We received an order from Amazon.com today to be shipped to the UK. Amazon have already prepaid the VAT. However, we are unable to find their VAT registration number anywhere. In the past it was always supplied along with the order. The order will either be turned back by UK customs or they will charge the customer again for VAT. We do not have any business located in the UK and are under no legal obligation to acquire a UK VAT number. There is absolutely no information available about this on Amazon.com so we have no idea what has changed or why, and why Amazon.com are taking orders from UK customers which can't be shipped.
Amazon seller support were unable to help. I knew more about UK VAT requirements and regulations than they did. I have now to await a reply from a "specialist team". Meantime we may end up shipping late or having to cancel - either act having a negative impact on our account health.
