21 February 2022

How to start your own business? (NL)

Before starting off your own Amazon, Bol.com or Ecwid adventures, you will need to follow a set of steps. Such as registering your business at your local Chamber of Commerce and applying for an Amazon or Bol.com seller account. Depending in which country you wish to start your business, the requirements differ slightly. We provide you with a personal quick-blog including the most important information and links to important pages.


 

We will explain you how to register in the following countries:

  • The Netherlands 🇳🇱
  • Germany 🇩🇪
  • United Kingdom 🇬🇧
  • United States 🇺🇸
  • Canada 🇨🇦

1. The Netherlands 🇳🇱

Register with the Dutch Commercial Register and Dutch Tax Administration

New online businesses must register with the Dutch Chamber of Commerce (KVK) Commercial Register. The Chamber of Commerce (KVK) will pass on your details to the Dutch Tax and Customs Administration. Within two weeks you will receive your VAT identification number and your VAT number from the Tax and Customs Administration by post. You do not need to register separately with them, unless you decide to register as a limited company or association. Therefore, you must decide which legal structure you choose. The most common legal structure for an online business is a sole proprietorship when you are working alone. If you work with a friend or business partner, we would recommend to use a Sole proprietorship or LLC.

The differences between these two are mostly related to the liabilities in business. Let us know if you are interested in more details on this and we will write a clear blog about them.

Make sure you have an IBAN account and a Credit card

If you plan to start doing business in or with the Netherlands, you will need a business bank account (IBAN). Having a credit card is necessary for transactions with Amazon or product suppliers in foreign countries.

Find out which taxes you need to pay

If your online shop is a source of income, the Dutch Tax Administration will most likely view you as an entrepreneur for income tax. You will then have to pay tax on your company profit. As an entrepreneur you may be entitled to a reduction of income tax.
If you’re doing business within the EU, you need to pay VAT (BTW) on most products and services. The Netherlands has three VAT rates (0%, 9% and 21%). You can obtain an exemption for some goods and services. You don’t pay VAT yourself, instead you reverse charge it to your customers and then transfer it to the Tax Administration office. If you deliver goods or services to a business client (B2B) within the EU, the VAT rate is 0%. Your client is then responsible for reverse charging VAT on its products.

Also, taxes and the benefit of using an accountant partner from e-pickr® will be discussed in future blogs.

For more detailed information on starting your online business in The Netherlands, visit the following link and read the Brochure provided by the Chamber of Commerce (KVK):

Start e-pickr right away!