Many non-EU countries require foreign businesses to register for VAT or GST when selling goods or services locally, importing products, or storing inventory in the country.

VAT or GST registration may be required in countries such as:

• United Kingdom (UK VAT)

• Norway (VAT / VOEC scheme)

• Switzerland (Swiss VAT)

• Turkey (Turkish VAT)

• Canada (GST/HST)

• Australia (GST)

• New Zealand (GST)

• Japan (Consumption Tax – JCT)

• South Africa (VAT)

• Gulf States (UAE & Saudi Arabia VAT)

Each jurisdiction has different thresholds and compliance rules. InterVAT assesses your cross-border activities and determines your registration obligations.

Turkey requires VAT registration for foreign companies conducting taxable transactions locally or importing goods.

Turkey also has specific VAT rules for digital services supplied by foreign companies to Turkish consumers.

InterVAT supports businesses with Turkish VAT registration and local compliance requirements.

Yes. We assist online sellers and marketplaces with:

• EU OSS registration

• Distance selling VAT compliance

• Amazon FBA VAT registration

• Cross-border VAT reporting

Our services ensure your e-commerce business remains VAT compliant within the EU.

You can contact us through our website or complete our request form. We provide a free assessment of your VAT registration and compliance requirements.

The processing time varies by country and local tax authorities. On average, VAT registration in Europe takes several weeks to several months. InterVAT manages the entire process and communicates with tax authorities on your behalf.

The cost of international VAT registration varies per country and depends on factors such as fiscal representation, local compliance requirements, and business activities. Fees differ across EU countries like Germany, France, Spain, and Italy, as well as non-EU jurisdictions such as the United Kingdom, Norway, Switzerland, Turkey, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and South Africa.

For e-commerce businesses selling via Amazon, Zalando, or Shopify, additional VAT or GST filing obligations may apply. InterVAT provides a transparent cost analysis based on your international expansion strategy.

Foreign businesses must register for VAT in South Africa when:

• Supplying electronic services to South African customers

• Importing goods

• Exceeding the VAT registration threshold

The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has specific requirements for non-resident VAT registration.

InterVAT supports VAT registration and ongoing compliance in South Africa.

Yes. Since Brexit, the UK operates its own VAT system separate from the EU.

Foreign businesses must register for UK VAT if they:

• Store goods in the UK

• Import goods into the UK

• Sell to UK customers via Amazon, Zalando, or Shopify

• Act as importer of record

InterVAT assists with UK VAT registration, VAT returns, and ongoing compliance for non-resident companies.

Online sellers using Amazon (FBA), Zalando, or Shopify may trigger VAT or GST obligations in multiple jurisdictions when:

• Storing inventory in EU countries

• Importing goods into the UK, Norway, or Switzerland

• Selling to customers in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, or South Africa

Marketplace sellers often face complex cross-border VAT compliance rules. Intervat supports global e-commerce companies with VAT registration, OSS reporting, local VAT returns, and fiscal representation where required.

Several Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries have implemented VAT systems.

For example:

• United Arab Emirates (UAE VAT)

• Saudi Arabia (KSA VAT)

Foreign companies may need VAT registration when:

• Importing goods into the UAE or KSA

• Making local taxable supplies

• Storing inventory

• Exceeding mandatory thresholds

VAT rules in the Gulf region differ significantly from EU systems. InterVAT provides VAT registration and compliance support in GCC jurisdictions.

InterVAT supports businesses with EU VAT registration, fiscal representation, and VAT compliance services across Europe. We assist companies in obtaining foreign VAT numbers, filing periodic VAT returns, and complying with local VAT legislation in multiple EU member states. Our services help prevent penalties, delays, and compliance risks in cross-border trade.

InterVAT supports you during VAT audits and communicates directly with local tax authorities. We provide documentation, explanations, and professional representation to safeguard your business.

In certain EU countries, non-established businesses are required to appoint a fiscal representative. A fiscal representative assumes legal VAT responsibilities towards the local tax authorities. InterVAT can act as your fiscal representative and ensure full compliance with national VAT laws.

Japan operates a Consumption Tax (JCT) system instead of traditional VAT.

Foreign businesses may need JCT registration when:

• Supplying digital services to Japanese customers

• Exceeding local sales thresholds

• Establishing a taxable presence in Japan

Japan has complex compliance requirements for non-resident companies.

InterVAT assists with Japan Consumption Tax registration and compliance management.

The EU One Stop Shop (OSS) allows businesses to report distance sales within the EU through a single VAT return. However, local VAT registration remains mandatory if you store goods locally, import products, or conduct domestic transactions.

For example, Amazon FBA sellers storing inventory in Germany require German VAT registration. Similarly, businesses trading in Canada, Australia, Japan, or South Africa may need GST or local VAT registration.

InterVAT determines the most efficient VAT structure for your cross-border operations.

Norway introduced the VOEC (VAT on E-Commerce) scheme for low-value goods sold to Norwegian consumers.

However, standard Norwegian VAT registration is required when:

• Storing goods in Norway

• Importing goods above VOEC thresholds

• Operating with local inventory

Foreign companies may also need a VAT representative in Norway.

InterVAT provides Norway VAT registration, VOEC registration, and fiscal representation services.

Foreign companies may be required to register for GST when:

• Selling goods to local customers

• Operating e-commerce stores targeting local consumers

• Importing goods into the country

• Exceeding local turnover thresholds

• Supplying digital services

Canada requires GST/HST registration for non-resident businesses exceeding revenue thresholds.
Australia and New Zealand impose GST obligations for foreign online sellers supplying goods or digital services to local consumers.

InterVAT supports non-resident businesses with full GST registration and ongoing compliance in these jurisdictions.

Swiss VAT registration is required for foreign companies exceeding the global turnover threshold of CHF 100,000 from taxable supplies in Switzerland.

Registration is typically required when:

• Importing goods into Switzerland

• Supplying goods locally

• Selling to Swiss customers via online platforms

A Swiss fiscal representative is mandatory for non-Swiss companies.

InterVAT acts as fiscal representative and manages full Swiss VAT compliance.

Foreign companies must register for VAT in Germany when they:

• Store goods in Germany (e.g. Amazon FBA warehouses)

• Import goods into Germany

• Make local taxable supplies within Germany

• Exceed EU distance selling thresholds without OSS coverage

• Sell via Amazon, Zalando, or Shopify with inventory in Germany

• Act as importer of record in Germany

Failure to register on time may result in VAT penalties, blocked marketplace accounts, and customs delays.

InterVAT provides VAT registration, fiscal representation, and VAT compliance services in multiple EU countries, including Germany, France, the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, and others. Contact us for a full overview of the countries where we support international businesses.

You typically need a foreign VAT registration if you:

• Store goods in another country (e.g. Amazon FBA, Zalando)

• Make local supplies

• Import goods

• Organize an event

Our VAT specialists assess your situation and determine your EU VAT obligations.

Yes. We prepare and file:

• Monthly, bi-monthly, four-monthly, six-monthly and quarterly VAT returns

• Annual VAT returns

• Intrastat reports

• EC Sales Lists (ESL)

• OSS returns

We ensure timely and accurate VAT reporting in all relevant EU jurisdictions.