Are there specific invoice requirements for VAT in different countries?

Question

On goods exported, are there specific invoice requirements for each country or is there a standard across all exported goods?

Answer

The EU directive implemented an invoicing requirement which should be followed by all EU member countries. The main information that the invoice should include are the same in every EU country.

Information required in all cases

  • Date of issue
  • Unique sequential number identifying the invoice
  • Supplier’s VAT identification number
  • Customer’s VAT identification number (if the customer is liable for the tax on the transaction)
  • Supplier’s full name & address
  • Customer’s full name & address
  • Description of quantity & type of goods supplied or type & extent of services rendered
  • Date of transaction or payment (if different from invoice date)
  • VAT rate applied
  • VAT amount payable
  • Breakdown of VAT amount payable by VAT rate or exemption
  • Unit price of goods or services – exclusive of tax, discounts or rebates (unless included in the unit price)

This question was asked as part of our ‘VAT overseas’ webinar which we ran with SimplyVAT:

https://opentoexport.com/webinars/exporters-need-know-vat-overseas/

About SimplyVAT

SimplyVAT aims to make cross border trading compliance simple. We help ecommerce sellers from all sales channels register for VAT and comply in all 28 EU countries as well as Canada.

Our ethos is to help businesses grow and sustain their ecommerce channels by educating them about their international VAT compliance obligations.

Bitesize Chunks

The Institute’s new series of Bitesize Chunks, in partnership with Simply VAT, take you through everything you need to know about VAT overseas:

  1. Module One: International VAT
  2. Module Two: International VAT Rules for the Supply of Goods
  3. Module Three: International VAT Rules for the Supply of Services
  4. Module Four: International VAT Recovery Rules in EU Member States

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