Why marketplace sellers buy VAT registered companies
Since the UK’s marketplace VAT rules came into force, platforms are jointly liable for VAT on sales by sellers who are not properly registered. In practice that means they ask for a UK VAT number early, verify it against HMRC, and restrict accounts that cannot provide one. For a seller holding stock in Great Britain there is no registration threshold to hide behind if the business is based overseas, so a VAT number is a condition of trading rather than an eventual obligation.
Registering a new company for VAT can take weeks or months, during which the seller account sits in review and stock waits in a warehouse. A shelf company with a live registration closes that gap: the VAT number, and usually a GB EORI, transfer with the company and can be entered into the seller account the day you take it over.
What the marketplaces ask for, and how the company meets it
- UK VAT registration number that validates against HMRC. Live registration transfers with the company
- Company registration number and Companies House record. Active company with no debts or liabilities and a public filing record you can check
- UK registered office address. Our registered office service in London or Manchester, £39 a year
- Director identity and address documents. Your own documents; we guide you through Companies House identity verification
- EORI number for inbound shipments. Held by most companies in stock; we apply for one if not
- Business bank account in the company name. Opened after transfer; we offer banking introductions including options for overseas owners
Choosing the right company
Most of our stock is classified under wholesale and retail SIC codes, which is what marketplace compliance teams expect to see for a reseller. Use the company list to filter by With EORI number, by how long the VAT registration has been in place and by incorporation year. An older VAT registration is useful when a platform or supplier looks at trading history; an EORI matters if you import.
After the transfer
- Update the company name if you want one that matches your brand; the change is usually approved by Companies House within a day for electronic filings; HMRC must then be told, and we explain how
- Open the business bank account and upload the statement or letter the marketplace needs
- Enter the VAT number, EORI and Companies House details into Seller Central, eBay or the equivalent
- Keep VAT returns current: a VAT registered company must file quarterly, including the periods when sales are low
We can continue to act for the company after the sale with registered office, nominee director and confirmation statement services, and can refer you to an accountant for VAT returns if you do not have one.
Prices
Companies start at £2,499 plus VAT, including the transfer, the Companies House filings and the full document pack. Companies with an EORI or a longer VAT history are priced towards the upper end of the range shown on each listing.
Talk to us first
Tell us which platforms you sell on, whether you import stock and where you are based. We will point you to the companies that fit and explain what the marketplace will ask for at each step.
Questions about this service
Will the marketplace accept a shelf company's VAT number?
Marketplaces verify the VAT number against HMRC's register and check that the registered name matches the business on the seller account. Because the company is transferred to you with its existing registration, the number is live and the name on HMRC's record is the company's name. If you change the company name we file the change at Companies House and tell you how to update HMRC so the two stay in step.
Do I need an EORI as well as VAT?
If you send stock to a UK fulfilment centre from outside Great Britain, yes: customs clearance requires a GB EORI. Most of the companies we sell already have one. If you only sell goods already in the UK, VAT alone is enough.
Can a non-UK resident use the company for a UK seller account?
Yes. The company is a UK entity whoever owns it. Marketplaces will ask for the director's identity documents, the company's Companies House details, a UK registered office (which we provide) and proof of a business bank account, which is opened in your name after the transfer. See our page on buying a company as a non-UK resident.
How quickly can I start listing?
The company is transferred the same working day for orders before 4 pm, once identity checks and payment are complete. Marketplace verification then runs to the platform's own timetable, typically a few days once the documents are uploaded.