Do I need a licence to sell online in the UK?

No, you don’t need a licence to sell online in the UK for most everyday products. There’s no general “online selling licence”. But some products, such as alcohol, food, cosmetics, animals and fireworks, need a licence or registration, and every shop has a few basic registrations to sort out.

This guide covers what everyone needs, then the products that need extra permission. It’s a starting point as of October 2026, not legal advice. Rules change and some vary between England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, so always check gov.uk or your local council for your situation.

What every online shop needs (no licence required)

Even if your product needs no licence, these apply to almost everyone:

• Tell HMRC. As a sole trader, you’ll normally need to register for Self Assessment once your trading income goes over the £1,000 trading allowance in a tax year (as of October 2026). Limited companies register with Companies House and then for Corporation Tax.
• VAT, if you pass the threshold. As of October 2026 you must register once your VAT-taxable turnover goes over £90,000 in a rolling 12 months.
• The ICO data protection fee. Most businesses that handle customer details need to pay it, unless they’re exempt. Check ico.org.uk.
• Consumer law. Clear prices, your business details, a returns policy that reflects the 14-day right to cancel, and products that are safe and as described.

None of those are licences, but skipping them can cause bigger problems than a missing licence. Our guide to the legal pages your online shop needs covers the consumer law side.

Products that need a licence to sell online in the UK

If you sell any of these, check the rules before you list a single item.

Alcohol

Selling alcohol online counts as retail sale under the Licensing Act 2003 in England and Wales. That includes alcohol in gift hampers.

• You normally need a premises licence for the place where orders are packed and dispatched, even if that’s your home.
• The premises licence needs a designated premises supervisor who holds a personal licence.
• For occasional short sales, such as before Christmas, a temporary event notice may work instead. There are limits on how many you can use.
• You must have checks in place so you don’t sell to under-18s, including at the door on delivery.

Apply through your local council. Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own licensing systems.

Food and drink

Food businesses don’t need a licence as such, but they must register with their local council at least 28 days before trading (as of October 2026). It’s free and can’t be refused. This applies if you bake at home and sell online or through social media.

• Expect a food hygiene inspection, and get a food hygiene rating.
• Follow labelling rules, including allergens.
• Some foods (meat, fish, dairy, eggs processed for other businesses) may need council approval, which is stricter than registration.

Cosmetics, soaps and skincare

Handmade soaps, balms, bath bombs and creams count as cosmetics. In Great Britain there’s no licence, but before you sell each product you need:

• A UK-based Responsible Person (often you, if you make it).
• A Cosmetic Product Safety Report from a qualified safety assessor.
• A notification on the government’s Submit Cosmetic Product Notifications (SCPN) service.
• Correct labelling, including ingredients.

Tobacco and vapes

The Tobacco and Vapes Act 2026 received Royal Assent in April 2026 and creates a framework for a retail licensing scheme. As of October 2026, details and start dates are still to be confirmed. Single-use (disposable) vapes are already banned from sale. If you sell in this area, follow updates from your council’s trading standards team.

Animals

In England, selling animals as pets as a business needs a licence from your local council. The rest of the UK has its own rules. Selling pet food or accessories doesn’t need this licence.

Fireworks

Storing fireworks needs a licence or registration, and you can generally only sell them to the public at certain times of year (such as around Bonfire Night and New Year) unless you hold an all-year licence. The rules differ across the UK, so check with your council. Many couriers won’t carry them, so check delivery too.

Medicines and some health products

Selling medicines online, even ones sold in supermarkets, comes with specific rules and registrations through the MHRA. Medical devices have their own registration rules. Check the MHRA guidance on gov.uk before listing anything with health claims.

Products with no licence, but strict safety rules

Some products need no licence but must meet safety or marking rules before sale:

• Toys must meet toy safety rules and carry a UKCA or CE mark.
• Electrical items must be safe and correctly marked, and sellers have duties to help customers recycle old electricals.
• Gold, silver, platinum and palladium jewellery over set weights must be hallmarked by an assay office. As of October 2026 those weights are 1g for gold, 7.78g for silver, 0.5g for platinum and 1g for palladium.
• Knives and other age-restricted items need proper age checks, both when ordered and on delivery.

A quick checklist

1. 1Register with HMRC once you pass the trading allowance, or form a company.
2. 2Check whether you need to pay the ICO fee.
3. 3Look up your exact product type on gov.uk for licences, registrations or safety rules.
4. 4Apply for any licence or registration before you start selling (allow at least 28 days for food).
5. 5Add your business details, terms and returns policy to your site.
6. 6Keep records of safety checks, labels and certificates in case you’re asked for them.

In short

For most products, you don’t need a licence to sell online in the UK. You do need to register for tax, check the ICO fee and follow consumer law. If you sell alcohol, food, cosmetics, tobacco or vapes, animals, fireworks or medicines, there are extra steps, so check gov.uk or your council first. This isn’t legal advice: if your product is in a grey area, a short conversation with trading standards or a solicitor is well worth it.