UK VAT number registration - Amazon being 1,5 months late to answer
Hi all,
As everyone selling on Amazon UK knows, the UK VAT registration become mandatory last spring. Well, we started the process because we want to obey the instructions.
We got the UK VAT Number from Avalara quite late in July, but we added the UK VAT Number right away to our account. Then, the Seller Central still stated that we haven’t added it although we did, and I thought it was just an error in the system, because the site isn’t the most logical and modern.
We got an info that our account has been suspended due to missing UK VAT Number in the beginning of August. I sent right away an appeal that we put the VAT number there, check it out, and was promised an answer in couple of days. Now it has been 1,5 months without no answer, I have asked three times from the customer service that what’s going on, no answer. The only place you can contact after being suspended is the Seller Performance team and there’s no answer from them.
We’ve been happy with the sales and FBA and everything, but this is highly annoying. First of all we’re losing sales, Amazon is losing fees, and most likely our inventory will be disposed in one month because we haven’t sold anything due to Amazon’s inactivity.
Any idea what to do, who to call or how to proceed? We’re a quality company working honestly and transparently, and this whole things makes my blood pressure to rise (too much) 
Thanks!
UK VAT number registration - Amazon being 1,5 months late to answer
Hi all,
As everyone selling on Amazon UK knows, the UK VAT registration become mandatory last spring. Well, we started the process because we want to obey the instructions.
We got the UK VAT Number from Avalara quite late in July, but we added the UK VAT Number right away to our account. Then, the Seller Central still stated that we haven’t added it although we did, and I thought it was just an error in the system, because the site isn’t the most logical and modern.
We got an info that our account has been suspended due to missing UK VAT Number in the beginning of August. I sent right away an appeal that we put the VAT number there, check it out, and was promised an answer in couple of days. Now it has been 1,5 months without no answer, I have asked three times from the customer service that what’s going on, no answer. The only place you can contact after being suspended is the Seller Performance team and there’s no answer from them.
We’ve been happy with the sales and FBA and everything, but this is highly annoying. First of all we’re losing sales, Amazon is losing fees, and most likely our inventory will be disposed in one month because we haven’t sold anything due to Amazon’s inactivity.
Any idea what to do, who to call or how to proceed? We’re a quality company working honestly and transparently, and this whole things makes my blood pressure to rise (too much) Thanks!
12 replies
Seller_hC0hNVDuILaKO
Why would that result in your goods being disposed of?
Amazon will simply continue to charge storage fees for your items.
With the VAT issue, if you are positive that you have entered all the details EXACTLY as they should be, and that the details match the VAT database [VIES?] then you will simply have to be patient.
As you will be aware Amazon have a huge backlog to work on, so it will inevitably take some time to clear this.
Seller_0pkMTMROIPEmY
Amazon will be coming down on this now that have signed the HRMC
Online marketplaces agree to respond expeditiously when notified by HMRC that sellers are using their marketplace in breach of UK VAT legislation obligations. In addition, each online marketplace will have systems to take appropriate action whenever presented with evidence of potential non-compliance with UK VAT registration obligations. For example:
include a request for the VAT registration number from the relevant business within the account opening process
where evidence of potential non-compliance with registration requirements is presented, contact the seller directly to clarify the position within 30 days
where the concern about non-compliance with UK VAT registration obligations persists, to implement appropriate sanctions up to and including restricting the seller from selling on the UK marketplace or removing it
Online marketplaces agree to inform HMRC when it has restricted the seller from selling on the UK marketplace or removed a particular seller from its marketplace for non-compliance with UK VAT legislation obligations within 30 days of that action.
HMRC acknowledges that the 30-day clarification period mentioned above is separate from the statutory periods set out in sections 77BA and 77E of the VAT Act 1994 which carry precedence.
Seller_qZO3ZCjoBXEeL
UK VAT registration for you was always mandatory. The change was Amazon and other marketplaces being compelled to enforce it.
Unfortunately it seems that a lot of sellers who were caught out by this left things late are now in a big backlog.
You were operating illegally as an overseas seller selling goods based in a UK location without registering for VAT. You’ll just have to wait and accept that there will be costs and losses.
Seller_0pkMTMROIPEmY
Amazon Provide a detailed VAT page that they expect seller to read and legally adhere to;
I sell products from an EU country into another EU country. Where do I need to register for VAT?
When selling products from one EU country into another EU country, you should be aware that the tax rate can be different from country to country. If you store your goods in an EU country you are required to VAT register in that EU Country once your sales exceed the VAT registration threshold, if any. Additionally if you transfer your own goods from one EU Country to another, or if FBA transfers your goods from a fulfilment center into another country where your products will be stored, the transfer may also be treated as a transaction subject to VAT. You are responsible for meeting any VAT obligations that apply, including VAT obligations in the Amazon marketplace website locations, the countries from which you are delivering your products, the countries to which you are delivering or shipping your products, or any other countries (e.g. country of importation in case you import products from non EU). Please also refer to the distance selling section above.
