Market information and tips on taxes, payments and returns management for shipping goods from Germany to Austria.
Shipping goods to Austria can be a real growth driver for German online retailers. To ensure a successful expansion, it’s crucial to understand the market and comply with legal requirements.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at what makes the Austrian market so attractive and the specific details retailers need to keep in mind. Plus, we’ll share tips on how to successfully expand to Austria.
Austria offers German online retailers an attractive combination of high purchasing power, short delivery routes and a growing preference for online shopping. This makes our neighboring country one of the most exciting markets within the European Union.
As one of the best developed economies in the EU, Austria boasts exceptionally high purchasing power per capita, which is well above the EU average. The Austrian market is characterized by teady growth in e-commerce: According to a study by the Austrian Trade Association, online spending in 2024 increased by 5 % to 10.6 billion Euro. Mobile shopping is growing particularly fast. In 2024, Austrians mostly bought toys, sports equipment, clothing and electronics online.
Austria’s geographical proximity to Germany also facilitates shipping: fast delivery times, low transport costs and a shared language simplify expansion. Germany is Austria’s leading import country. In 2023, imports from Germany to Austria amounted to 64.7 billion Euro,. accounting for 31.9 % of all Austrian imports.
Plus: German retailers are highly trusted in Austria. For example, a study from 2023 shows that 58 % of Austrian consumers' cross-border online purchases were made with German retailers.
Overall, the Austrian market is sending out many positive signals for cross-border e-commerce and German retailers can benefit from a stable and growing market.
To establish yourself as an online retailer in Austria and successfully ship goods there, you need to be aware of some local specifics. This ensures your shipments reach your customers without any problems.
Here’s what you should pay attention to:
The best way to send parcels to Austria is with reliable and well-known local carriers such as Post AT. This offers fast delivery times and is firmly established with Austrian customers.
Austrian customers sometimes prefer different payment methods compared to German ones. These three are particularly popular in Austria:
As an online retailer, it is best to offer a variety of payment options in order to meet different preferences and generate more orders via your store in the long term.
It is inevitable that parcels will be returned. Clearly communicating your return conditions and making the process as easy as possible can turn this challenge into an opportunity. Offer a processing time of four to five business days, shipment tracking and clear instructions for returns to build customer trust and stand out from competitors.
In addition to logistical and financial aspects, you should also consider legal requirements and cultural differences in the Austrian market:
Image: © Österreichische Post AG
Taxes play a key role in cross-border sales. To comply with legal regulations and expand to Austria successfully, retailers should be familiar with the delivery threshold and the OSS procedure. These regulations ensure transparency and make the process easier across the EU.
The delivery threshold indicates the turnover value at which companies in Austria become liable for VAT. Since 2021, the EU-wide delivery threshold for cross-border distance sales is 10.000 Euro per year. Once this amount is exceeded, the affected sales must be taxed in the destination country, in this case Austria.
Example: If a German retailer sells goods worth 15.000 Euro to Austria in 2023, they become liable for VAT there and must pay the VAT directly in Austria.
The OSS procedure was introduced to reduce the tax burden for retailers. It simplifies tax processing for sales within the EU. Companies can declare and pay VAT for all EU countries centrally through the German Federal Central Tax Office (BZSt). This saves time and eliminates the need for separate registrations in each EU country.
There are, however, some limitations: The procedure only applies to B2C sales and digital services within the EU. B2B transactions and goods from non-EU countries are excluded.
For German online businesses that want to sell to Austria, this means:
More information on OSS- and IOSS regulations is available on the website of the Federal Central Tax Office.
While the OSS procedure is intended for intra-EU distance sales, the Import One-Stop-Shop (IOSS) procedure applies specifically to goods shipped to non-EU countries.
The IOSS-prodedure is valid for sales to third countries with a value of up to 150 Euro. It allows centralized submission of VAT declarations and requires an IOSS ID in the customs declaration. However, for German retailers who exclusively sell within the EU, the IOSS procedure is less relevant.
With exporto, you handle your shipping to Austria easily and efficiently. We ensure that all the necessary processes run smoothly, guaranteeing reliably fast shipping and an outstanding delivery experience for your customers. Our services also include the preparation of tax data and ensuring legally compliant OSS reporting. Here, we rely on a broad partner network to provide you with seamless and automated processing of your tax obligations. As a result, you save valuable time and can focus on growing your business.
A successful market entry requires a solid strategy and well-functioning processes in addition to the right products.
We have summarized the four most important tips for successful cross-border sales and sustainable scaling as a checklist here:
With exporto, cross-border parcel shipping is simple and efficient. In 2025, online retailers will also be able to use our solution for Austria and seamlessly ship their products there while providing the best customer experience.
Instead of having to deal with individual process steps, exporto provides you with a seamless shipping solution, that optimizes the delivery experience for both you as a retailer and your customers. We handle the entire process of your sales to Austria - from collecting the orders at your warehouse to processing and managing returns.
exporto makes it easy for you to enter the Austrian market and fully realize the potential of cross-border e-commerce in Europe. With optimized processes, reliable logistics and a service that sets new standards, our digital solution lays the foundation for sustainable growth.