The UK is one of the fastest ways for e-exporters to expand into the European market. Establishing a Limited Liability Company (Ltd) in the UK for Turkey-based companies that want to sell on platforms such as Amazon UK, Etsy, Shopify; provides serious benefits in terms of tax advantage, digital platform compatibility and prestige.
Export Partners can provide you with consultancy services with its experienced and expert team in company establishment and sales processes. Please take a look at our training packages.
In this guide, we take you step by step through the UK company incorporation process, tax number applications, VAT exemption, bank accounts and annual declaration obligations.
Why Set Up a Company in the UK?
- Ease of access to intra-European markets
- Corporate tax advantage starting at 19%
- Company incorporation in 2-3 working days
- Citizenship or residence permit not mandatory
- Technical compatibility with Amazon UK and similar platforms
Know the Process for Setting Up a Company
1. Company Name
- Eligibility is checked through Companies House
- The suffix "Limited" or "Ltd" is mandatory
2. Registered Office Address
- A legal office address is mandatory in the UK
- This address is used for official company correspondence
3. SIC Code
- The company defines its field of activity
- Example: 47910 - Internet retail sales
4. Application Process
- Application for incorporation to establish a company is made online
- Registration is usually completed within 24-72 hours
Documents Delivered After Installation
- Certificate of Incorporation
- Articles of Association
- Share Certificate
- Company Register
- Registered Office Proof
Tax Records and Numbers
UTR (Unique Taxpayer Reference)
- Automatically assigned by HMRC
- Used for tax declarations
EORI Number
- Used for intra-European logistics and customs clearance
VAT (Value Added Tax) Registration
- 90.000 GBP is mandatory for companies exceeding the annual turnover limit
- Companies wishing to sell on platforms such as Amazon UK usually require a VAT number
- However, in some cases, VAT exemption can be claimed, especially if the sales volume is low and the company has elements that can be considered UK-based (e.g. registered office, physical operations)
- Exemption acceptance depends on platform policies and HMRC assessments
Read our article about the Vat system in the UK.
Corporation Tax - 2025 Rates
| Annual Profit Amount | Tax Rate |
| £0 - £50,000 | 19% fixed |
| £50,001 - £250,000 | 19-25% |
| £250,001 and over | 25% fixed |
Annual Declarations
Every company incorporated in the UK, whether active or not, must make the following declarations:
Corporation Tax Return (CT600)
- Profit and loss statement - once a year to HMRC
Annual Accounts
- Company balance sheet - to Companies House
- "Empty" even in passive (dormant) companies should be presented as
Confirmation Statement
- Updating shareholding structure and company information - once a year
Bank Account and Financial Infrastructure
For entrepreneurs without a physical presence in the UK, it is possible to open a bank account with the following digital solutions:
- Wise Business
- Payoneer UK
These accounts can be used to receive payments from platforms such as Amazon and Etsy.
Conclusion
Establishing a company in the UK is a strategic investment for Turkish entrepreneurs who want to expand into global markets. However, making complete annual declarations, managing VAT exemptions correctly and establishing a banking infrastructure are as important as the establishment of the company.
Proper planning of post-installation processes ensures both legal compliance and safe use of platforms.
