Explore shelf-company options with the registrations your business needs. Understand the company records, purchase scope and practical handover before choosing a route.
A shelf-company enquiry starts with the intended business, not just a registration number. You may need a basic company, an existing VAT registration or specific customs registrations. Establish the exact requirement and review evidence for the company offered. The pages below separate purchase options from the checks and questions that help you make an informed decision.
Compare a basic shelf company with VAT and VAT-and-customs options. State what the business will do and which registrations are required by a client or transaction. Additional industry requirements should be discussed separately.
Ask about identity, ownership, trading history, liabilities and registration status. Review the company documents and supporting evidence together. An older incorporation date does not establish a trading track record or guaranteed tender eligibility.
Confirm the transfer records, proposed directors and shareholders, access arrangements and any name change. The quote should distinguish completed work from items awaiting authority or bank processing. Keep the agreed scope and delivered records together.
7 services, with guidance and a relevant enquiry route for each.
Looking for an existing company without assuming that VAT or customs registration comes with it? Vatco helps you discuss basic shelf-company options, understand the records and planned changes, and compare the purchase with registering a new company for your business.
Explore VAT-registered options, company checks and the purchase handover.
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.
The purchase is one part of becoming ready to use an existing company. Vatco helps you understand the buyer preparation, transaction documents and administrative changes involved, so responsibilities are clear before you agree terms and remain clear after the handover.
A VAT number is an important detail, but it is not the whole purchase decision. Vatco helps buyers understand the company and VAT evidence they should review, the questions to resolve and the updates that may still be needed before relying on an existing registration.
Before relying on an advertised shelf company with VAT and a customs code, understand which entity and activities the records cover. Vatco helps you organise the relevant questions, identify gaps and plan the administrative work around the company’s intended trading role.
Availability is only useful when the company suits your requirements. Tell Vatco what you need the entity to do, the registrations that matter and your preferred timing. We can then discuss current options and the information needed to evaluate a specific offer.
Bring a description of your intended activity, the registrations requested, proposed ownership and target date. If you are buying for a contract or tender, share its actual requirements. Availability and the scope of a particular company need to be confirmed before a price or completion estimate can be relied on.
Use the service-specific enquiry when you know what you need, or choose the general enquiry to describe your situation. Confirm the included work, required records, fees and estimated stages before proceeding.
Start with what the business needs: an existing entity, VAT registration or customs registration as well. Review the company-specific evidence and outstanding work rather than choosing solely by the package name or incorporation date.
Availability must be confirmed for the particular option. Ask about the records, registration status and handover steps as well as whether a company is available. Do not rely on a stock or completion assumption before receiving the details.
Do not treat a VAT number as a standalone purchase for a separate entity. If your current business needs VAT registration, discuss that company’s own registration requirements and compare this with buying another company.
VAT and customs registrations address different requirements. If the business will import or export, identify the actual activity and registration needed. Confirm the customs records and scope of any offered package explicitly.
Compare the specific company, evidence supplied, proposed amendments, transfer documents, access assistance, exclusions and payment terms. Consider any follow-up work or recurring accounting support separately from the initial purchase amount.
Plan the company’s bookkeeping, tax submissions and ongoing company records. Confirm authorised access, the documents handed over and any outstanding items. The service pages link to related support so these next steps can be discussed early.
Go deeper with guidance from the relevant authorities.
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