How to input my EU VAT number?

[john_may2012]

Hi, 

How can I, as a buyer (either individual or company), add my VAT number so that I wont get charged VAT during checkout when I order things from outside of the EU.

Normally there should be a button in my account somewhere (which will do a VIES check) but I cant find one.. eBay, please help!! 

Ebay's help docs say this

https://www.ebay.co.uk/help/selling/selling/vat-obligations-eu?id=4650#section8

So how can I add my VAT number?

Note: I was told the UK boards are best for this question even though I use the .com ebay most of the time.

[myriad*seller]

You need a business account to enter a VAT number 

[john_may2012]

So I will need a new account then?

What about entering it here?
https://www.ebay.com/spr/vat

Will this apply the VAT number when I buy things?

[marco@ebay]

Hi john_may2012, thanks for your post.

I've just reviewed this, and your account is a buying only account at the moment, so you won't be given an option to enter your VAT number. You'd need to register as a seller, and then upgrade your account to business. If you click here, you can see how to register as a seller, and if you click here, you can see how to upgrade to a business account from private.

Thank you,

Marco

[john_may2012]

Hi marco@ebay , I checked all the links but the "edit" button next to account type: individual, is not present. Since I couldnt change the account type (even after I put my VAT num in the sellers portal), I ended up making a business account.

But even with my new account the only place I can put the VAT number is as a seller and not as a buyer. And when i try to buy something, the system still tries to charge me VAT.

Any idea what I can do?

[marco@ebay]

Hi john_may2012, thanks for your reply.

I've just checked, and you are still not registered as a seller. So, you won't have that option available until you register yourself as a seller first.

As advised before, you would need to follow the instructions above to register a seller first, and then you can upgrade to business after setting up your selling account following the instructions above.

Thank you,

Marco