What is a VAT Number in Italy?
A VAT number in Italy is a tax identification number issued by the Italian tax authority, the Agenzia delle Entrate. In Italian, VAT is called IVA, which stands for Imposta sul Valore Aggiunto. An Italian VAT number allows your business to charge Italian VAT, reclaim eligible VAT, import goods and file VAT returns in Italy.
You may need a VAT number in Italy if your business sells, stores or imports goods in Italy. This is common for UK companies, non-EU sellers, Amazon FBA Italy businesses and e-commerce brands using Italy as a sales market or fulfilment location in the EU.
You will generally need a VAT number in Italy if you:
Import goods into Italy
Import products from outside the EU and sell them in Italy or across Europe. An Italian VAT number may be needed to declare VAT, reclaim eligible import VAT and stay compliant with Italian VAT rules.
Store inventory in Italy
For example through Amazon FBA Italy, local warehouses or third-party logistics providers. Holding stock in Italy can create an Italian VAT registration obligation.
Sell to Italian customers
From another EU or non-EU country under your own company name. A VAT number in Italy may be required when you sell directly to Italian customers.
Operate outside the OSS scheme
OSS can simplify VAT reporting for certain cross-border B2C sales in the EU. However, OSS does not replace an Italian VAT number if you store goods, import goods or have local VAT obligations in Italy.
Use Italy in your EU fulfillment strategy
Especially when using Pan-European FBA, multi-country warehousing or cross-border fulfilment structures. This is common for UK and non-EU companies expanding into Europe.
For international e-commerce sellers, OSS may help simplify EU VAT reporting across multiple countries. However, local VAT registration may still be required when your business has taxable activity in Italy.
Start
What we need from you
To process your Italian VAT registration efficiently, we require some basic information about your company and operations.
Company information
Company registration documents and official business details
Directors and shareholders
Basic information about company owners and management
Business activities
Information about what you sell and how your sales structure works.
Logistics setup
Details about where your goods are stored and how orders are fulfilled.
Authorization (power of attorney)
Required for us to submit the application on your behalf
Expected sales and start date
Estimated sales figures and when you plan to start selling in Italy.
VAT number
VAT number Italy, fully managed for your business
We make sure your Italian VAT registration is completed accurately and without unnecessary delays, helping you avoid issues with marketplaces or tax authorities.
Why it matters
A correct Italian VAT setup helps your business operate smoothly and remain compliant from day one.
Avoid rejected or delayed VAT applications
Stay compliant with Italian and EU VAT regulations
Support your Amazon FBA Italy or e-commerce operations
Reduce communication issues with the Italian tax office
Create a reliable structure for EU expansion
How we support you
Our specialists guide you through every step of the Italian VAT registration process.
Review your documents before submission
Communicate with the Italian tax authorities on your behalf
Assist with Amazon FBA and EU logistics structures
Advise on future VAT filings and OSS obligations
Get your Italian VAT number in four easy steps
1
Business details
Tell us about your company, sales channels, products, and logistics setup within Italy and the EU.
2
We prepare your VAT registration
Our team gathers the required information, reviews your documents, and prepares your Italian VAT registration application.
3
Submission
We submit the application on your behalf and manage communication with the Italian tax office (Agenzia delle Entrate).
4
Italian VAT number issued
Once approved, you receive your Italian VAT number and can start selling compliantly in Italy and across Europe.
VAT registration typically takes around
10-12 weeks
Important to know:
Obtaining an Italian VAT number is only the first step. Once registered, businesses are generally required to submit recurring VAT returns and remain compliant with Italian tax regulations.
Businesses selling cross-border within the EU may also need to comply with the EU-wide €10,000 distance selling threshold and OSS (One Stop Shop) obligations.
In certain cases, businesses trading goods within the EU may also need to submit Intrastat declarations in Italy.
Transferring or storing your own inventory in Italy - for example through Amazon FBA or a local warehouse - can create an immediate Italian VAT registration obligation, even before making sales.
Depending on your business structure, some non-EU companies may also be required to appoint a fiscal representative in Italy.
Even if your business has no sales during a reporting period, you may still need to submit a VAT return. Late or incorrect filings can lead to penalties, interest charges, or additional scrutiny from the Italian tax authorities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions about this service.
A VAT number in Italy is a tax identification number issued to businesses with VAT obligations in Italy. It allows your company to charge Italian VAT, reclaim eligible VAT, import goods and file VAT returns in Italy.
A VAT number in Italian is commonly called a Partita IVA. VAT itself is called IVA, which stands for Imposta sul Valore Aggiunto.
Yes. “VAT number Italy”, “Italian VAT number” and “Italy VAT number” usually refer to the same thing. They are all used to describe a VAT identification number for businesses with VAT obligations in Italy.
An Italian VAT number usually starts with IT, followed by 11 digits. A common Italian VAT number format is IT12345678901.
You can check an Italian VAT number through the EU VIES VAT validation system. Select Italy as the member state, enter the VAT number and verify whether it is valid.
You can get a VAT number in Italy by applying for Italian VAT registration with the Italian tax authority, the Agenzia delle Entrate. The application usually requires company documents, business activity details and information about your sales, imports or stock movements in Italy.
You may need a VAT number in Italy if you import goods into Italy, store inventory in an Italian warehouse, sell to Italian customers, use Amazon FBA Italy, transfer your own stock to Italy or have other taxable activity in Italy.
UK companies may need a VAT number in Italy if they sell, store, import or distribute goods in Italy. Since Brexit, UK businesses are treated as non-EU businesses for VAT purposes.
Non-EU companies may need VAT registration in Italy if they import goods into Italy, store stock in Italian warehouses, sell goods to Italian customers or use Italy as part of their EU logistics setup.
You may need a VAT number in Italy if your Amazon FBA stock is stored, moved or distributed through Italy. Holding stock in Italy can create a local VAT obligation, even if your business is based outside Italy.
You may need a VAT number in Italy if you sell through Amazon, eBay, Etsy, Shopify or another marketplace and your goods are stored, imported or sold in Italy under your company name.
OSS can simplify VAT reporting for certain cross-border B2C sales in the EU. However, OSS does not replace a VAT number in Italy if you store goods, import goods, transfer stock or have local VAT obligations in Italy.
A VAT number in Italy may allow your business to reclaim eligible Italian import VAT through VAT returns, provided the correct registration, documentation and reporting requirements are met.
No. An EORI number is used for customs identification when importing or exporting goods. A VAT number is used for VAT purposes, such as charging VAT, reclaiming VAT and filing VAT returns.
Commonly required documents include company registration details, director information, business activity details, proof of taxable activity in Italy, warehouse or logistics details and authorisation forms.
The time needed to get a VAT number in Italy depends on your company structure, the documents provided and the workload of the Italian tax authority. Complete and correct documents help reduce delays.
Yes. Once your business has an Italian VAT number, you usually need to file Italian VAT returns, even if there are no sales in a reporting period.
If you do not register for Italian VAT when required, your business may face penalties, interest, delayed import VAT recovery, marketplace issues and problems with Italian tax compliance.
Yes. Westwood Sourcing helps UK companies, non-EU sellers, Amazon FBA businesses, marketplace sellers and e-commerce brands apply for a VAT number in Italy and manage the registration process.
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