Time
10:00 – 11:30

Date: 20^th April 2026 (Monday)

Organization
Organizer: CHKD
CO-Organizer: EY Tax GmbH

Doing E-Commerce in Germany with special focus on VAT/Customs 

Online Seminar (Zoom)

Time: 10:00 AM (German Time / CET (UTC+1))
Format: Online via Zoom

Language: English and Chinese

The event is aimed at Chinese companies seeking to enter the German and broader European market through digital sales channels or to further professionalize their existing e-commerce business. The focus is on the VAT and customs frameworks that must be observed to ensure a successful market entry and ongoing operations within the EU context.

In addition to providing a structured overview of the relevant legal sources and the VAT system in the European Union, the presentation will explain how the EU’s harmonized VAT system is structured and what specific features apply to companies from third countries. Another key focus of the session is the EU VAT Digital Package, which introduces important simplifications for cross-border online business models, but also new compliance obligations. We will then examine in detail the VAT treatment of platform sales, the potential liability and registration obligations for platform operators and merchants, and specific practical issues that require particular attention. Furthermore, the VIDA package will be introduced, which is set to bring significant reforms to European VAT law in the coming years. We will provide a practical perspective on the operational impact these planned changes may have on e-commerce structures.

Another essential part of the presentation will address current customs practices and the planned reforms of the EU Customs Code. We will outline risks and typical pitfalls in cross-border trade in goods, as well as requirements relating to import processes, declarations, and compliance systems.

In both the VAT-focused and customs-focused sessions, we will use concrete practical examples and use cases to demonstrate how successful market participants structure their VAT and customs processes in e-commerce and which best practices are particularly suitable for Chinese companies.

Key Topics of this session

1. German & EU VAT System
2. Platform Sales with Practical Insights & Used Cases
3. EU VIDA Package
4. Customs Procedure & Customs Reform
5. Practical Insights & Used Cases

Please register here until the 17th of April.