Overview

Amazon has updated the format of Value Added Tax (VAT) invoice numbers generated through its VAT Calculation Service, effective January 1, 2025. The change shortens invoice numbers to 14 characters, a move designed to help sellers and their customers manage invoices more efficiently within accounting systems. Sellers enrolled in Amazon's VAT Calculation Service should review their processes to ensure compatibility with the new format.

Key Points

• Shorter invoice numbers — VAT invoice numbers generated by Amazon are now 14 characters long, down from the previous longer format
• Unique and sequential — Despite the shorter length, invoice numbers will continue to be unique and sequential, maintaining the integrity sellers depend on for record-keeping
• Automatic application — The change applies automatically to all invoices created through Amazon's VAT Calculation Service, with no opt-in required
• Effective date — The new format took effect on January 1, 2025

Who Is Affected

This change applies specifically to sellers who are enrolled in Amazon's VAT Calculation Service, where Amazon generates VAT invoices on the seller's behalf. If you handle your own VAT invoicing outside of Amazon's system, this update does not directly impact you. However, if you rely on Amazon-generated invoices for your tax compliance and bookkeeping, the new shorter format could affect how your systems parse, store, or reference invoice numbers.

Sellers operating in European marketplaces where VAT compliance is mandatory — including the UK, Germany, France, Italy, and Spain — are most likely to be affected, as VAT invoicing is a core part of doing business in those regions.

Why Amazon Made This Change

The primary motivation behind the format change is efficiency. Shorter invoice numbers are easier to work with in accounting software, spreadsheets, and enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems. Many sellers and their business customers have reported that excessively long reference numbers can cause formatting issues, truncation errors, and complications when reconciling accounts. By standardizing on a 14-character format, Amazon is aligning with common accounting practices and reducing friction in the invoicing workflow.