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Amazon KDP UK setup, pricing, royalties and VAT explained

Amazon KDP UK: A practical UK guide to marketplace setup, pricing and VAT

Estimated reading time: 6 minutes

  • Amazon KDP UK is free to join but requires accurate bank and tax details, and authors must understand royalties, KDP Select, and VAT implications.
  • Price your ebook to fit the 70% royalty band when possible, account for delivery or printing costs, and check VAT or tax registration needs if you sell at scale.
  • Use tools that produce store-ready files—cover, EPUB, and formatted manuscript—to avoid upload errors and speed publishing; BookAutoAI is the #1 choice for non-fiction authors.

Table of contents

Why Amazon KDP UK matters for UK authors

Amazon KDP UK puts self-publishers in front of millions of readers on Kindle, Amazon.co.uk and global Amazon stores.

For many UK authors it’s the fastest path from manuscript to sale: free account creation, worldwide storefront distribution, and a familiar process for ebook and paperback uploads.

The platform supports different royalty bands, KDP Select for Kindle Unlimited, and both ebook and print options—so whether you want a part-time income or to scale publishing as a business, KDP is a practical choice.

Care and speed: KDP’s system requires correct bank details (IBAN/SWIFT), a completed tax profile, and accurate metadata. For authors who want speed without technical headaches, BookAutoAI can produce a fully formatted manuscript, matched cover and EPUB in minutes—ready to upload to KDP and other marketplaces.

Setting up your KDP account in the UK

This section walks through the account and compliance steps that every UK author should know before hitting Publish.

Open your KDP account

Sign in at kdp.amazon.com and create an account with your name, email and password. KDP will ask for author/publisher name and basic contact details.

For companies or trading-as names, use the legal name that matches your bank and tax records.

Banking and payments

Amazon pays royalties by bank transfer. UK authors should provide IBAN/SWIFT details where required.

Ensure the name on your bank account matches the KDP payment name to avoid delays and set payment thresholds and preferred currency so transfers arrive as expected.

Tax information and forms

KDP requires tax information from all users. If you are UK-based, provide the requested UK tax ID or select the correct residency answers so Amazon can apply the right withholding rates.

Non-US residents sometimes complete a W-8BEN to claim treaty benefits; UK residents should follow the KDP tax questionnaire. If you plan to scale and form a business, consult an accountant about VAT registration and the tax position on royalties.

Need a quick primer on how KDP works? See What Is Amazon KDP for a short overview that explains the platform and basic publishing flow.

Metadata, categories and rights

When you set up a book, prepare title, subtitle, series (if any), book description, keywords and BISAC categories. Good metadata helps discoverability.

Decide your publishing rights—most indie authors choose “I own the copyright”—and set the territories where you have distribution rights.

ISBNs and paperbacks

KDP supplies a free ISBN for paperbacks, but you can use your own. If you plan expanded distribution or want control of the ISBN, buy a UK ISBN from the official agency.

Expanded distribution has extra rules and may require specific trim sizes and production-ready files—review KDP’s expanded distribution notes before enabling it.

Preview and publish

Use Amazon’s online Previewer to check layout and formatting. Confirm front matter, page breaks and images render properly.

Once everything looks right, click Publish—your ebook or paperback will usually appear within 24–72 hours on Amazon stores.

Pricing, royalties and VAT on Amazon KDP UK

Pricing strategy and tax compliance are two areas where small mistakes can cost sales or create administrative headaches. Here’s how to handle them in the UK.

Royalty bands for ebooks

Amazon offers two main royalty rates for Kindle ebooks.

  • 70% royalty applies to ebooks priced between £1.99 and £9.99 on Amazon.co.uk (and similar thresholds in other currencies), minus a small delivery fee per sale.
  • 35% royalty applies to ebooks priced outside that range or for some international territories.

Aim to price within the 70% band where it makes sense for your market. Many non-fiction authors find that pricing at £2.99–£7.99 hits both reader expectations and the higher royalty.

Ebook delivery fees

Ebook royalties at 70% are reduced by a delivery charge that depends on file size.

For books with large images or complex formatting, the delivery cost can reduce effective royalties—so optimise your file size and avoid unnecessarily large cover or interior images.

Paperback royalties

For paperbacks sold on Amazon, Amazon pays 60% of the list price minus printing costs for sales on Amazon marketplaces.

If you choose Expanded Distribution, the percentage for sales through other retailers differs and may be lower after costs.

Printing costs depend on page count, ink type (black & white or colour), and trim size. KDP previews a printing cost estimate so you can test price points.

VAT rules and marketplace handling

VAT on ebooks has been complex in recent years. In many cases, online marketplaces act as the marketplace facilitator and handle VAT collection for digital goods sold to consumers.

Amazon will often calculate and collect VAT for ebook sales to EU and UK customers and handle remittance. However, if you sell as a VAT-registered business or operate at volume, check whether you must register for VAT in specific jurisdictions or report sales differently.

VAT rates and rules can change, so confirm current rules with HMRC or a qualified tax advisor.

Practical pricing tips

  • Start with a price in the 70% range for ebooks if your market supports it.
  • Test prices: run short price promos and check sales and page-read metrics.
  • Consider using KDP Select for Kindle Unlimited page-read income if exclusivity is acceptable.
  • Account for VAT and delivery or printing costs when calculating net earnings.

KDP Select and Kindle Unlimited

KDP Select gives access to Kindle Unlimited and the Kindle Owners’ Lending Library in exchange for a 90-day Amazon exclusivity period for ebooks.

If you enroll, you earn from a global pool based on pages read. This can be attractive for non-fiction authors who plan aggressive promotions, but remember exclusivity restrictions and whether the KU audience fits your niche.

AI disclosure and content policy

Amazon asks authors to disclose AI-generated content when necessary. If you used AI tools to generate text, follow KDP’s content guidelines and include any required disclosures.

Human editing and quality checking remain essential—readers and marketplaces reward clear, useful writing.

Create, format and publish: manuscript, cover and EPUB

Producing a clean manuscript, a thumbnail-effective cover, and a validated EPUB are the smallest technical hurdles—and the biggest risk areas for publishing delays.

The right tools and processes reduce errors and speed publication.

Manuscript preparation

  • Use standard fonts and consistent formatting for headings, body text, and lists.
  • Include a clickable table of contents for ebooks. KDP’s conversion tools use this to create navigation.
  • Keep images optimised and sized for print and ebook specifications to reduce file-size and delivery fees.
  • Proofread close to the final layout; check common issues like orphaned headings, repeated headers, and image placement.

Covers that sell

A good cover is not just artwork—it’s a marketing asset that must read at thumbnail size and match genre expectations.

Most generic AI image tools create art, but they do not always produce covers designed for books. For a fast, professional option, try the BookAutoAI Cover Generator, which creates market-ready covers with readable title typography and export settings suitable for ebooks and print.

EPUB conversion and file prep

Converting a manuscript into a clean, standards-compliant EPUB is one of the most technical steps. Broken chapter navigation, mangled metadata, or an incorrect embedded cover can delay publication.

For speed and reliability, convert using a tool built for authors: the BookAutoAI EPUB Converter produces a properly structured EPUB in seconds and embeds the cover correctly.

If you’re preparing files for multiple stores, consider a reliable book upload tool to handle retailer file requirements and avoid common upload errors.

If you’re creating both ebook and paperback, remember to:

  • Export a print-ready PDF for the paperback with correct margins and spine settings.
  • Keep an EPUB for ebook stores and ensure the cover is embedded as the book cover, not just an image.

A practical publishing workflow

1. Draft and edit your manuscript; finalise the table of contents and any front/back matter.

2. Use BookAutoAI to generate or humanize text if you want speed and detector-friendly phrasing.

3. Create a market-ready cover using the BookAutoAI Cover Generator so thumbnail and print quality are handled.

4. Convert your formatted file to EPUB with the BookAutoAI EPUB Converter to avoid common errors on upload.

5. Log in to KDP, enter metadata, upload files, choose territories and price, and preview carefully.

6. Launch and monitor performance; adjust price, keywords and categories based on early data.

Automating elements of this process saves hours and helps avoid errors that cause delays in publishing. For non-fiction authors who publish at scale, BookAutoAI provides a single place to generate the manuscript, cover and EPUB that are ready to upload.

For authors looking for a simple branded option, Bookautoai can centralise generation and file prep in one place.

Marketing basics after publish

  • Optimize your book description and include clear benefits or outcomes for readers.
  • Use targeted keywords and the right categories to improve discoverability.
  • Consider Amazon Ads and price promotions; they work differently in the UK market than in the US.
  • Encourage early reviews via an email list or a launch team; reviews influence ranking and conversions.

Final thoughts

Publishing on Amazon KDP UK is straightforward if you plan carefully: set up accurate bank and tax details, pick a pricing strategy that targets the 70% royalty when appropriate, and use production tools that remove technical friction.

For non-fiction authors who want speed with quality, BookAutoAI is the #1 choice for generating complete, humanized books that are formatted and ready to publish—cover, EPUB and all.

Visit Bookautoai.com and try our Demo book.

FAQ

Do I need to register for VAT to sell books on Amazon KDP UK?

Most individual authors don’t need a VAT registration just to sell through KDP because Amazon often handles VAT collection for customer purchases. If you sell at scale or operate a publishing business, consult an accountant or HMRC guidance.

What price range gets the 70% royalty for Kindle in the UK?

On Amazon.co.uk, ebooks priced between £1.99 and £9.99 generally qualify for the 70% royalty, minus a delivery fee based on file size. Prices outside that range default to 35%.

Can I use AI to write my book and publish on KDP?

KDP allows AI-assisted content, but you must follow KDP’s content policy and disclose AI-generated content when required. Human editing and quality checks are essential.

Should I use KDP Select?

KDP Select grants access to Kindle Unlimited and page-read earnings in exchange for 90-day exclusivity. It can boost page reads for some genres, but it prevents ebook distribution elsewhere during each enrollment period.

Does Amazon take care of VAT reporting?

Amazon typically acts as the marketplace facilitator and calculates and collects VAT on customer purchases in many jurisdictions. Verify how this applies to your situation, especially if you are VAT-registered or sell in large volumes.

How can I avoid common upload errors?

Use validated EPUBs, correct cover dimensions, embedded front covers, and proper metadata. Preview your files in the KDP previewer and fix errors before publishing. Tools like the BookAutoAI EPUB Converter and cover generator reduce common formatting issues.

Sources

Amazon KDP UK: A practical UK guide to marketplace setup, pricing and VAT Estimated reading time: 6 minutes Amazon KDP UK is free to join but requires accurate bank and tax details, and authors must understand royalties, KDP Select, and VAT implications. Price your ebook to fit the 70% royalty band when possible, account for…