Public Limited Company (PLC) in United Kingdom — Amazon FBA & E-Commerce Formation Guide
For non-US residents, a US LLC (e.g., Wyoming or Delaware) is highly popular for Amazon FBA because it provides easy access to US payment gateways (Stripe, Mercury) and Amazon US, often with 0% US corporate tax if structured correctly. If selling primarily in Europe, a UK LTD or Estonian OÜ simplifies VAT registration and OSS compliance.
Last verified: June 13, 2026
Corporate Tax
25.0%
State Tax
0.0%
Formation Cost
$134
Annual Fee
$67
Forming a Public Limited Company (PLC) in United Kingdom as a Amazon FBA & E-Commerce means a total tax burden of 25.0% and an official formation cost of $134. The minimum capital requirement is 50,000 GBP. Standard formation takes 3-5 business days, or 1 business day (Same-day available) expedited. No local director is required; the process can be managed remotely. This guide covers the steps, tax breakdown, banking options, and compliance requirements — all from verified data.
First-year total cost
≈ $2,645
Ongoing (per year)
≈ $1,715
Why Public Limited Company (PLC) for Amazon FBA & E-Commerce?
A business model where you sell physical products on Amazon's marketplace, utilizing their Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) network. Choosing the right jurisdiction is critical for managing inventory taxes, VAT/Sales Tax nexus, and accessing global payment gateways.
Ideal for
- US LLC (Wyoming/Delaware) for the US market
- UK LTD for the European market
- Estonian OÜ for digital nomads
- UAE Free Zone for tax-free scaling
Challenges to watch
- Sales tax and VAT compliance across multiple states/countries
- Strict Amazon seller account verification processes
- Product liability risks requiring corporate shields
- Managing multi-currency cash flows and high conversion fees
Key decision criteria
- Does the jurisdiction support easy Amazon Seller Central registration?
- Can you easily open a business bank account compatible with Amazon disbursements?
- What are the VAT or Sales Tax nexus implications for where your inventory is stored?
- Do you need product liability insurance, and is it available for your entity type?
Public Limited Company (PLC) formation requirements
Minimum capital
50,000 GBP
Standard timeline
3-5 business days
Expedited timeline
1 business day (Same-day available)
Local director
Not required
Registered office
Virtual office allowed
Notarization
Not required
Directors can be non-residents, but the company must maintain a registered office address in the UK, and all directors must complete mandatory identity verification.
Estimated breakdown (based on avg. $150,000 revenue)
Simulate with your own revenue →
VAT / Sales Tax
Standard rate 20%. Registration threshold: 90,000 GBP. Non-UK businesses providing digital services to UK consumers must register for and charge UK VAT, with no registration threshold.
Banking & payments for Amazon FBA & E-Commerce
Opening a traditional high-street bank account (e.g., Barclays, HSBC) is notoriously difficult for non-resident founders and typically requires a UK resident director and an in-person visit. However, digital banking platforms like Wise and Revolut Business offer a much smoother, remote-friendly onboarding process. Strict KYC and AML regulations still apply, requiring comprehensive identity verification and proof of business activities.
Supported payment gateways
Remote-friendly accounts
Revolut Business
Excellent multi-currency accounts with fast remote onboarding for UK companies.
Wise Business
Ideal for international transactions with low FX fees and local account details in multiple currencies.
Tide
Popular UK fintech offering quick account setup, though primarily focused on companies with UK-resident directors.
United Kingdom incentives & advantages
R&D Tax Relief (Merged Scheme)
20% expenditure credit on qualifying R&D costs.
Full Expensing (Capital Allowances)
100% immediate tax deduction on qualifying capital expenditure.
Public Limited Company (PLC) formation steps
Choose a unique company name ending in 'PLC' or 'Public Limited Company' and verify availability.
Appoint at least two directors and one professionally qualified company secretary.
Complete mandatory identity verification for all directors and Persons with Significant Control (PSCs) via GOV.UK One Login or an Authorised Corporate Service Provider.
Prepare the Memorandum and Articles of Association tailored for a public company.
Allot the minimum share capital of £50,000, ensuring at least 25% (£12,500) is paid up.
Submit the incorporation application to Companies House and pay the £100 digital filing fee.
Apply for a Trading Certificate (Section 761) from Companies House to legally commence business and exercise borrowing powers.
Register for Corporation Tax with HMRC within 3 months of starting to do business, and register for VAT/PAYE if applicable.
Amazon FBA & E-Commerce FAQ
Can I open a US Amazon FBA account as a non-US resident?
Yes. Forming a US LLC allows you to get an EIN and open a US business bank account, which makes the Amazon Seller Central verification process much smoother and avoids high currency conversion fees.
Do I need to pay US taxes if I sell on Amazon US?
If you are a non-US resident with a single-member LLC and no physical presence (ETBUS) in the US, you may not owe US federal income tax. However, you must still collect and remit Sales Tax in states where you have economic or physical nexus (like storing inventory in an Amazon warehouse).
Which is better for Amazon Europe: UK LTD or US LLC?
A UK LTD is generally better for Amazon Europe as it simplifies obtaining a UK/EU VAT number and EORI number, which are mandatory for importing and storing goods in European fulfillment centers.
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Related guides
Complete Public Limited Company (PLC) guide
Taxes, requirements, banking, compliance
Public Limited Company (PLC) cost calculator
One-time and annual cost breakdown
🇧🇬 Amazon FBA & E-Commerce — Single-Member Limited Liability Company (EOOD)
Tax 10.0% · formation $30
🇨🇾 Amazon FBA & E-Commerce — Variable Capital Investment Company (VCIC)
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🇨🇾 Amazon FBA & E-Commerce — Company Limited by Guarantee
Tax 15.0% · formation $265
🇨🇾 Amazon FBA & E-Commerce — Sole Proprietorship
Tax 0.0% · formation $100
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