Amazon UK reviews Chinese traders before VAT fraud clampdown

Online retailer is quietly rooting out sellers who do not hold UK VAT numbers to guard against HMRC's new tax evasion powers

Amazon is quietly rooting out many of its Chinese traders who do not hold UK VAT numbers to try to protect itself from tax evasion inquiries later this year when new HMRC powers come into force, the Guardian has learned.

The online retailer has been conducting a review of sellers' VAT compliance in the UK. It is understood to have contacted many Chinese sellers, giving them until the end of the month to provide their VAT numbers.