Frequently Asked Questions

We act as your fiscal representative and VAT compliance partner so you can sell in Europe, Australia, and Singapore without opening a local entity. We obtain VAT numbers, file your returns (VAT/OSS/IOSS, ESL/Intrastat, SAF-T & equivalents), liaise with tax authorities, and guide you on customs and invoicing rules.

• Non-EU companies (Hong Kong, Singapore, Dubai, Australia, and EU companies) selling B2B or B2C in the EU, Singapore, or Australia.
• E-commerce sellers on Amazon / Shopify / marketplaces.
• B2B sellers.
• Importers / distributors holding stock in the EU without a local subsidiary.
• Clients who want to do reverse charge and improve their cashflow.

Speed and simplicity: faster market entry, fewer fixed costs, and no corporate tax compliance for a local subsidiary. You keep operations lean while staying fully compliant on VAT and customs.

25+ jurisdictions with one coordinated process and a single point of contact.

• VAT / OSS / IOSS registration and filings (monthly/quarterly/annual per country rules)
• Intrastat & EC Sales Lists where applicable
• Correspondence with tax authorities (including audits and reviews)
• Deregistration support if required

• Government fees, bank guarantees, and deposits required by authorities
• Customs duties, demurrage, storage, or carrier fees
• Extraordinary advisory beyond scope (billed at hourly rate)

We’ll flag any out-of-scope items before work proceeds.

We support VAT settings and documentation alignment, make sure the right VAT rules apply per country, and prepare data so your filings match platform reports.

Yes. You’ll have a dedicated account manager coordinating all jurisdictions.

English, French, and Chinese for communications. We can receive and process payments in multiple currencies (EUR, USD, GBP, etc.) to keep things smooth.

• Pre-submission checks on data consistency
• Country-specific guidance on invoicing and documentation
• Proactive monitoring of legislative changes that affect you

These measures don’t eliminate risk but significantly reduce it when data is accurate and on time.

We manage communications with authorities, request supporting documents, and respond on your behalf. Support time is billed per the pricing schedule.

You are the official taxpayer in each jurisdiction. We act as your representative and processor, based on the data you provide. You remain responsible for the accuracy and truthfulness of all information.

Strict access control, secure storage, and disclosure to authorities only as required by law — with prior notice to you when feasible.

No. To avoid double filing and data inconsistencies, we require exclusivity for the VAT services covered in the contract.

Either party may terminate with written notice (per contract terms). Immediate termination is possible in cases of fraud, material misrepresentation, or repeated non-cooperation. All outstanding amounts must be settled before termination takes effect.

• Scope & country selection
• Document checklist and KYC
• Submission to tax authorities
• VAT number issuance
• Filing calendar setup and periodic submissions

Every country has its own VAT system and hence its own national VAT number. When you sell from one EU country to another, if you hit the threshold of the local country, it is expected that you need to register the local VAT number.

You can verify the validity of your VAT number on your country’s official website. Alternatively, use the VIES VAT number validation service provided by the European Commission.

VIES VAT validation

Once the company has the VAT number, it can start doing business in the target country and charge VAT on every sale. VAT returns or declarations for intra-community trade have to be done regularly.

Some jurisdictions require official guarantees for VAT registration or compliance. Amounts and conditions are set by local authorities; we’ll coordinate, but the decision is theirs.

• Provide the best advice on supply and purchase which suits your business needs and growth
• Warehouse locations / standard of invoices / reverse charge
• Manage your VAT and customs issues such as VAT returns and Intrastat
• Ensure compliance with regulations
• Provide training sessions to your employees
• Save time and costs in business expansion on complex international tax rules

The EC Sales List (ESL) is typically filed monthly or quarterly and records the sales and transfers of goods and services between VAT-registered companies in different EU countries. Intrastat, on the other hand, tracks the physical movement of goods within the EU.

VAT credit: also known as input VAT credit, a mechanism that lets businesses offset the VAT paid on purchases against the VAT collected on sales. It avoids double taxation and reduces overall VAT liability.

VAT debit: also known as output VAT, the VAT amount businesses charge on their sales. It represents the VAT liability of the business, collected from customers on behalf of the tax authorities.

Introduction: the movement of goods from one EU member state to another — subject to intra-EU VAT rules.

Expédition (Shipment): the movement of goods from an EU member state to a destination outside the EU — subject to export VAT rules and customs procedures.

We do! We also offer GST registration and GST return services in Australia and Singapore. Common scenarios where you may need a GST number include:

• Business registration: starting a business required to collect and remit GST.
• Threshold exceedance: reaching or exceeding the turnover threshold.
• Interstate trade: supplying across states or regions within a GST country.
• E-commerce & online selling: often required regardless of turnover.
• Import and export: some countries require it for customs and tax.
• Voluntary registration: register even below threshold to claim input tax credits.

Australia — ATO GST · Singapore — IRAS GST

Usually it has to be filed on a monthly basis. Depending on the sales and purchases of the VAT-registered company in another EU country, a local VAT number might be required if the threshold is met.

Intrastat filings are reports that track the movement of goods within the EU, allowing tax authorities to monitor trade between countries and prevent potential fraud. Despite the lack of borders, customs declarations are mandatory. We handle all the necessary filings to ensure compliance.

In some countries, you must appoint a tax representative to comply with filing requirements. A VAT declaration is a periodic report detailing taxable sales, purchases, and VAT calculations for a period. It ensures compliance and determines the VAT liability or refund owed, including output VAT, input VAT, and any adjustments or exemptions.

By the 5th of each month for the prior period:

• Sales invoices (with/without VAT)
• Purchase invoices (with/without VAT)
• Import/transport docs (e.g., IMA, CMR, consignment notes)

Provide both Excel (structured) and PDF (source documents), organized in the folders we specify.

You must confirm “NIL” in writing. If we receive nothing by the 5th, we may file a NIL return; late data will roll to the next period. Any penalties due to late data remain your responsibility.

Consequences vary by jurisdiction and may include:

• Late filing penalties — fixed or a percentage of VAT due, increasing the longer the return is unfiled.
• Interest on late payments — accruing from the original due date until paid.
• Loss of VAT-related benefits — e.g., inability to claim input VAT credits, or registration reviewed/revoked.
• Increased scrutiny and audits — more frequent audits or investigations.
• Legal consequences — further penalties, fines, or even criminal charges for persistent non-compliance.

The EC Sales List (ESL) is an EU reporting requirement for businesses making cross-border sales of goods and certain services to other VAT-registered businesses in different EU member states. It informs tax authorities about these intra-EU transactions.

VAT-registered businesses in one EU member state must submit an EC Sales List if they have supplied goods or services to VAT-registered customers in other EU member states.

Typically 2–6 weeks, depending on the country and document readiness. We’ll confirm current timelines as part of onboarding.

IOSS (Import One-Stop Shop): a mechanism for declaring and paying VAT on goods imported from non-EU countries. It lets businesses collect and declare VAT at the time of purchase, simplifying customs clearance and delivery.

OSS (One-Stop Shop): a regime enabling EU businesses to collect, declare, and pay VAT on sales within the EU via a single declaration in their Member State of identification.

EU One-Stop Shop (official)

If the good is imported to the EU from a non-EU country and its value is less than €150, IOSS can be used. VAT due is included in the price paid by the customer, and VAT on importation is exempted. If the value exceeds €150, traditional VAT applies.

To register for your OSS number, you typically go through the tax authority or portal of the EU member state in which you are established or have a fixed establishment.

If you sell as a non-EU business and the marketplace is the deemed supplier for VAT purposes, you may not need your own IOSS number — the marketplace may handle IOSS registration and VAT on your behalf.

The IOSS lets marketplaces collect and remit VAT for low-value consignments (≤ €150) imported into the EU. Arrangements vary — some marketplaces handle it, others require you to. Review the terms or contact the marketplace directly.

An IOSS intermediary is a third-party provider that assists with IOSS registration and VAT compliance. A business established outside the EU must appoint an intermediary to deal with IOSS.

No — they are separate schemes for different purposes.

• IOSS: mainly for distance selling of goods ≤ €150 to EU customers; VAT collected at point of sale. Mandatory for non-EU businesses opting to use it.
• OSS: for cross-border B2C services and distance sales of goods > €150 within the EU; a single VAT return in your home member state.

Depending on your model, you may need IOSS, OSS, or both.

While both are used for customs and trade, they serve different functions. EORI numbers identify economic operators for customs activities; VAT numbers are primarily used for VAT registration and reporting.

Any company within the EU that exports or imports goods to or from outside the EU, as well as companies based outside the EU that trade within the EU, require an EORI number.

You might need help from a professional to register correctly. If your business is not already registered for VAT in an EU member state, you will need to register for VAT in one of the member states first.

• Proof of identity — passport, national ID, or driver’s license.
• Proof of legal entity — certificate of incorporation, articles of association, or trade registry extract.
• VAT registration documents — e.g., VAT registration certificate, if applicable.
• Business registration documents — relevant licensing/registration.
• Proof of address — utility bill, lease agreement, or bank statement.
• Customs-related documents — e.g., customs warehousing contract for specific authorizations.
• Power of attorney — if a representative applies on the business’s behalf.

All EORI numbers can be checked on the official European Commission website.

EU EORI number validation

Both let businesses claim VAT refunds in EU member states, with key distinctions:

Scope & applicability

• 13th Directive: for businesses located outside the EU with no EU VAT registration, claiming refunds on eligible expenses in EU member states.
• EU VAT Refund Directive (2008/9/EC): for businesses established within the EU, claiming refunds on expenses in other EU member states.

Application process

• 13th Directive: submit a refund application to the member state where VAT was paid, usually on a specific form.
• EU VAT Refund Directive: a simplified electronic process through your home country’s tax authority.

13th Directive (EUR-Lex) · Directive 2008/9/EC (EUR-Lex)

Non-EU businesses can claim refunds on directly related business expenses incurred in EU member states. Common examples include:

• Accommodation — hotel stays or rentals for business.
• Meals — restaurant bills during business activities.
• Transportation — airfare, train, taxi, car rentals for business.
• Trade shows / exhibitions — booth rentals, registration fees, materials.
• Professional services — legal, consulting, or marketing services.
• Business entertainment — bona fide business entertainment.

Requirements vary by country, but commonly include:

• Valid VAT invoices — originals with supplier/business details, date/number, description, VAT rate and amount.
• Proof of payment — bank or credit card statements.
• Import/export documentation — customs declarations, shipping documents, or proof of export.
• Proof of business purpose — itineraries, agendas, or contracts.
• VAT refund application form — provided by the tax authority.