through us. This gives you access to a German virtual office (a German mailing or return address, with a phone number if desired). In practice, it is also often possible to open a German bank account using a German mailing address. You can list the German address on your website.
EPR and/or WEEE registration
In Germany, you have to comply with EPR (Extended Producer Responsibility) registration when you put packaging on the market. This means you have to register your packaging through the LUCID platform. You also need WEEE registration if you sell electronics. Through us you can request an instructional email with all the necessary information. In addition, you will receive a discount on joining a Dual System, allowing you to comply with German packaging legislation efficiently and economically.
Legal Certainty Website
It is important that your business complies with all tax and legal requirements. This will help you avoid legal notices (claims) and make a trustworthy impression on German consumers. Thanks to our service and the Dexport partner network, your online store will always be legally up to date! In addition to the German terms and conditions and privacy policy, you must also include an Impressum (a type of legal notice) and a Widerrufsbelehrung (return policy) on your site.
With our legal services, you’re on solid legal ground, even when selling on German marketplaces. We ensure that your website and related documents comply with strict German consumer protection laws. Plus, for a modest monthly fee, we host your legal documents and keep them up to date at all times.
