Planning to import, export or supply customers through an existing company? Vatco helps you discuss shelf-company options with VAT and customs requirements, review the registrations relevant to your activity and understand the work needed before the company can support your trading plans.
Your requirements · A clear scope · Your next step
An existing company with VAT and customs registrations may be relevant when you plan cross-border trading. The right starting point is what the business will actually do: import goods, export goods, supply locally, move goods for another party or carry out a different customs-related activity. Those activities should not be treated as interchangeable simply because a company is described as having a customs code.
Vatco can discuss options and help identify the information and updates relevant to the proposed transaction. Availability and the precise registration position must be confirmed for the specific entity. Explain the goods you intend to trade and your role in moving them so the relevant customs requirements can be checked.
Describe the goods and the entity that will buy and import them. Review the customs role and any product permissions before relying on a combined company package.
Explain destination, goods and which party will be the exporter. A company holding one customs registration is not automatically authorised for every role or controlled product.
Provide supplier documents and the agreed dates. The company handover, authority updates and shipment requirements must be assessed together without promising clearance by a deadline.
Swipe across to compare all columns.
| Cost item | Amount or pricing basis | Inclusions and separate work |
|---|---|---|
| VAT-and-customs company purchase | Written offer for the identified entity | Confirm the actual registrations, disclosures and transaction work included. |
| Record and representative updates | Quoted by required changes | Address the ownership, contact and authorised-access work needed for the handover. |
| Goods permits and specialist approvals | Assessed for the goods and route | ITAC itself issues import/export permits free; other authority or technical costs may still apply. |
| Freight, clearing, duties and ongoing records | Separate transaction and provider costs | A company purchase is not a landed-cost quote or an ongoing bookkeeping agreement. |
Vatco confirms the professional fee and included work in writing after reviewing the records and scope. Any published authority amount is dated 30 September 2026 and should be checked against the applicable payment instruction.
Start with the records relevant to your situation. We confirm the exact scope and any authority-specific attachments before submission; briefing information is not automatically a mandatory filing document.
Compare the company name and number across the incorporation records, quotation and supporting registration information. Ask about past activity, outstanding obligations and any discrepancy.
Ask for the relevant registration or licensing evidence and any conditions or outstanding updates. Establish whether the registration is for importing, exporting or another role.
Understand the VAT registration, filing position and tax profile relevant to the entity. Where appropriate, obtain authorised confirmation of current compliance information.
The quote should list the company purchase, ownership documentation, amendments and administrative assistance included. Banking, product permits, specialist licences, freight services and ongoing accounting should not be assumed.
Explain your role in the trade, the type of goods and whether a shipment or customer deadline is already approaching. Provide any written requirement from your logistics provider or client.
When an option is available, consider its company and registration records, the buyer requirements and the proposed terms. Ask for clarification on outstanding work before agreeing.
Complete the required purchase and ownership records and the agreed company or tax administration changes. Establish who handles each step and what evidence will confirm it.
Before acting on the company’s registrations, confirm the outstanding tasks with the relevant advisers or logistics provider. The goods, origin, destination and trade arrangement may create requirements beyond the purchase.
Determine who will manage customs interactions and whether a clearing agent or another authorised representative is involved. The scope should explain the access and registration work required.
Organise supplier documents, invoices, shipping records and the accounting process for the activity.
Some trading situations require additional checks or permissions that are not established by a general customs registration. Describe the goods and planned activity accurately.
The company, VAT position and customs role must be considered together with ownership updates, banking and the intended trade. Completion depends on the actual records, buyer documentation and any relevant authority processes. Agree the handover schedule and identify the customs work still needed for your intended shipment.
Do not assume it does. Check the role or activities reflected in the registration evidence and confirm what your business intends to do. The term “customs code” can be used broadly, while the applicable registration or licence is tied to the relevant activity.
No. They relate to different administrative requirements. An entity can have one without that proving the position of the other. Review both records separately and ensure they relate to the company being purchased before relying on the description in an offer.
The company purchase does not establish permission for every product or trade arrangement. Goods-specific controls or other requirements may apply. Describe the goods and planned activity to the appropriate adviser or authority before ordering or shipping them.
Only where the agreed scope explicitly includes them. A shelf-company transaction and a freight or customs-clearing engagement are different services. Confirm who will handle shipping documents, declarations and logistics, and what information they require from the company.
Raise the shipment date at the start, but do not assume the purchase can satisfy an urgent timeline. The entity, registrations, ownership and practical trading requirements need review. Avoid committing to a clearance date based only on a general statement that a company has registrations.
The quote should specify any banking assistance separately. Banks apply their own verification and onboarding requirements. Existing company documents or tax registrations do not guarantee access to an account or approval of a new one.
Discuss whether a different option or a new company with the relevant registrations would suit the activity. Availability changes, and a company with the wrong registration scope should not be selected merely because it can be purchased. The requirements should guide the choice.
Go deeper with guidance from the relevant authorities.
Customs activities and applicable registration or licensing requirements.
Open the resource OFFICIAL RESOURCEImporter registration, authorisation and supporting documentation.
Open the resource OFFICIAL RESOURCEVAT registration and obtaining the notice of registration.
Open the resource OFFICIAL RESOURCEOfficial source supporting the dated cost information and its scope.
Open the resourceShare your requirements with Vatco.
Confirm the scope, documents and fees before proceeding.
