What is One Stop Shop

If you're an Amazon seller in Europe, you've likely heard about One Stop Shop (OSS)—but what exactly is it, and do you need it?

The European Union introduced the OSS scheme in July 2021 to simplify VAT reporting for e-commerce sellers who sell cross-border within the EU. Understanding and registering for OSS is essential if you're fulfilling orders to multiple EU countries (primarily through Amazon FBA).

If you're selling on Amazon in Europe, understanding the difference between One Stop Shop (OSS) and traditional VAT registration is key to staying compliant and avoiding fines.

Many sellers ask: Can I use OSS and avoid registering for VAT in other countries?

The answer depends on whether you're based in the EU or outside (like the U.S.), and how you fulfill your orders.

What Is OSS and When Is It Enough?

OSS in a Nutshell

The One Stop Shop (OSS) scheme lets sellers:

• Report all B2C cross-border sales within the EU

• File one quarterly VAT return in a single EU country

• Avoid registering for VAT in every destination country

It's available to both EU-based and non-EU sellers.

EU-Based Sellers – When OSS Is Enough and When It's Not

You Can Use OSS If:

• You're based in an EU country

• You sell goods from your home country to consumers in other EU countries

• You do not store inventory in other EU countries

Example: A German seller ships directly from Germany to customers in France and Italy — OSS is enough.

You Need Local VAT Registration If:

• You store inventory in another EU country (e.g., through Amazon FBA in Poland, Spain, etc.)

• You use Pan-European FBA

Example: You're based in France, but your inventory is stored in Amazon warehouses in Italy and the Czech Republic. You must register for VAT in every country where stock is held.

Non-EU Sellers (e.g., U.S. Companies) – OSS and VAT Rules

You Can Use OSS If:

• You're a non-EU company selling to EU consumers

• You appoint an EU-based intermediary or fiscal representative

• You ship goods from one EU country to others (e.g., using Amazon FBA inside the EU)

Important: OSS does not apply if you ship from outside the EU (e.g., directly from the U.S. to EU customers).

You Need Local VAT Registration If:

• You import goods into the EU and sell them to EU consumers

• You store goods in any EU warehouse (e.g.,. Amazon FBA in Germany)

• You cross the €10,000 distance selling threshold

Example: A U.S. seller uses Amazon FBA in Germany to sell to France, Italy, and Spain — OSS can handle cross-border VAT, but the seller must still register for German VAT where goods are stored.

AMZ Guide – Grow Sales & Solve Account Issues in Europe

While VAT and OSS are crucial, they're just one piece of the puzzle. To succeed in Europe, you also need the right Amazon strategy and account health.

What AMZ Guide Can Help With:

• Setting up and managing Amazon Ads in Europe

• Helping boost sales through localized strategies

• Unblocking suspended accounts or listings

• Assisting with account health and platform disputes

If you're stuck with a blocked account or want to improve EU performance, AMZ Guide is your go-to team.

Minefield Navigator – Handle Compliance Like a Pro

Selling in Europe means dealing with more than just VAT. You must comply with product regulations, packaging laws, and language-specific labeling.

Minefield Navigator Helps With:

• Product compliance checks for EU regulations

• Generating correct product labels and warnings

• Monitoring EPR packaging rules in each country

• Making sure your product descriptions are compliant

Stay Online, Stay Compliant

Minefield Navigator helps prevent:

• Product takedowns

• Legal fines

• Customer complaints due to non-compliant packaging or claims

OSS Is a Powerful Tool, But Not Always Enough

The OSS scheme simplifies VAT, but it doesn't replace local VAT registration in every case — especially for sellers using Amazon FBA or storing inventory in multiple countries.

To succeed on Amazon in Europe:

• Use OSS where possible

• Register for local VAT when needed

• Let AMZ Guide grow your sales and keep your account healthy

• Use Minefield Navigator to master EU product compliance

Selling across Europe doesn't have to be a maze — not when you have the right tools.