topic Re: VAT in Member To Member Support

VAT

bluebell858 — Thu, 19 Mar 2026 14:44:28 GMT

I’m a private seller purchasing on behalf of a VAT registered business. I’ve recently purchased an item from a VAT registered business seller but they have failed to issue me with a VAT invoice. I’ve asked the seller twice through contact seller but no response. What can I do? The business needs to be able to recover the VAT

Re: VAT

tobiasd4 — Thu, 19 Mar 2026 16:09:26 GMT

As you are not a VAT registered buyer, nothing ebay will do.

All you can do is ask seller to supply VAT invoice, but it is between you & them to resolve.

Re: VAT

bluebell858 — Thu, 19 Mar 2026 18:52:23 GMT

Thanks for this. You are correct I only have a private account and I’m not personally VAT registered but I am buying on behalf of a VAT registered company. Would it be best to set up a business account and use this for these types of purchase? The company wouldn’t be a business seller.
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Re: VAT

red_magpie — Thu, 19 Mar 2026 19:30:00 GMT

Why don't you get the VAT registered business on whose behalf you are buying things to register with eBay themselves? They can then authorise you to purchase items on their account.

Re: VAT

john1297576 — Thu, 19 Mar 2026 19:41:01 GMT

“The company wouldn’t be a business seller.”

There are only two sorts of account, Business and Private.

Therefore a Company is a Business seller and has a Business Account .

Re: VAT

bluebell858 — Thu, 19 Mar 2026 19:52:23 GMT

Thanks for your comment.

The purchases are for a restored steam locomotive which is owned by a VAT registered Ltd company. Parts, tools etc are needed from time to time to maintain locomotive but it doesn’t sell anything. When I request VAT invoices from sellers, some provide them, others just ignore my request.
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Re: VAT

tobiasd4 — Thu, 19 Mar 2026 20:09:06 GMT

You can have a business account just for buying.

It doesn't have to sell anything.