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TEDB Official Sourced · 2026 Reference

United Kingdom VAT Rate on Basic Foodstuffs & Groceries

Complete statutory VAT classification, cross-border B2B reverse charge conditions, and EU OSS reporting guidance for supplies in United Kingdom.

0%
Zero Rate
Annex III §1

Statutory Classification & Directives

Under official European Commission regulations and national legislation in United Kingdom, supplies of Basic Foodstuffs & Groceries are subject to the 0% zero rate.

Statutory Note: Categorisation of luxury food (caviar, foie gras) varies — usually standard rate even if 'food'.
Cross-Border B2B Supplies (Art. 196)
When selling to a VAT-registered business customer in United Kingdom from another EU member state, the reverse-charge mechanism applies. The invoice is issued with 0% VAT, citing "Reverse charge: Art. 196 of Council Directive 2006/112/EC".
B2C Distance Sales & One Stop Shop (OSS)
Sales to private consumers in United Kingdom require charging United Kingdom VAT (0%) once your pan-EU cross-border sales exceed €10,000. These obligations can be consolidated into a single quarterly OSS return without local registration.
Physical Inventory & Amazon Pan-EU FBA
Holding stock within a fulfillment warehouse located in United Kingdom creates an immediate domestic VAT registration obligation regardless of sales volume. OSS cannot be used to report domestic supplies from local inventory.

Active VAT Rates in United Kingdom (TEDB Schedule)

Complete breakdown of all standard, reduced, super-reduced, and parking VAT rates officially published for United Kingdom:

Classification Applied Conditions & Scope Rate
Standard rate UK standard rate, unchanged since 4 Jan 2011 20%
Reduced rate UK reduced rate (domestic fuel, child car seats, etc.) 5%
Zero-rated UK zero rate (food, books, children clothes, public transport, etc.) 0%

Live Compliance Engine Verification

Test calculations or verify another product category in United Kingdom using the live statutory engine:

EU & UK Live Rates · TEDB

Live VAT Rate Finder & Classification

Authoritative rate lookup and statutory legal basis direct from the European Commission Taxes in Europe Database (TEDB).

Standard rate Germany (DE) General goods
19% Standard rate
All rates active in this country (2)
Classification Applied Categories & Conditions Rate
Standard rate General standard rate application 19%
Reduced rate Provision of medical and dental care and thermal treatment · Reduced rate only on the supply of services by dental technicians in their professional capacity and the supply of dental prostheses by dentists and dental technicians. See preliminary remarks to “Reduced rates” and the “General comments” field 7%
Source: European Commission TEDB Verify on TEDB ↗
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Frequently Asked Questions

The statutory VAT rate on Basic Foodstuffs & Groceries in United Kingdom is 0% (Zero), synchronized with the European Commission Directorate-General for Taxation and Customs Union (TEDB) database.
Yes. Under Council Directive 2006/112/EC Art. 196, cross-border B2B supplies of services between EU taxable persons trigger the mandatory reverse charge. The customer self-accounts for VAT in United Kingdom, and the supplier issues a zero-rated invoice referencing Art. 196 / Art. 226(11a).
EU-established sellers can utilize the pan-EU €10,000 threshold (Council Directive 2006/112/EC Art. 59c). Once total cross-border B2C sales across all EU member states exceed €10,000 in a calendar year, destination-country VAT applies, which can be reported via the One Stop Shop (Union OSS) quarterly return.
Non-EU businesses holding stock locally (e.g. in Amazon Pan-EU FBA warehouses located in United Kingdom) must maintain a direct domestic VAT registration. For goods imported under €150 directly to consumers, the Import One Stop Shop (IOSS) can be utilized instead.

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Complete United Kingdom VAT Guide

Everything you need to know about VAT registration thresholds, local filing deadlines, and compliance rules in United Kingdom.

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Other Rates in United Kingdom

Basic Foodstuffs & Groceries in Other EU Markets

LATESTBC’s PST Expansion Reaches Fabric and Pattern Sellers October 1 — Days … → OSS returns are filed quarterly — one return for all 27 EU states. Overseas sellers: VAT is due from your first EU sale — no threshold. IOSS covers imported goods up to €150 in value. 27 EU member states, one OSS registration.