VAT selling into the UK from EU
Hi,
My seller account has been suspended for not registering for UK VAT.
I am posting here in frustration as the replies I am getting from amazon are the same automated email which is factually wrong (either that or my reading of the law is wrong, in which case I would be delighted if someone could explain, at least then I would know).
My reading of HMRCs rules and Amazons own guidance on VAT that Amazon has wrongly suspended my account.
We are a company registered in Ireland, we manufacture our products here and post them directly to the customer wherever they are. We do not store products in the UK, we are not part of the FBA program and our sales into the UK are far below the thresehold for VAT registration for selling into the UK as per HMRCs rules ( https://www.gov.uk/guidance/vat-what-to-do-if-youre-an-overseas-business-selling-goods-in-the-uk )
Amazons email notifying us of the suspension states that "In a different EU Country
You need to register for VAT in the UK if:
- You store your goods in the UK or
- You sell to UK-based consumers (non-business); and
- Your sales exceed the UK distance selling VAT threshold of £70,000."
We do not store our products in the UK, we do sell directly to UK based consumers and we are far below the threshold. My reading of the threshold is that if I sell £500 worth of product to the consumers in the UK in a tax year then I am not required to register for UK VAT, If I sell £70,000+ int the UK in a tax year then I am.
Which is correct?
Any help would be most welcome, I feel like I am talking to a wall when trying to contact seller support regarding this.
Many thanks
Ceeba Foods
7 replies
Seller_rFJhzQS2UGB7q
Separate rules apply to overseas businesses using an online marketplace to sell goods in the UK, where those goods are in the UK at the point of sale or sold to a UK customer and then imported in the UK by the seller.
If you use an online marketplace to sell such goods in the UK you must register for VAT by submitting a VAT1 ‘Application for Registration’.
Find our more about businesses selling goods in the UK using online marketplaces.
Seller_EJIX7rqDNQJi2
It appears like your Seller Account has been deactivated erroneously.
Could you post here the full notice to see what it says and if there are any options for you to appeal?
Seller_qWsXPRtn4GE18
Thank you for the replies. My apologies for the delay in replying, offline life demanded my attention!
I will have a thorough read of the links provided by TgtMark.
Thanks for the support Neil and Kika.
Kika the full text of the email is:
Dear Seller,
Your Amazon UK Marketplace account has been blocked because your UK VAT number was not uploaded and validated by the deadline.
Amazon is required to verify that you are VAT registered in the UK. You may begin reinstatement process by uploading a valid UK VAT number belonging to your business.
Upload your VAT numbers: https://sellercentral-europe.amazon.com/tax/registrations
After you upload your VAT number, we will validate that it belongs to your business and your VAT registration name matches your Seller Central legal name. This process may take up to 10 days.
If you have uploaded an incorrect number, upload the UK VAT number that belongs to your business to Seller Central. You will not be able to upload a VAT number that you have previously removed. If this UK VAT number belongs to your business, please email vat-number-appeals@amazon.com with the following information:
- Your UK VAT number
- Your Amazon legal Seller name
- An explanation of the reason for any difference with the legal name stated in VIES
- A copy of your UK VAT registration certificate
You may access the European Commission VIES system here:
http://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/vies/
HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) is responsible for ensuring all businesses meet their VAT compliance requirements under UK VAT legislation. You can learn more about how the legislation might affect you by referencing HMRC guidance (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/vat-extending-joint-and-several-liability-for-online-marketplaces-and-displaying-vat-numbers-online-guidance-note).
To learn more about VAT, please see our VAT resources page:
Sincerely,
Amazon Services Europe S.a.r.l.
I will return to provide an update for anyone interested when I get to the bottom of it.
Mny Thanks
Neal @ Ceeba Foods
Seller_M91FaL4maKhY9
Hi,
OP: did you manage to solve the problem?
I am in the same situation. I opened an individual account just to sell one or two of my old books and I will never ever exceed the amount eligible for VAT. I am not in the UK, but in the EU.
They keep replying with links, clearly they are not reading my E-Mails. Shall I just delete my one and only listing and close the account?
