Supplier Invoices for Own Brand Products
Hi all,
I have a question regarding supplier invoices for products belonging to one’s own brand. As a hypothetical situation, let’s assume that the brand is your own registered trademark, and that there are no IP/design rights issues with the product in question.
I have seen a handful of discussions on this forum regarding Amazon not accepting supplier invoices from Chinese factories, in the case of receiving a ‘used sold as new’ or product authenticity complaint, etc. It seems that Amazon have difficulty in verifying the factory, and so invoices are rejected.
I have seen it mentioned in one thread that, in this instance, it is possible to ‘self-invoice’ for the goods. I believe this was explained using Apple as an example—Apple would provide Amazon with invoices from themselves for their own products, and wouldn’t send Amazon invoices from their third-party factory, as Apple is the ‘manufacturer’ of their own products.
Obviously, I am not Apple(!), but does the same principle apply?
I am currently registered as a Sole Trader—would this have any impact? I.e. is it necessary to be a limited company in order for this to be accepted? Does VAT registration come into it at all?
I am currently a very small-scale seller, but I am looking to expand my product offering by bringing some own-branded items to market. I want to do it the right way, without risking my selling account and would really appreciate any advice on the above.
Many thanks in advance for your help.
Cheers,
Tom
7 replies
Seller_7VbclcPFFRTnc
So yes as others have said - if you source your own products (say from China) and rebrand them as your own and you have registered your Brand with Amazon Brand Registry, then yes you technically invoice using your own company details - you don’t have to be LTD or VAT registered
Seller_qZO3ZCjoBXEeL
Yes. Even though you outsource manufacturing to another company, you are the brand owner and the ‘public’ manufacturer of your product.
There should be no difference as a Sole Trader, you are just raising an invoice to yourself from yourself. VAT has nothing to do with it and should be avoided on internal invoicing as you are not creating a taxable event (unless you are supplying goods to yourself across a border which most people will not be).
I recently helped a seller with exactly the issue and Amazon accepted their self-invoices.
Seller_qZO3ZCjoBXEeL
This was the thread I was referring to
Seller_tDD2mcfuGlmJ1
That’s great, thanks both for your replies.
So is Amazon Brand Registry a requirement for this invoicing situation? Obviously it wouldn’t hurt to be Brand Registered, but I’m just wondering if it’s a necessity.
Cheers, I appreciate your help.
