I am located outside of the European Union but I will arrange a local pickup at your warehouse in NL. Why do I have to pay sales tax ?

Q: I am located outside of the European Union but I will arrange a local pickup at your warehouse in NL. Why do I have to pay sales tax ?

How the sales tax works (for non-EU exports) Because we are located in the Netherlands (EU) and you are based in the USA (non-EU), EU tax law requires us to charge Dutch sales tax (VAT) at first when you arrange a local pickup or your own carrier. Why? We are only allowed to exempt the VAT if we can prove to the Dutch tax authorities that the goods have physically left the EU. This is a strict legal requirement — we must be able to show an export document or a “proof of export” that confirms the goods crossed the border. How does this work for you? You pay the invoice including sales tax (VAT). Once your carrier (FedEx, DHL, UPS, or your private transporter) has transported the goods out of the EU, they will provide you with a cross-border document. You send us this document as proof of export. As soon as we receive it, we refund you the full VAT amount. Important: This is not just our policy — it’s required by EU tax law and is checked in audits by the tax authorities. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation.

Q: I am located outside of the European Union but I will arrange a local pickup at your warehouse in NL. Why do I have to pay sales tax ?

How the sales tax works (for non-EU exports) Because we are located in the Netherlands (EU) and you are based in the USA (non-EU), EU tax law requires us to charge Dutch sales tax (VAT) at first when you arrange a local pickup or your own carrier. Why? We are only allowed to exempt the VAT if we can prove to the Dutch tax authorities that the goods have physically left the EU. This is a strict legal requirement — we must be able to show an export document or a “proof of export” that confirms the goods crossed the border. How does this work for you? You pay the invoice including sales tax (VAT). Once your carrier (FedEx, DHL, UPS, or your private transporter) has transported the goods out of the EU, they will provide you with a cross-border document. You send us this document as proof of export. As soon as we receive it, we refund you the full VAT amount. Important: This is not just our policy — it’s required by EU tax law and is checked in audits by the tax authorities. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation.

I am located outside of the European Union but I will arrange a local pickup at your warehouse in NL. Why do I have to pay sales tax ?

Category: before I buy

How the sales tax works (for non-EU exports)

Because we are located in the Netherlands (EU) and you are based in the USA (non-EU), EU tax law requires us to charge Dutch sales tax (VAT) at first when you arrange a local pickup or your own carrier.

Why?
We are only allowed to exempt the VAT if we can prove to the Dutch tax authorities that the goods have physically left the EU. This is a strict legal requirement — we must be able to show an export document or a “proof of export” that confirms the goods crossed the border.

How does this work for you?

You pay the invoice including sales tax (VAT).
Once your carrier (FedEx, DHL, UPS, or your private transporter) has transported the goods out of the EU, they will provide you with a cross-border document.
You send us this document as proof of export.
As soon as we receive it, we refund you the full VAT amount.

Important: This is not just our policy — it’s required by EU tax law and is checked in audits by the tax authorities. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation.

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