As a UK Sole Trader that is NOT VAT registered, do I have to charge VAT when selling abroad?

Accounting & Taxes

Topic summary

UK sole trader selling via Shopify/Printful is asking whether VAT must be charged on sales to the UK, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and possibly other countries while remaining below the UK VAT registration threshold.

Key point raised:

  • The seller assumes UK customers would not be charged VAT because the business is not VAT-registered and stays under the threshold.
  • The main uncertainty is whether selling abroad changes that position or creates VAT/tax obligations in other countries.

Most recent development:

  • A reply does not provide a direct tax answer, but instead links to a Brexit guide for Shopify merchants and offers invoicing support.
  • Brexit is referenced as relevant context for cross-border UK sales, but no specific rule or decision is given in the discussion.

Current status:

  • The question remains unresolved.
  • No concrete outcome, confirmed tax treatment, or action plan is established beyond consulting the shared guide for further information.
Summarized with AI on March 9. AI used: gpt-5.4.
2

Hey @RyanUK ,

It’s great that you are expanding your business!

I’d love to share our Brexit Guide for Shopify merchants with you, I hope it will help to find answers to some questions.

If you have any questions regarding invoicing, feel free to get in touch with us at support@sufio.com

All the best,

Lenka from Sufio