Warehouses in the VAT System of the European Union

Abstract

Warehouses are unavoidable parts of global trade. From a taxation point of view, the best-known are customs warehouses. However, the role of warehouses is also significant in the European Union’s VAT system. The VAT warehousing procedure can result in several advantages for businesses; nevertheless, its application requires particular attention since the rules differ from Member State to Member State. In this article, the author gives an overview of different types of warehouses mentioned by the VAT Directive and analyses the options and obligations regarding VAT warehousing and their application in Hungary and Germany. Furthermore, through practical examples, she illustrates potential benefits that might be obtained from the application of a VAT warehouse.