eBay have blocked from selling saying I need a VAT number

[dig.jr]

I have been blocked from selling on eBay as they say I need a VAT number. However, I don't sell much at all, a few private listings, so they say I need to get a tax emeptiom certificate from HMRC. I can not find any information on how to apply for this online. Can anyone direct me to the proper place to apply for such a thing please? Thank you.

[1902elder]

I think you need to speak to someone at Ebay, you may have to try live chat. As a private seller, you cannot have a VAT number, and you do not need a tax exemption certificate. Private sellers are allowed to earn up to £1000 from selling on Ebay without having to declare it and not liable for tax.

[dig.jr]

Thanks for the response 1902elder, I’ve had quite a few live chats with eBay now and they’ve all resulted in them telling me I need a vat number or tax exemption proof from HMRC. They don’t tell me why but I think it may be because of two things. One being I sold some furniture a couple of years ago so it may look like I’m a “ business” but I haven’t sold anything for over a year and, I changed my registered address to one In the US in order to order a gift for a family member there but forgot to change it back! I have since changed it back to my UK address but still have the block. And all the information I can find online seems to be from 2018 or earlier, with no information about tax exemption certificates... there doesn’t seem to be anybody who knows what exactly is going on and who can direct me to how to sort this out.