UK VAT Registration & Import Duty Advisory

Specialist knowledge is key to reducing VAT risk

You need to register for UK VAT? We support international companies with VAT in the UK – from registration to monthly returns and VAT reclaims. With multilingual advisory services and local expertise, we make your UK VAT compliance smooth and legally compliant.

✓ Multilingual VAT advisory on the ground – personal service, direct HMRC liaison
✓ Complete VAT service – registration, monthly returns, VAT reclaims, Intrastat
✓ Customs & import duty expertise – import duties advice for goods from the EU & beyond
✓ ACCA-certified – specialists in cross-border VAT matters

VAT in the UK - Overview

UK VAT registration is crucial for many international companies – especially since Brexit. If you need to register for UK VAT, you should understand the complex regulations:

Value Added Tax (VAT) in the UK has become one of the most complex tax areas. The standard UK VAT rate is 20%, but there are reduced rates (5%, 0%) and numerous exemptions. Penalties for errors can be severe.

Experience shows that the most frequent HMRC enquiries for international companies relate to cross-border transactions – particularly trade involving UK VAT and EU countries. Specialist knowledge is key to reducing risk. That’s why we have specialised in this area of tax.

VAT Registration for International Companies

The UK is one of the most popular locations for companies to expand to and offers many benefits.

VAT Registration in the UK – Why Overseas Companies need it?

VAT registration in the UK for foreign companies becomes relevant in several circumstances – particularly since the UK’s exit from the European Union. The most common reasons to obtain a VAT number UK:

Import of goods: When goods are imported to the UK from outside the UK, VAT and import duties are incurred at the point of entry. VAT can be reclaimed if the importer holds a VAT number UK, and payments of import VAT can be delayed.
Turnover threshold exceeded: Making sales of goods or services in the UK over the UK turnover threshold (£90,000 for UK-established businesses, £0 for foreign companies) will require a VAT registration.
Stock held in UK: If stock is held in the UK and sold to UK customers (e.g. via Amazon FBA), you need to obtain a VAT number UK.
E-commerce platforms: Where low-value goods (under £135) are sold in the UK by sellers from outside the UK, the e-commerce platform may be required to register for VAT and declare the output tax for these transactions on behalf of the seller.
Services to UK customers: Certain cross-border services to UK customers also require VAT registration.

The advantages of VAT registration in the UK

VAT registration in the UK provides non-UK companies with following benefits:

How to register for VAT in the UK when your business is in
USA, Germany or France?

Our VAT Advisory Services for International Companies

We advise foreign companies comprehensively on all aspects of VAT – from VAT registration to compliant invoicing and complex international transaction structures.

Our services:

Proactive advice: We minimise VAT costs and administrative burden upfront – before costly mistakes occur.
VAT compliance reviews: We check whether your VAT liability is correct and where restrictions on VAT recovery may apply.
HMRC inspection support: We support you during UK government tax inspections – from preparation to closing meetings.
Specialist areas: Cross-border trade, property and construction, digital supplies, e-commerce.

Why early advice matters:

Many clients contact us after problems have already arisen – when high VAT costs have been incurred. Retrospective corrections are time-consuming and often more expensive than professional advice from the outset.

What are the costs of registering for VAT in the UK?

The cost of VAT registration varies depending on the complexity of your case – in some instances, the tax authorities require additional information.

One-off registration fees: Paid only once; sound advice pays for itself over the years and helps avoid costly mistakes.

Ongoing costs: The cost of quarterly VAT returns depends on the complexity of your business structure and trading activities.

Fill in our contact form for a free, no-obligation quote – an advisor will get back to you shortly.

How long does it take to register for VAT in the UK?

The VAT registration processing time in UK is normally quite fast. Most time is taken to gather the information and deal with the formalities of the application. Once the VAT application has been submitted, the tax authorities may have additional questions, or require further information. It usually takes between three and six weeks for a VAT registration number (also called unique taxpayer reference or UTR in some contexts) to be issued to a non-UK company.

What are the VAT registration requirements in the UK?

For a VAT registration application, the UK tax authorities require detailed information about the business and how and where it trades. The company will have to supply details of whether it has an establishment in the UK, or whether it is trading from its non-UK head office in Germany, the USA or France for example. The applicant making the VAT application must be a director of the company and will need to supply personal identification information and details of previous and present UK VAT registrations with which they are associated.

What is the current VAT registration threshold?

Special case – foreign companies with UK establishment: If a foreign company has a UK establishment (Permanent Establishment) and exceeds the £90,000 threshold for taxable supplies (at 20%, 5% or 0% VAT), VAT registration is required. Important: The criteria for determining when exactly a registration obligation arises can be complex. This regulation was introduced by the UK government to ensure foreign companies have the same tax obligations as companies operating in the UK.

Is there a minimum turnover for VAT registration in the UK?

Frequently Asked Questions about the VAT registration in the UK

UK VAT Registration Services cover VAT registration, tax setup and ongoing HMRC VAT Compliance requirements for businesses operating in the United Kingdom. A correct VAT structure is essential for companies selling goods or services in the UK. This is particularly important for international businesses, e-commerce companies and non-resident businesses that must understand specific UK VAT obligations. Combined with UK Company Formation Services, UK Accounting Services and UK Market Entry Services, Axada supports companies in establishing and managing compliant UK VAT structures.

What is the UK VAT rate?

The UK VAT rate (VAT UK Rate) changes very little. Businesses must ensure that the correct UK VAT rate is applied to maintain full HMRC VAT compliance. Incorrect VAT handling may lead to HMRC penalties, additional liabilities, back payments and further HMRC audits and should therefore be avoided.

Professional VAT support helps companies maintain UK VAT compliance.

When is VAT Registration UK required?

VAT Registration UK becomes mandatory when specific legal requirements are met.

For UK-established businesses, registration is generally required once taxable turnover exceeds the relevant VAT threshold.

However, non-UK businesses (Non-Established Taxable Persons) may face different rules. In many cases, there is no standard turnover threshold, meaning registration may be required from the first taxable transaction in the UK.

This is particularly relevant for: