How to buy without VAT on PrintForge.eu (B2B guide for EU companies)

As a VAT registered company located within the EU (but outside Romania), you may be eligible to purchase from PrintForge.eu without paying VAT, under the EU’s intra community supply regulations. This guide explains exactly how that works  and how you can take advantage of this opportunity on our website.

What is VAT and the Intra Community Exemption?

VAT (Value Added Tax) is a consumption tax applied to most goods and services sold within the European Union. However, intra community B2B transactions are exempt from VAT under certain conditions:

• The seller (in this case: Empendo Distribution SRL hereinafter referred to as PrintForge.eu) and the buyer (your company) are located in different EU countries.
• The buyer has a valid VAT number registered in the VIES system (VAT Information Exchange System).
• The goods are shipped between EU countries, not sold for consumption in the seller’s local market.

In this case, the buyer becomes responsible for accounting for the VAT in their own country, often through a reverse charge mechanism.

Who can benefit from this VAT exemption?

To qualify for VAT free purchasing on PrintForge.eu:

• You must be a legally registered company or organization in an EU member state (except Romania).
• You must provide a valid EU VAT number, verifiable through the VIES platform.
• The billing address must match the VAT number’s country.
• You must not be located in the same country as PrintForge.eu (Romania).
• You must use the product for business purposes, not private consumer use.

If all of these conditions are met, your order is eligible for 0% VAT (intra community supply exemption) under EU law.

How to purchase without VAT on PrintForge.eu

We’ve made the process simple and transparent for eligible EU businesses. Here’s a step by step guide to making a VAT exempt order on our website:

Step 1: Add products to cart

Browse our unique catalog of 3D printed products  including toys, home decor, desk accessories, and more  and add your selections to your cart.

Step 2: Proceed to checkout

Review your selected items by clicking the cart icon, then proceed to finalize your order.

Step 3: Select your country

Choose your billing country carefully  it must match the country associated with your VAT number.

Step 4: Enter your company details

You’ll be prompted to enter your company name and VAT number in dedicated fields. Be sure to double check for accuracy. (key step!)

Step 5: Automatic VAT validation (VIES check)

Our system automatically checks your VAT number in real time using the official VIES (VAT Information Exchange System) database. If your VAT number is valid, the system will:

• Automatically remove VAT from your order total and invoice.
• Mark the invoice as a 0% intra community transaction.

If the system cannot verify your VAT number, VAT will be charged by default.

Step 6: Complete the purchase

Once validated, proceed with payment and delivery as normal. Your invoice will reflect the 0% VAT rate, as required by EU law.

What is the VIES system?

VIES stands for VAT Information Exchange System, and it is an online platform developed and maintained by the European Commission. Its primary purpose is to facilitate cross border trade within the European Union by allowing businesses and tax authorities to verify the validity of VAT numbers issued by EU member states.

When a company in one EU country wants to sell goods or services to a business in another EU country without charging VAT (as allowed under intra community supply rules), the seller is required to ensure that the buyer’s VAT number is active and valid. This is where VIES comes into play.

To check your own VAT number in advance, visit the official VIES portal and enter your country and VAT ID. Just select your country, enter your VAT number, and click “Verify.” The result will confirm if the number is valid and registered for intra EU trade.

Key functions of the VIES system

✅ Real-time validation of VAT numbers issued by EU tax authorities.
✅ Helps determine whether a B2B transaction qualifies for VAT exemption.
✅ Prevents VAT fraud and supports compliance with EU tax regulations.
✅ Used by businesses, tax authorities, and eCommerce platforms.

Important notes

• A VAT number may be valid domestically but still not registered for cross border transactions. In that case, it won’t show up in VIES.
• If your number is missing or invalid, contact your local tax office to update your VAT status.
• For Romanian customers, VAT exemption does not apply, as both buyer and seller are in the same country.

Common issues and troubleshooting

❌ My VAT number is valid, but VAT is still being charged

Make sure:

• The billing country matches the VAT registration country.
• The VAT number is typed correctly, without spaces or extra characters.
• You’re not trying to use a Romanian VAT number (same country as PrintForge, not eligible for VAT free).

❌ My company isn’t registered in VIES

Only VAT registered companies are listed in VIES. Check with your accountant or tax office to ensure your registration is complete.

❌ I’m a Consumer or Not VAT registered

If your business is not VAT registered, the standard Romanian VAT rate will apply to your purchase. Please note that VAT exemption is available exclusively for B2B transactions involving valid EU VAT numbers.

Benefits of B2B VAT free ordering on PrintForge.eu

✅ Save money on every purchase.
✅ Receive 0% VAT invoices for clean accounting.
✅ Fast, compliant B2B processing.
✅ Ideal for resellers, retailers, industrial buyers, and designers.

Need help?

If you have questions, need help validating your VAT number, or run into technical issues at checkout, we’re here to support you. We’re proud to support businesses across Europe with innovative, customizable 3D printed solutions  and we’re committed to making your B2B buying experience as smooth and cost effective as possible.

Contact information

Have a question or need assistance? We’re here to help!
Simply get in touch with us and our team will get back to you as soon as possible.

We’re available on regular business days, we take weekends and national holidays off, but rest assured, your message is important to us and we’ll reply as soon as we’re back.