How to start selling online in the UK

You can start selling online in the UK in under two weeks. Pick a platform (Shopify, WooCommerce, or a marketplace like Amazon UK), register for VAT if your turnover exceeds £90,000, set up payments, and ship your first order. The hard part is not the setup. It is getting traffic and converting it.

Cross-border e-commerce from the UK after Brexit

UK e-commerce sellers shipping to the EU face customs declarations, EU VAT collection, and consumer protection rules different from the UK. For low-value goods under €150 the IOSS scheme simplifies VAT collection. For higher values, either bill DDP (delivery duty paid) and collect EU VAT at checkout or accept that customer experience will suffer.

Dropshipping in the UK: legal and tax considerations

Dropshipping is legal in the UK. You sell products to consumers without holding stock, with a supplier shipping directly. Tax obligations are the same as any other UK seller: register for Self Assessment or set up a company, register for VAT at £90,000 turnover, and pay tax on profits. The hard part is not legality. It is finding products and suppliers that work.