How to start selling on Amazon UK as a US seller
The UK is one of Amazon’s most lucrative European markets, but crossing the Atlantic requires more than just translating your listing copy to British English. You have to navigate strict tax rules, customs duties, and compliance before you can send a single unit to FBA.
The short version
Expanding your US Amazon business to the UK can transform your revenue, but it comes with rigid legal requirements. If you intend to use your US LLC to store physical stock in a UK fulfilment centre, you must register for VAT immediately, as your threshold is zero. You will also need an EORI number to clear customs, and you must meet strict UK product safety regulations. Done properly, right from the start, this creates a strong foundation for growth.
Three crucial steps before launching
1. Choose your business structure
You can choose to register a new UK business, or continue to use your existing LLC if you prefer. If you keep using your existing LLC, your UK and US Amazon accounts will be linked. This means that if there is a problem with one and your activities are suspended, your sales in both regions will be impacted. Alternatively, if you register a new UK business, your accounts remain separate entities, and you will not need to register immediately for VAT if you choose not to.
2. Register for taxes and customs
If you start to import into the UK using your existing LLC and store physical inventory in a UK FBA warehouse, this triggers an immediate legal requirement to register for UK VAT. Because your business does not have a physical establishment in the UK, you do not benefit from a VAT registration threshold. You also need an Economic Operator Registration and Identification (EORI) number. This number is used when declaring your imported goods to customs.
3. Verify your Amazon UK account
Amazon UK requires region-specific verification, even if your US account is linked. You must add a bank account that can receive GBP payments, and provide valid identity documents such as a passport to comply with U.K. regulations. You also need to provide proof of your business address.
Product compliance hurdles
Product safety and labelling
The UK has strict product safety regulations that your products must comply with. Your products must be labelled in the correct language and must include essential information, such as the product name and manufacturer contact information.
UK Responsible Person (RP)
You may need to use a service that acts as your Responsible Person (RP) for compliance in the UK. This gives you a dedicated address for your products in the UK and ensures someone is available to Trading Standards and other regulatory bodies for inspection purposes.
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)
You may also need to comply with Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulations in the UK. This environmental policy makes producers responsible for the entire life cycle of the products they introduce on the market, from their design until waste collection and recycling.
Customs clearance
When you ship goods to the UK, you will need to clear them through customs. This involves providing vital documentation, such as a packing list, a certificate of origin, and an invoice.
Let me handle the expansion
Launching in a new country is complicated, but you do not have to figure it out alone. If you are a US business ready to grow in the UK, but you are not ready for a big agency, I can help you navigate the setup and manage your ongoing account. You work directly with me, there are no long-term contracts, and I will give you honest, plain English advice on what will work for your brand.
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