VAT registration in United Kingdom
We handle VAT registration, returns and ongoing compliance in United Kingdom for UAE, GCC and other overseas businesses selling, storing or importing goods there, including our own rice, tea, coffee and spice shipments.
- Standard rate20%
- Reduced rate5%
- CurrencyGBP
Start your United Kingdom VAT registration
Tell us about your sales or imports. A specialist replies within one business day.
When you need to register in United Kingdom
GBP 90,000 in UK taxable turnover for UK-established businesses; there is no registration threshold for overseas businesses making taxable supplies in the UK, so registration is normally required from the first supply.
Registration is generally required before you make your first taxable supply, import goods, or hold stock in United Kingdom, whichever comes first. We check your specific activity before you commit to a launch date.
How United Kingdom VAT registration works
The steps are broadly the same everywhere, though the forms, timeline and language differ.
Assess
We confirm whether you need to register, and whether a fiscal representative is required.
Prepare
We gather your incorporation documents, trade licence and activity details for HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC).
Submit
We file the registration application and handle follow-up questions from the tax office.
File
Once registered, we prepare and file your ongoing VAT returns.
What you need to know
- Tax authority
- HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) administers VAT registration and returns in United Kingdom.
- Fiscal representative
- The UK does not require a fiscal representative for most overseas businesses, though HMRC can ask for a UK-based VAT agent or security in some cases.
- Filing frequency
- Quarterly, filed digitally under Making Tax Digital. Exact frequency can depend on your turnover and registration type.
- One-Stop Shop (OSS)
- The UK is outside the EU VAT area, so the EU One-Stop Shop schemes do not apply. UK-specific simplifications may apply instead, and we advise on these separately.
VAT thresholds, rates and fiscal representative rules change and can depend on your product, sector and where you hold stock. We confirm the current position for your business before you register.
VAT and our own commodity trade
We register for VAT in United Kingdom as part of supplying rice, tea, coffee and spices there, and we offer the same registration and filing service to other overseas businesses trading into United Kingdom.
- Import VAT
- Goods entering United Kingdom from outside the EU are generally subject to import VAT at the border, alongside any customs duty.
- Records
- Invoices, shipping documents and VAT returns are kept in a form that stands up to a tax office review.
- Ongoing filing
- We continue filing your returns after registration, so nothing is missed once the business is live.
Questions about United Kingdom VAT
Do I need a local company to register for VAT in United Kingdom?
Not usually. A non-resident business can typically register directly, or through a fiscal representative where United Kingdom requires one, without setting up a local company.
How long does United Kingdom VAT registration take?
Timelines vary by country and how complete your documents are. We give you a realistic estimate once we have reviewed your paperwork.
Can you also handle registration in other EU countries?
Yes. We register and file VAT across the EU and the UK, and can coordinate registrations in several countries at once if you are launching in more than one market.
How quickly will I hear back?
We reply to every enquiry within one business day.
Other countries we cover
Start your United Kingdom VAT registration
Our UAE office is in RAKEZ, Ras Al Khaimah. We also have offices in Bengaluru, London and Central Hong Kong.
Send an enquiry
Tell us about your sales, imports or stock in United Kingdom so we can scope the registration.