Extended Producer Responsibility

What is EPR?

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) is a policy that holds makers of products accountable for their entire life cycle. It’s about more than just creating goods; it’s about taking responsibility for recycling or properly disposing of them once they’re no longer useful. This policy lets companies think about the environment when they design their products, leading to goods that are easier to fix, recycle, and kinder to the planet long after they’ve served their purpose.

Why do I need EPR?

In the EU, a European directive makes Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) mandatory for e-commerce sellers, directly impacting e-commerce businesses. By 2024, all EU countries will enforce EPR, making it essential for online sellers to adapt.

Compliance varies by country, but adhering to these laws isn’t optional—it’s a requirement for operating your e-commerce business within the European Union.

How does the EPR process work?

Typically, the EPR process involves registering with the right authorities, documentation and filings. EPR schemes usually require periodic reporting on the amount and type of packaging you put on the market.

That’s why you’ll have to categorize your products and packaging. Based on this data, you’ll pay fees that fund the collection, sorting and recycling of your (e.g.) packaging waste.

Remember, the specific steps can vary depending on the country, so always check the local regulations.

Why EPR matters

Protect the environment

EPR helps prevent waste and environmental damage by making producers accountable for their products from start to finish. This nudges them towards greener designs, safeguarding resources and the planet.

Capital support

EPR fees fund the recycling process, helping build the infrastructure needed to manage waste better. This support is essential for advancing eco-friendly technology and practices.

Internalise costs

EPR makes producers factor the environmental costs of their products into the selling price. This encourages sustainable innovation by having them pay for waste management, aligning their financial interests with environmental stewardship.

How does an EPR application work?

Indicate where you want to be EPR compliant

We can arrange it in any EU country.

We do the tricky paperwork and calculations

If you tell us what kind of products and packaging you work with.

Successful,
you are compliant!

Then you can get back to selling worry-free.

Want to outsource your EPR filings?

We’re happy to take on the task. All we need is information on the products you sell, and what packaging they come in.

What does Staxxer need?

Overview for each country

	Registering mandatory from	Name of the register	Additonal obligations on products	Maximum fine
Germany	0 g	LUCID	No	€200.000
France	0 g	ADEME	No	€100.000
Italy	300 kg	IVC	No	€2.000.000
Spain	0 g	ECOEMBES	Green Dot	No maximum
Belgium	300 kg	IVC	No	€2.000.000
Poland	0 g	BDO	BDO number on invoices	€220.000
United Kingdom	50.000/10.000 kg	NPWD/HMRC PPT	No	No maximum0
Czech Republic	>300 kg & >25 millon CZK	EKO-KOM	No	10.000.000 CZK
Austria	0 g	register with waste operator	No	€200.000
Sweden	0 g	Naturvårdsverket	No	No maximum

What happens if you don’t have EPR?

Legal pentalties
You could face legal action, including fines or other legal sanctions, for failing to comply with EPR regulations.
Financial fines
Non-compliance with EPR regulations may lead to financial penalties, impacting revenue and profitability.
Loss of repuation
Violating EPR regulations can damage reputation, leading to a loss of consumer trust and loyalty.
Barred from selling
In severe cases, you might be prohibited from selling products in a country if you consistently fail to adhere to EPR regulations.
Environmental impact
By not complying with EPR regulations, you can contribute to environmental harm through improper disposal or management of waste.

The benefits of outsourcing to Staxxer:

No fines and penalties
Count on us to ensure your EPR matters are handled correctly.
Worry-free selling
Don’t worry about being barred from selling in a country: we handle your compliance, so you can sell worry-free.
Enhanced reputation
Partnering with us can improve reputation, demonstrating their commitment to environmental responsibility and sustainability.
Save time
Staxxer handling compliance allows you to focus on core business activities, saving time and resources.
Expertise
By outsourcing compliance to us, you benefit from our expertise in EPR regulations, ensuring that all requirements are met efficiently and accurately.

We are a Belgian company with a webshop that also sells products to the Netherlands. For this we had to be in order with the VAT administration in NL. We came into contact with Staxxer and they take care of everything for us, from the VAT number to the quarterly declarations. The communication is very smooth but what struck me immediately was the user-friendly website. As a small independent company we find it very nice to be able to focus on our core business, knowing that part of our administration is in good hands with an external partner. Highly recommended!

Through Amazon DE, I sell to a large number of European countries. Each country has a different VAT rate and cost and sales figures. To get all the information correctly from Amazon took a lot of time, stress and headaches. Fortunately, now Staxxer does my German VAT declaration as well as those of the other European countries (OSS). Recently, they even settled my German waste tax EPR. In short: Staxxer makes my work a whole lot more fun. And they are reliable, transparent and nice too 🙂

Very satisfied with this VAT service provider. Ideal for companies active in marketplaces.

Recommend everyone to work with Staxxer in the field of VAT returns throughout Europe, this makes it easy, transparent and well arranged with the right contact. Highly recommended for these great guys!

Great service! Staxxer helped me with annoying VAT questions for Belgium. Special praise goes to Joke, really great service, thank you!

I have been using Staxxer’s services with Pedal Plate for a few years now. Saves me a lot of research work every month and administration makes it easy to continue adding new countries/markets. Excellent continuity too. Always quick response to my questions and completely well organized how work is taken over by others during holidays.

Staxxer has been helping me with my foreign tax returns in several countries in Europe for almost 2 years. The software connection with Amazon is very good, but especially the service they offer is excellent! They are always open to helping you and growing my business through Amazon has been a lot easier with Staxxer!

“Staxxer was the only party that perfectly matched our international growth ambitions and solving European OSS VAT administration.”

“Together you are stronger! Through our partnership with Staxxer, tomorrow’s e-commerce entrepreneurs can sell internationally without VAT worries.”

“With Staxcloud, we have an overview of our international sales and associated VAT obligations at a glance. The declaration is done with one click. The dashboard is fast, easy and correct. On top of that, the Staxxer team also offers outstanding service.”

Let's take a better look!

EPR regulations can be different in each EU country. Check the guides below for EPR regulations in a specific country.

EPR guide for Spain

Learn how Spain’s new EPR regulations for packaging impact e-commerce.

EPR guide for France

Learn all about EPR (Extended Producer Responsibility) in France, ensuring

EPR guide for Germany

Discover how to become compliant with the Extended Producer Responsibility

Get VAT advice from an expert

Thomas van Mossel
VAT consultant

Do you have a question?

If yours isn’t listed, give us a call.

Want to apply for a European VAT number?

Do you have inventory stored abroad because you sell through Amazon FBA, for example, or use a European fulfillment center? Then you need an European VAT registration in that country! Save yourself the paperwork and let us apply for your VAT registration.

Where can I use the VAT registration?

You can use the VAT number for any business purpose. For example, when selling through Amazon, Bol.com, Shopify or another platform. The number is also valid if you are going to do business locally that requires a European VAT number.

Want to outsource European VAT returns?

If you have a VAT registration abroad, you will also have to file VAT returns there. How often and when to do so, depends on the country. It can be monthly, or quarterly.

We understand that you don’t feel like doing all the VAT administration. So leave it to us: link your sales accounts to Staxcloud, so we can always accurately file your European VAT return. Then you won’t spend any more time on VAT returns.

Want your One Stop Shop (OSS) declaration done?

July 1, 2021, the One Stop Shop went into effect, also known as the One-Stop Shop system. Do you sell more than €10,000.- across borders every year? Through this new regulation, you declare your VAT of all the countries in which you do business at once. If you have all your stock in your country of residence, you no longer need a VAT number in those other countries. In the One Stop Shop declaration, you declare every cross-border sale within the EU.

That involves quite a bit of math. Especially if you sell through multiple platforms! We’ve come up with something on that: you can link all your sales channels (Amazon, Bol.com, Shopify and more) to Staxcloud. This way you always have all your VAT data at hand, and within 5 minutes you have your One Stop Shop declaration arranged. Staxcloud does the calculations, and our Staxxers handle the declaration further. Handy right?

In which countries can you do my VAT?

We can arrange VAT registration for you in any EU country, and do VAT returns for you in any EU country.

Don’t see your country listed on our product page? If so, contact support and we’ll see what we can do.

When do I need a VAT number?

You need a VAT number when you store stock in another EU country or when you go over a country’s threshold amount. You need to keep an eye on this: especially if you sell through marketplaces such as Amazon, Bol.com or Shopify. Not sure if you need a VAT number? Let’s have a chat. We can also apply for a VAT number for you.

What is the One Stop Shop (OSS)?

The One Stop Shop (OSS) arrangement allows you to declare your cross-border sales in one portal. For example, you no longer need VAT registration in every country unless you stock up there. Do you sell more than €10,000,- annually to other EU countries? Then you qualify for the One Stop Shop. Sign up for the One Stop Shop can be done through “My Tax Business”. Your sales should then be reported quarterly in your One Stop Shop declaration. Here you specify how much VAT you have to pay in each European country, depending on the local VAT rate of your products.

Am I required to register for the One Stop Shop (OSS)?

If you send more than €10.000,- annually across borders, you can use the One Stop Shop. Registration is not mandatory, but it makes VAT administration a whole lot easier. After all, you can declare all your sales in one portal, and no longer need foreign VAT numbers if you don’t have stock there.

In addition to One Stop Shop (OSS), do I need another VAT number?

If you declare your VAT through the One Stop Shop, but also have stock in another EU country, you still need a VAT number there. The One Stop Shop is primarily intended for marketplace sellers who ship from their (for example) Dutch stock to other countries. Want to save time and let us do your One Stop Shop declaration?

What about Amazon Pan-European FBA and VAT?

As a seller on Amazon, you have the choice to opt for Amazon FBA: this way, you distribute your inventory across Amazon’s European fulfillment centers in a snap. A good option if you want to go international! With FBA, your products also get to customers faster, and you have a better chance of winning the Buy Box. If you choose Amazon Pan European FBA, Amazon will distribute your inventory across several countries. Because you’re stocking up there, you need a VAT number in each of those countries. To make it a little easier for you, we’ve put those countries into one package. You get a VAT number for each Pan-European country, so you can start selling right away. Our package includes one:

German VAT number
Polish VAT number
Czech VAT number
French VAT number
Spanish VAT number
Italian VAT number

Are all the VAT numbers in? Then for only €339 per month we can ensure that you remain VAT compliant in these countries. That way, you no longer have to worry about your VAT, and you have more time left over to grow your business.

How can I cancel my subscription?

It will be a shame to see you go, but you can always end your subscription. After all, with Staxxer you are not stuck with anything, but simply pay per the work done. That way you always know where you stand.

You can let support@staxxer.com know you want to cancel.

Will my report be filed by a real person or AI?

Staxxers are real people. We speak your language and you can always ask whatever you want.

What are wholesale prices?

These prices are used to calculate movement of goods. This is a price you pay to buy a product, here you can include shipping and other costs, for example.

Wholesale prices are purchase prices. Among other things, these prices are used for VAT calculations of goods movements. A wholesale price is the price you pay to buy a product. You can also add other costs (such as shipping costs). Therefore, wholesale prices are not the same as purchase prices.

What do I need wholesale prices for?

We need the wholesale prices to calculate VAT on movements of goods. For example, when products move from Dutch stock to a German warehouse, this must be declared in your VAT return. These goods have a value, the wholesale price. You enter these in your CPI return.

What are tariff numbers?

A tariff is a tax on imported goods, and the tariff number, also called a tariff code or HS code, gives customs officials more information about what kind of item is being imported. The standard code is a six-digit number, but some countries have codes of 8 or 10 digits.