UK and EU VAT Requirements - what you need to do
In 2021, a number of significant changes were made to the rules for collection of VAT on items imported into the UK and EU, as well as certain shipments within the EU and within the UK.
The changes took effect from 1 January 2021 in the UK, and from 1 July 2021 in the EU.
If you are registered for EU or UK VAT, you should take the following actions:
- Provide VAT rates: when listing on any EU or UK site, always provide the gross price and the VAT rate you used to calculate the gross price. Where eBay has to collect VAT on your sales to EU or UK buyers, eBay will add it to your listing price net of your indicated VAT rate. This ensures that we can always display the correct VAT-inclusive price to EU or UK buyers and that eBay doesn't collect VAT on an already-VAT inclusive price, which would make your listing uncompetitive. If you did not apply VAT, you can leave this field empty. Where eBay has to collect VAT, we will add this on top of your listing price. Learn more about the eBay calculation methodology. Update VAT rates on your listings - opens in new window or tab.
- Share eBay's tax number for imports: where eBay has collected VAT on your shipment from the UK to the EU (up to a consignment value of EUR 150), always electronically provide to your carrier the Import One-Stop Shop (IOSS) number provided by eBay as part of the order details. Otherwise, your buyers may have to pay VAT again on delivery.
If your buyer has provided a delivery address in Metropolitan France or Monaco, you may receive a separate number instead of the IOSS number, in which case please ensure that you electronically provide this number to your carrier instead of the IOSS number. Otherwise, your buyers may have to pay VAT again on delivery.
If you are not registered for EU or UK VAT, you should take the following actions:
- Get familiar with EU import VAT: if you are not registered for VAT, you do not need to add a VAT rate to your listings. Where eBay has to collect VAT, we will add VAT on top of your listing price for shipments into the EU with a consignment value up to EUR 150.
- Share eBay's tax number for EU imports: where eBay has collected VAT on your shipment into the EU (up to a consignment value of EUR 150), always electronically provide to your carrier the Import One-Stop Shop (IOSS) number provided by eBay as part of the order details.
If your buyer has provided a delivery address in Metropolitan France or Monaco, you may receive a separate number instead of the IOSS number, in which case please ensure that you electronically provide this number to your carrier instead of the IOSS number. Otherwise, your buyers may have to pay VAT again on delivery.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is VAT?
VAT is a tax on consumer spending. When a VAT registered seller makes sales within the UK or EU, they are obliged to collect VAT based on the delivery country of their goods. This VAT must be passed on to the national tax authorities via VAT return filings.
In most countries it is possible to register for VAT online, and to complete your VAT returns through the local tax authority's website.
In practice, the following situations will normally trigger mandatory VAT registration in the UK or the EU:
- Sales of goods which exceed a locally defined threshold.
Note that thresholds vary from country to country and do not generally apply to overseas or non-established sellers. If a seller is selling goods domestically, they should check the threshold with their tax authorities or a local tax advisor. - Sales of goods from a local warehouse, by a non-resident seller (forward deployed inventory).
- Sales of digital or eservices to private individuals.
- For the EU only, cross border sales in excess of EUR 10,000. The EU operates a single EU-wide distance selling VAT registration threshold of EUR 10,000. This means that if you make sales to non-VAT registered buyers in any EU country, and the combined total of those sales exceeds EUR 10,000 (£8,818), you will need to collect VAT in all EU countries based on the delivery address. To do this you will either have to register for VAT in each of the EU countries where you make sales, or use the EU VAT One Stop Shop - opens in new window or tab.
More information can be found at the following sites:
- UK: VAT registration - opens in new window or tab, Businesses selling goods in the UK using online marketplaces - opens in new window or tab
- EU: EU Guidance on VAT for online sellers - opens in new window or tab
It's mandatory that you display your VAT identification number on the eBay site in connection with your listings. This can be done by updating your business seller information page.
Note for Northern Ireland sellers:
- Following the end of the Brexit transition period on 31 December 2020, Northern Ireland sellers should use the country code prefix 'XI'
- Any business that requires an 'XI' number should contact HMRC - opens in new window or tab
- Please ensure that your VAT ID including the prefix 'XI' is updated in your eBay account preferences
VAT import regulations for the UK and EU
In 2021, there were significant changes made to the rules for collection of VAT on items imported into the UK and EU, as well as certain shipments within the EU and within the UK. We've outlined below how these impact eBay sellers.
Please speak with a tax professional if you have any questions about your tax obligations.
Sales to buyers in the EU after 1 July 2021
Goods sold in the EU are generally subject to VAT.
The VAT rates which apply differ by country and are based on the type of goods sold. More information about VAT rates at an EU level - opens in new window or tab and the EU searchable database of VAT rates - opens in new window or tab are available.
Where goods are imported into the EU, import VAT and, in certain cases, customs duty will apply. The VAT rate due at import will be the same rate as would be applied if the goods were supplied within the country of import.
More information about EU VAT rules
- General information on VAT - opens in new window or tab
- VAT rates applied in the EU - opens in new window or tab
- VAT changes for eCommerce from July 2021 - opens in new window or tab
- Member States of the EU - opens in new window or tab
From July 2021, the EU implemented legislation which shifts the responsibility for collecting VAT for online purchases from sellers to marketplaces such as eBay in certain circumstances.
The EU distance selling rules
There is a single EU-wide threshold of EUR 10,000 for goods shipped to consumers within the EU (distance selling). If your intra-EU distance sales are above the threshold of EUR 10,000, you will have to charge VAT based on the delivery country either through:
- A direct VAT registration for each Member State you are selling to, or
- Using the One Stop Shop (OSS) - opens in new window or tab.
If your intra-EU sales remain below EUR 10,000, you can continue to declare and pay VAT in line with your existing VAT obligations.
If you are uncertain about how the new rules apply to your business, you should consult your tax advisor.
Sales to buyers in the UK
Goods sold in the UK are subject to UK VAT. The standard UK VAT rate is 20%, but the rates of 5% and 0% may also apply to certain items.
Where goods are imported into the UK, import VAT and in certain cases customs duty will apply. The VAT rate due at import will be the same rate as would be applied if the goods were supplied within the UK.
More information about UK VAT on gov.uk
- VAT rates - opens in new window or tab
- VAT: detailed information - opens in new window or tab
- UK VAT rates on different goods and services and VAT exempt categories - opens in new window or tab
In January 2021, the UK introduced legislation which shifts the responsibility for collecting VAT for online purchases from sellers to marketplaces such as eBay in certain circumstances.
Channel Islands
Although the Channel Islands are Crown Dependencies, they are actually self-governing independent territories and not part of the UK. Consequently, for the purposes of collecting VAT, they are considered as third countries.
Goods shipped from the Channel Islands
As the Channel Islands are not part of the UK for VAT purposes, eBay is obliged to collect VAT on goods shipped from Channel Islands into the UK, unless the seller has prepaid import VAT under the Import VAT Accounting Scheme (IVAS) procedures with Jersey Post.
If you have registered under the IVAS scheme, please ensure that you have provided eBay with your IVAS number.
Goods shipped to the Channel Islands
As shipments to the Channel Islands are exports, eBay will not collect UK VAT on shipments to the Channel Islands.
For shipments to Jersey after 1 July 2023, eBay collects GST in line with Jersey obligations for marketplace sales.
About invoices
Where eBay has collected VAT under the UK or EU rules:
- eBay will issue the invoice to the buyers. Invoices will include the VAT amount collected by eBay. eBay will remit this VAT amount to the responsible tax authorities. Sellers should not issue separate VAT invoices in these cases. Sellers should also not adjust their prices after checkout
- For sellers where eBay collects UK VAT on the transaction, eBay will issue the sellers with a transaction document showing details of the sales which can be used as evidence for their records that eBay has collected VAT
- For sellers where eBay collects EU VAT on the transaction under OSS or IOSS rules, eBay will issue sellers with either a transaction document (imports) or a self-billing invoice (valid VAT registration number on file, with goods sold from within the EU) as appropriate
This document will show details of the transaction for which eBay has taken on VAT responsibility, and can be used for the seller's own records as evidence that eBay has collected VAT - Sellers who are not using Seller Hub can download reports by simply navigating to: My eBay > My Account > Seller Account > Account Activity and scroll down to download the report
- Sellers using Seller Hub can download a report of all orders by going to My eBay > Selling > and download the report of all orders
- eBay will not issue invoices for French VAT collected on imports above EUR 150
About margin schemes
Business sellers are eligible to use the VAT margin schemes when they are selling the following products:
- Second-hand goods
- Works of art
- Antiques
- Collectors' items
However, under EU and UK rules, where eBay has VAT collection obligations, eBay cannot legally apply margin schemes for those products. Where eBay is obliged to collect VAT on these types of items, eBay will collect VAT on the full value at the appropriate rate to the items.
Failure to meet VAT requirements
eBay takes VAT compliance seriously. If eBay determines or receives official information that you are not meeting your VAT obligations, or if you provide incorrect information which does not permit eBay to collect VAT correctly in cases where eBay is obliged to collect VAT, your account may be blocked from selling and your active listings may be removed. You may then need to contact us to reinstate your selling privileges.
In order to prevent any impact to your eBay sales, you should always ensure that:
- Your account is up to date, with accurate details of your registered addresses and any locations from which you ship your goods
- Your VAT identification details are added and are valid. Add or update your VAT ID numbers on eBay - opens in new window or tab
- Your business name matches the details on file with the responsible tax authorities
If you are required to have a UK VAT ID - opens in new window or tab, you can register for VAT by contacting HMRC - opens in new window or tab. If you need a VAT ID for an EU country, please contact the relevant tax authority.
You can check your registered VAT information through the official UK and EU sites.
- Verify a UK VAT number - opens in new window or tab
- Verify an EU VAT number - opens in new window or tab
- Check the business name on your eBay account matches the company name on file with HMRC and Companies House. If all three locations don't match, you need to update that information. If you update your business name on eBay or Companies House, this may require extra payment verification and affect your payouts
Get specialised advice on staying compliant with VAT regulations
eBay has partnered with Avalara, eClear, and Taxdoo to offer discounts on VAT preparation and filing for eBay sellers. There are 3 packages (Light, Full, and Extra) to support sellers with different services. Learn more about what is being offered:
- Avalara - opens in new window or tab
- eClear - opens in new window or tab
- Taxdoo - opens in new window or tab
Helpful links
- Tax policy: tax regulations that apply to eBay sales
- Taxes and import charges
- Paying tax on eBay purchases
- International purchases and postages for buyers
- EU VAT rules – European Commission - opens in new window or tab
- EU country specific information on VAT – European Commission - opens in new window or tab