Licenses and permits to open a warehouse or 3PL in London
A warehouse adds occupancy and fire rules for storage, and customs filings when it handles imports. Here are the 4 filings, in the order they're made.
Company incorporation
Companies HouseUnited Kingdom, national
Filed online with Companies House. Every director and person with significant control must verify their identity first.
- Fee
- Varies
- Filed
- Filed online
- Takes
- Online applications are usually done within 24 hours.
VAT registration
HM Revenue & CustomsUnited Kingdom, national
Required once taxable turnover passes £90,000 in 12 months. A business not established in the UK registers from its first UK sale.
- Fee
- Free
- Filed
- Filed online
Employer registration (PAYE)
HM Revenue & CustomsUnited Kingdom, national
Register before the first payday; it can take up to 5 working days to get the employer reference.
- Fee
- Free
- Filed
- Filed online
EORI number for importing
HM Revenue & CustomsUnited Kingdom, national
Needed before moving goods into the UK.
- Fee
- Free
- Filed
- Filed online
More on opening in London
Questions people ask
Other businesses in London
Agency requirements change. Check each agency's page before you file.
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Get the plan for your warehouse or 3PL in London
This guide covers the city. Your exact address decides the county, the health district and the zoning. Placetta maps every filing for it, fills the official forms from your details, adds the deadlines and puts them up for your approval.
- The full list for your address, in filing order
- The official forms, filled line by line
- Renewal and inspection reminders