Selling on Amazon UK: A Guide for EU and US Companies

The United Kingdom remains a lucrative e-commerce market, with Amazon UK being one of the primary gateways to millions of British consumers. However, post-Brexit regulations and UK-specific tax laws have added complexity for foreign businesses — especially for companies based in the EU or the United States. Here’s a breakdown of what you need to know from both perspectives and how tools like Minefield Navigator can simplify the process.

Selling on Amazon UK as an EU-based company

Navigating Post-Brexit Regulations

Since Brexit, the UK has no longer been part of the EU customs union or VAT area. This means that EU-based businesses can no longer treat the UK as just another EU country for logistics and tax purposes.

UK VAT Registration Requirements

EU businesses must register for UK VAT if they: • Store goods in the UK (e.g., using Amazon FBA warehouses) • Sell directly to UK consumers (B2C) • Exceed the UK VAT registration threshold (currently £0 for non-UK businesses)

Even small EU sellers may need to register for VAT immediately.

Customs and Import Declarations

Importing goods into the UK from the EU now requires: • Customs declarations • Correct commodity codes • Payment of import VAT or duties

Non-compliance can delay shipments or result in penalties.

How Minefield Navigator Supports EU Sellers

Minefield Navigator automates VAT registration and handles regulatory processes for EU companies, including communication with HMRC. It also helps ensure compliance by automating the creation of labels that meet UK requirements.

Selling on Amazon UK as a US-based company

Key Differences for US Sellers

For US companies, selling into the UK involves a different set of rules—and greater distance doesn’t just mean higher shipping costs but also more bureaucracy.

VAT Obligations for US-Based Businesses

US sellers must register for UK VAT if: • They hold inventory in the UK • They sell directly to UK customers via Amazon • They make any taxable supply in the UK

UK fiscal representative is required.

Customs and Import Compliance

Importing goods from the US requires: • UK customs declarations • Harmonized commodity codes • Payment of import VAT and duties

Errors here can result in border delays or product holds.

Product Labeling and Legal Compliance

US products often need to be re-labeled to comply with UK legislation. This may include changes to: • Language requirements • Safety icons or warnings • Country of origin information

How Minefield Navigator Helps You Stay Compliant

Registration and Tax Automation

Minefield Navigator takes care of: • UK VAT registration • Ongoing tax compliance • Communication with local tax authorities

Automated Label Generation

The platform ensures your product labels match UK (and wider EU) compliance standards — so you don’t have to decode regulations line by line.

Selling on Amazon UK is a promising opportunity for both EU and US companies — but the path is filled with regulatory hurdles. From VAT registration to compliance labeling, each step matters. With an innovative tool like Minefield Navigator, you can focus on sales and growth while it takes care of the red tape.