Country Guide
EIN for UK Entrepreneurs
Apply for a US EIN from the United Kingdom without an SSN. ein.so handles the IRS fax filing for UK-based Amazon sellers, e-commerce merchants, and service businesses. $49 Standard. $97 Express.
UK residents can get a US EIN by submitting IRS Form SS-4 by fax. Your British passport number replaces the SSN requirement. The IRS online tool does not work for UK applicants without an SSN. ein.so handles the entire fax filing process for $49 (Standard, 4-7 business days) or $97 (Express, 7 business days). No visit to the US required.
The UK-US Trade Relationship by the Numbers
The UK has 5.5 million SMEs, a GDP of $3.1 trillion, and bilateral trade with the US exceeding $260 billion annually. British entrepreneurs regularly expand into the US market through e-commerce, Amazon FBA, SaaS, consulting, and investment. A US EIN is the first thing you need to operate a US business -- it unlocks banking, payment processing, marketplace registration, and tax compliance. The GBP/USD exchange rate sits near 1.27, giving UK entrepreneurs natural pricing power in the US market.
What This Guide Covers for UK Residents
This guide covers the complete EIN application process for UK residents, including the Ltd vs LLC decision, currency management between GBP and USD, Amazon.com expansion from the UK, and how ein.so simplifies the process for British business owners. Read our complete guide on EIN for non-US residents for the full process.
| Factor | United Kingdom | United States |
|---|---|---|
| Business Entity | Ltd / PLC / Sole Trader | LLC / Corporation |
| Tax ID | UTR (10 digits) / Company Reg No | EIN (9 digits: XX-XXXXXXX) |
| Corporate Tax Rate | 25% (profits over GBP 250K) | 21% federal corporate rate |
| Banking | GBP accounts; Barclays, HSBC, Lloyds | USD accounts; Mercury, Relay, Chase |
| Currency | GBP (~1.27 per USD) | USD (global reserve currency) |
| SME Count | 5.5 million businesses | 33.2 million businesses |
Use Cases
Why Do UK Entrepreneurs Need a US EIN?
The US consumer market generates $7.1 trillion in annual retail sales -- roughly 5 times the UK's $1.4 trillion. Over 60,000 UK businesses already export to the US, and that number grows 8% year-over-year. Here are the most common reasons UK residents apply for a US EIN:
Core Business Reasons for UK Entrepreneurs
Amazon FBA Expansion
US Payment Processing
US Banking Access
Client Trust and Credibility
Entity Structure
UK Ltd vs US LLC: Which Structure Should British Entrepreneurs Choose?
92% of UK entrepreneurs we serve choose a new US LLC over qualifying their UK Ltd in the US. Formation costs $100-300, compared to $2,000+ for foreign qualification. Here is the comparison:
Side-by-Side Entity Comparison
| Factor | UK Ltd in the US | New US LLC |
|---|---|---|
| Setup Complexity | Requires foreign qualification in a US state | Simple online formation ($100-300) |
| Tax Treatment | Treated as a foreign corporation | Pass-through entity (simpler) |
| Banking | More difficult to open US bank accounts | Straightforward with EIN |
| Recommended? | Only for large companies with existing US operations | Yes, for most UK entrepreneurs |
The vast majority of UK entrepreneurs we work with form a new US LLC rather than qualifying their UK Ltd in the US. The LLC is simpler to set up, cheaper to maintain, and provides cleaner separation between your UK and US business activities. Your US LLC gets its own EIN, and you remain the sole member (owner) as an individual. For more on LLC EINs, see our EIN for LLC guide.
Currency
How Do UK Entrepreneurs Manage GBP and USD?
GBP/USD fluctuated between 1.21 and 1.31 over the past 12 months -- a 10-cent range that translates to thousands in gains or losses on a $100,000 revenue base. A US bank account eliminates forced conversion on every transaction. Here is how UK entrepreneurs structure their finances:
Multi-Currency Banking Setup
US Bank Account (via EIN)
Wise (TransferWise)
Stripe Multi-Currency
Tax Reporting in Both Currencies
The key takeaway is that your EIN-linked US bank account gives you a USD home base. Without it, every US transaction involves conversion fees and exchange rate risk. With it, you hold USD, pay USD expenses directly, and convert to GBP only when you need to. Learn more about EIN for bank accounts.
Tax Compliance
What Should UK Residents Know About US-UK Tax Obligations?
The UK corporation tax rate is 25% for profits over GBP 250,000, while a US single-member LLC owned by a non-resident is a disregarded entity. The UK-US tax treaty eliminates double taxation and reduces withholding rates to as low as 0% on certain income types. Here are the basics:
HMRC and IRS Dual Filing Requirements
US Tax Filing
HMRC Self-Assessment
VAT Considerations
ein.so handles the EIN application only -- we recommend consulting a UK-based accountant or tax adviser who understands US-UK cross-border obligations. Your EIN is the foundation for all US tax compliance. Apply for your EIN now and get started on your US business from the UK.
EIN Application Checklist for UK Residents
| Document | What to Prepare | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| British Passport | Valid, unexpired HM Passport | Passport number in foreign ID field; not NI number or UTR |
| US LLC Documents | Articles of Organization, entity name, state | Wyoming or Delaware most popular for UK applicants |
| UK Address | Full address with postcode (e.g., SW1A 1AA) | UK format accepted; ein.so optimizes for IRS |
| Registered Agent | US registered agent name and address | Serves as US business address for IRS |
| Business Activity | Brief description of US operations | E.g., "Amazon FBA," "SaaS," "consulting" |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can UK residents get a US EIN?
Yes. UK residents and British citizens can get a US EIN by submitting Form SS-4 by fax. You do not need an SSN or ITIN. Your British passport number serves as your identification on the form. ein.so handles the process for $49 (Standard, 4-7 business days) or $97 (Express, 7 business days).
Do I need to visit the US to get an EIN from the UK?
No. The entire EIN application process can be completed remotely from the UK. You submit Form SS-4 by fax, and the IRS faxes back your EIN assignment letter. ein.so handles the fax filing for you, so you never need to visit the US, call the IRS, or find a fax machine.
Should I form a US LLC or use my UK Ltd for US business?
Most UK entrepreneurs form a separate US LLC rather than registering their UK Ltd in the US. A US LLC is simpler to set up, easier to manage for US tax purposes, and provides a clean separation between your UK and US business activities. Your US LLC gets its own EIN, US bank account, and US tax filing obligations.
How does the UK-US tax treaty affect my EIN and US business?
The UK-US tax treaty prevents double taxation. Business profits from your US LLC are taxable in the UK (where you reside) unless you have a permanent establishment in the US. The treaty allows credits for taxes paid in either country. Consult a UK accountant familiar with cross-border US-UK taxation.
Can I use my EIN to sell on Amazon.com from the UK?
Yes. Amazon.com requires a tax identification number for seller registration. Your US EIN completes the tax interview, giving you full access to Amazon's US marketplace and FBA warehouses. Many UK sellers already sell on Amazon.co.uk and expand to Amazon.com using a US LLC and EIN.
How do I handle GBP to USD conversion for my US business?
Open a US bank account using your EIN to hold USD directly. Use services like Wise (TransferWise) to transfer between your UK and US accounts at competitive exchange rates. This avoids forced conversion on every transaction and gives you control over when you convert GBP to USD.
What is the difference between a UK UTR and a US EIN?
A UK Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR) is issued by HMRC for UK tax purposes. A US EIN is issued by the IRS for US tax purposes. They serve different countries. If you operate in both, you need both. Your UTR number cannot be used for US banking or tax compliance.
How long does it take a UK resident to get a US EIN?
Through ein.so: 4-7 business days (Standard $49) or 7 business days (Express $97). By phone: same day if you reach an IRS agent at 267-941-1099 (call during US business hours, 11 AM - 4 AM UK time). DIY fax: 4-7 business days if error-free.