Amazon UK VAT Invoices

StarshipUK

This is the second time I have been stung by Amazon by this problem.

I bought a Printer Cartridge for business use from Amazon UK which was sold by a Ltd (VAT Registered) marketplace seller, but the item was Fulfilled by Amazon (Amazon was out of stock of this item at the time).

"Fulfilment by Amazon (FBA) is a service Amazon offers sellers that lets them store their products in Amazon's warehouses, and Amazon directly does the picking, packing, shipping and customer service on these items."

This means if there are any customer service issues than Amazon Customer Service deals with these, rather than the seller.

The item was sent without a VAT Invoice. I twice requested an invoice via Amazon Chat and also sent direct messages to the seller on their Amazon page.

I was then told by Amazon chat:
In line with our Participation Agreement, all sellers on Amazon
Marketplace agree that it is their responsibility to determine and declare any VAT charges that arise from the sale of goods and services by the seller to the buyer.
You can view our Participation Agreement at the following URL:

Should the seller not respond to our second request, we won't be able to offer any additional insight or action on these matters.

This is despite Amazon providing the customer services for this item and not being able to contact the seller directly. There is no phone number listed for the seller, but is an address shown. I believe this address is fake as I have contacted the building who have told me they have never heard of the company. I asked Amazon about this and they did not not seem concerned by this.

Also I am not the only person who has been unable to obtain a VAT invoice from this seller, someone left this feedback to the seller:
"Product fine and as expected. However, despite two requests (via Amazon) VAT invoice is still not forthcoming. Hence the 1-star review for the seller."

I know VAT Invoices has always been a grey area with Amazon Marketplace Sellers, but when the item is sold by a Ltd company where Amazon deals with the customer services on their behalf, surely something is wrong here or am I going mad?

Only option I have now it seems is to send the printer cartridge back for a refund, at my time and expense.

Tiddlywinks

Is the item valued at less than £250:

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/vat/managing/charging/vat-invoices.htm#6

Look at the definition of a simplified invoice.

StarshipUK

Any type of VAT invoice would be fine, but I do not have the sellers VAT registration number. Neither seller or Amazon will provide any type of VAT invoice for this.

earthstorm

StarshipUK wrote: »

Any type of VAT invoice would be fine, but I do not have the sellers VAT registration number. Neither seller or Amazon will provide any type of VAT invoice for this.

Are you sure they are VAT registered as just being a Limited Company does not mean you are VAT registered or have to be VAT registered.

Tiddlywinks

StarshipUK wrote: »

Any type of VAT invoice would be fine, but I do not have the sellers VAT registration number. Neither seller or Amazon will provide any type of VAT invoice for this.

Amazon normally includes an invoice with a product description etc... was there nothing in the parcel?

StarshipUK

There was a delivery note with "This Is Not A VAT Invoice" written on it, as this is a marketplace seller with fulfilment by Amazon. The sellers page indicates they are VAT Registered.

Azari

Have you considered contacting HMRC for their advice?

StarshipUK

Yes, and while they can launch their own investigation into non receipt of a VAT Invoice, they can't actually do anything to make a seller provide one to you - pretty much like you are doing them a favour but they will not do anything to help you.

I really think the only option is to return it and remember to never ever use Amazon Marketplace sellers ever again - or at least until Amazon finally fixes its broken system.

paddyrg

If it's a limited company, look it up on companies house webcheck - you can get certain details (including directors name) for free (and it's £1 to get more details which may include personal addresses) and it may help you track down someone who can give you a VAT number.

phill79

This happened to me not long ago for a MUCH higher priced item. Amazon were useless, they basically said if the seller doesn't respond after 2 attempts then there isn't anything else they could do.
It now means I will never buy anything from Amazon for business that isn't FROM Amazon themselves.

SuperHan

Their VAT number should be on their Amazon seller page if they are VAT registered....

See the detailed seller information box on the right on this page:

'http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aag/main?ie=UTF8&asin=&isAmazonFulfilled=1&isCBA=&marketplaceID=A1F83G8C2ARO7P&orderID=&seller=A3FTUF07M34VEQ'

What is on their page to indicate that they are VAT registered if there is no number?