Why do I have to pay VAT for orders shipped to countries of the European Union?

Alibaba.com is obligated to collect value-added tax (VAT) for purchases made through the marketplace under certain circumstances, UNLESS the buyer is an eligible VAT-registered customer in the UK/EU/Norway and the purchase is for a business purpose.

VAT won't be collected by Alibaba.com for your UK/EU/Norway business purchase after you upload your UK/EU/Norway VAT number, which shall be verified as valid. Upload now
* Please enter the VAT number without the country ID. For example, if the full VAT number is ES12345678, then only enter 12345678.