Overview

Amazon has introduced a new Service Hub inside Seller Central that lets sellers locate, compare, and contract vetted providers for Value‑Added Tax (VAT) and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) compliance. Launched in early 2024, the feature targets merchants who want to expand into Europe, where tax registration and waste‑management obligations are mandatory for marketplace participation. By consolidating provider information in one place, Amazon aims to reduce the time and effort required to meet these legal prerequisites.

Key Points

• Single‑source directory — The hub aggregates dozens of EU‑focused compliance firms, replacing the need for separate Google searches and cold‑email outreach.
• Up‑front fee disclosure — Each listed partner must display one‑time setup costs and any recurring charges, allowing sellers to compare total spend before contacting a provider.
• Cross‑border bundles — Packages that cover VAT and EPR registration for multiple countries are available, often delivering a 15‑20 % cost saving versus hiring separate firms per market.
• 48‑hour reply promise — Once a request is submitted, the chosen provider is obligated to answer within two business days, cutting the typical week‑long waiting period.
• Region‑specific filters — Drop‑down menus let users narrow results by EU region, individual country, and service type (VAT only, EPR only, or combined).

How the Service Hub Works

1. Open the hub and set parameters — A seller logs into Seller Central, navigates to the Service Hub, and selects the target EU region (e.g., Western Europe) and a specific country such as Germany. For example, a UK‑based seller planning to launch in Germany and France would choose “Germany” first, then repeat the process for France.
2. Choose compliance need — The interface offers three options: VAT registration, EPR registration, or a combined VAT + EPR bundle. A seller selling electronic accessories would likely select the combined option to address both tax and waste‑management duties.
3. — The hub displays a grid of qualified firms, each showing a brief service description, setup fee, monthly or annual charge, and a “Contact” button. For instance, Provider A might list a €299 one‑time VAT setup fee plus €49 monthly filing, while Provider B offers a €499 bundled VAT/EPR package covering three countries.