How to Buy a UK Shelf Company — Complete Step-by-Step Guide

Your first decision is which package matches your business needs. Royale Corporate offers four main categories:

Also consider company age. An aged company (2–5+ years) provides better credibility with banks, Stripe, PayPal, Amazon, and traditional suppliers. Royale Corporate maintains companies of various ages.

Contact Royale Corporate via:

• WhatsApp: +44 7459 615215 (fastest response — usually same hour)
• Phone: (Mon–Fri 09:00–18:00 GMT)
• Email: info@royalecorporate.co.uk (response within 2 business hours)
• Contact Form: royalecorporate.co.uk/contact

When you first contact Royale Corporate, have ready:

• Your country of residence (required for AML assessment)
• Your intended business use (Amazon FBA, import/export, consulting, etc.)
• Required company age (any / 1+ year / 2+ years / 3+ years)
• VAT / EORI / bank account requirements
• Urgency (standard 3–5 days vs expedited if required)

Before paying anything, Royale Corporate provides the company registration number. Independently verify it at find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk.

What to check:

• Incorporation date — confirms the company age
• Confirmation statement — should be up to date
• Accounts — should show as dormant
• Charges — should show no registered charges or mortgages
• Officers — current director shown (Royale Corporate's outgoing director)
• SIC code — typically 46900 (non-specialised wholesale)

All Royale Corporate shelf companies pass this check. You are encouraged to verify independently before payment.

Royale Corporate is HMRC-supervised for Anti-Money Laundering compliance. All buyers must submit:

• Government-issued photo ID — passport or national ID card (clear scan/photo)
• Proof of address — bank statement or utility bill dated within the last 3 months
• For corporate buyers: company registration documents may also be required

Royale Corporate typically completes KYC review within 24 hours of document submission. All data is handled under UK GDPR / Data Protection Act 2018 and stored securely.

Royale Corporate issues a formal invoice from Royale Advisory Ltd (Company No. ). Accepted payment methods:

• UK bank transfer (BACS/CHAPS) — same-day processing
• International SWIFT wire — 1–2 banking days
• Wise transfer — typically same-day for most currencies
• SEPA transfer (EU clients) — 1 banking day

Payment confirmation starts the transfer clock. Pricing varies by package — contact Royale Corporate for a quote specific to your requirements.

Once payment is confirmed and KYC passed, Royale Corporate's legal and secretarial team:

• Prepares Share Transfer Form (J30/Stock Transfer Form)
• Drafts Board Resolution appointing you as director
• Files AP01 form at Companies House (electronic — 24hr processing)
• Obtains outgoing director's resignation letter
• Prepares and signs Certificate of Non-Trading
• Issues Share Certificate in your name

Companies House updates the public register within 24 hours of electronic filing. You can then verify your directorship at the public register.

You receive the following documents digitally (email / secure link):

• Certificate of Incorporation — official Companies House document
• Memorandum and Articles of Association
• Share Certificate — in your name
• J30 Stock Transfer Form — signed
• Certificate of Non-Trading — legally binding statutory declaration
• Director Resignation Letter — from outgoing director
• HMRC VAT Certificate (if included in package)
• EORI Confirmation Letter (if included)
• Bank Account Credentials (if included — Wise, Zempler, or Mettle)
• 12-Month Registered Office Agreement
• Compliance Handover Guide — your ongoing obligations as director

You are now the sole director and shareholder of a UK Limited company. Here's what you can do from day one:

• Issue VAT invoices using your active UK VAT number (if included)
• Import/export goods using your EORI number for UK customs clearance (if included)
• Accept bank payments via Wise, Zempler, or Mettle (if included)
• Apply for Amazon Seller Central — your VAT and aged company date streamline approval
• Apply for Stripe/PayPal — aged company improves approval prospects
• Open accounts with UK suppliers — aged company history enables trade credit
• Apply for additional banking — with Barclays, HSBC, NatWest, or challengers

Your ongoing annual obligations: Confirmation Statement (£13/year), Dormant/Active Accounts (if trading), and VAT Returns quarterly (if VAT registered). Royale Corporate can introduce you to UK accountants.