Amazon FBA selling on Amazon UK is one of the best methods to open and build an online company. Storage, packaging, shipping, and customer service are handled by Amazon, and you handle purchasing products and promotion.
If you are wanting to get started, this guide will detail how to open a UK Amazon FBA selling account, from company registration in the UK to VAT compliance and account setup.
What is Amazon FBA
Amazon FBA (Fulfilment by Amazon) is a fulfillment service whereby you send your stock to Amazon’s fulfillment centers, and they deal with:
- Storage of your stock.
- Packing and dispatching orders.
- Handling returns and customer questions.
Benefits of Amazon FBA
- Access to millions of Amazon Prime customers.
- No in-house warehouse to operate.
- Amazon’s logistics system for quicker delivery.
- Hands-off customer service.
Select Your Selling Structure
Decide, before setting up your account, if you will sell as:
- An Individual Seller – No monthly subscription, with more per-item charges. Ideal for low volumes of sales.
- A Registered Business – Requires company registration within the UK. Recommended if you desire greater sales, wholesale buying, and branding.
Tip: You don’t necessarily need to be a UK citizen to register a UK company and sell on Amazon UK.
UK Company Registration
If you take the business path, this is how you do UK company registration:
- Choose a Unique Company Name – Check if it’s available on the database of Companies House.
- Register with Companies House – Can be done online, usually within 24 hours.
- Have a UK Address – Can use a virtual office address if overseas.
- Appoint a Minimum of One Director – Can be yourself.
- Create a UK Business Bank Account – Needed to be paid out by Amazon.
- Register for VAT – Needed if you reach the £85,000 per year turnover threshold; generally advisable for non-resident vendors.
- Nearly all non-residents utilize company formation agents to simplify things.
Gather the Documents You Require
Amazon will ask you to provide some documents to verify your identity and business as a condition of approving your Amazon FBA selling account:
- Passport or government identification document.
- Certificate of incorporation (for registered companies).
- Bank statement.
- Chargeable international credit card.
- Proof of address (utility bill or bank statement).
- VAT registration number (where applicable).
Set Up Your Amazon Seller Central Account
To create your Amazon FBA selling account, follow these steps:
- Visit sell.amazon.co.uk.
- Click on Sign Up and choose either:
- Individual Plan or Professional Plan
- Enter business details, bank details, and tax details.
- Upload verification documents required.
- Agree to Amazon’s seller agreement.
After being approved, you are able to log into Amazon Seller Central to manage your products and orders.
Enable Fulfilment by Amazon (FBA)
After your account is live:
- Go to Settings then click on Amazon Fulfilment by Seller Central.
- Activate the FBA service.
- Set up your shipping plan (how you ship inventory to Amazon warehouses).
- Barcode your products with Amazon barcodes (FNSKU).
- Send your products to Amazon fulfilment centres.
Sell Your Products on Amazon UK
You have two methods of listing your products:
- Match an Existing Listing – If your product is already in Amazon’s database.
- Create a New Listing – If your product is new or branded.
When creating listings:
- Use high-quality images.
- Write keyword-rich titles and descriptions.
- Set competitive prices (including Amazon fees and VAT).
VAT and Tax Compliance
If your sales exceed £85,000 per annum, then you will have to register for VAT in the UK. For non-resident sellers, it might be required to register for VAT right from the start.
Key points:
- File VAT returns quarterly.
- Simplify tax management with Amazon’s VAT Calculation Service.
- Keep proper business records.
See also: How to Register For VAT in UK & Stay Tax Compliant
Scaling Your Amazon Business
Account creation is only step one. To succeed:
- Make listings more discoverable with keyword optimization.
- Use Amazon Advertising (PPC) to gain more visibility.
- Control stock levels to prevent stock-out.
- Encourage customer reviews for better rankings.
Mistakes to avoid
- Filing without familiarization with tax requirements.
- Selecting the wrong selling plan based on your volume.
- Overlooking product demand and competition analysis.
- Sending incorrectly labeled items to Amazon.
Conclusion
Registering an Amazon FBA sales account in the UK is a wise choice for anyone who wishes to sell products in a high-demand market. UK company registration, proper documentation, and Amazon handling fulfillment allows you to focus on boosting your sales and to expand it globally.
Obey the guidelines in this guide, remain compliant with UK tax laws, and optimize your product listings to take advantage of the Amazon FBA opportunity.
FAQs
1. Am I able to open an Amazon FBA selling account in the UK if I am not a resident of the UK?
Yes. Many non-residents sell on Amazon UK by incorporating a UK company and fulfilling VAT requirements.
2. What is the cost of starting to sell on Amazon UK?
You can start with the Individual Plan (no monthly fee) or the Professional Plan (£25/month), in addition to Amazon’s referral and fulfilment fees.
3. Will I need to use a UK bank account to receive payment?
Yes, a UK bank account is recommended for faster payments, but Amazon does also support some international accounts.
4. Is VAT registration compulsory for new Amazon sellers?
Not if your sales are below £85,000 a year. But for non-UK sellers, VAT registration will usually be required straight away.
5. How long does it take Amazon to approve a seller account?
Normally 24–72 hours if your paperwork is correct, but longer if Amazon needs further verification.
If you need further assistance or have any doubts, our experts are here to help you. Call us: 8881-069-069.
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