- What a UK bank account receives
- Cheques are closed to new UK accounts
- Timing: when British authors see the money
- The US tax questionnaire and the zero treaty rate
- VAT on UK book sales and what it does to your royalty
- Choosing pounds or euros for your royalties
- Scams that use the Amazon name
- So, does KDP work well for the UK?
- Frequently asked questions
Yes, UK authors can publish and be paid through Amazon KDP. According to KDP's payment options page, UK bank accounts get direct deposit in pounds or euros, and cheques are closed to new UK accounts. The IRS treaty table lists the UK at zero for royalties, but you still have to complete KDP's tax questionnaire correctly to benefit.
Amazon KDP UK sounds simple, and mostly it's, because KDP is built to pay British bank accounts without drama. Still, there are a few UK-specific details that catch people out, from the end of cheques to the tax form that decides how much Amazon holds back. I've gone through KDP's own help pages and the IRS treaty table. I'm not an accountant, so check your own situation with one.
What a UK bank account receives
KDP's payment options page lists the United Kingdom as a bank location with direct deposit, the electronic bank-to-bank method KDP calls its recommended option. The currency shown for every Amazon store is GBP/EUR, so you can be paid in pounds or euros depending on what you set up. Wire transfer and cheque both show as not applicable for UK banks.
KDP explains that direct deposit usually has no minimum payment threshold, which means you're paid in full whatever the amount. That's the opposite of cheque and wire payments, where a minimum applies. For the UK store, KDP's thresholds page puts the wire and cheque minimum for Amazon.co.uk at 100 pounds, but UK authors shouldn't need either.
Cheques are closed to new UK accounts
Some older guides still talk about getting a paper cheque. KDP's page says it no longer offers cheque payments in the United Kingdom for new accounts, and that this has been the position since 2017. If you set up your account recently, plan on direct deposit from the start.
KDP also says that Amazon Payments and PayPal aren't available as payment options, so a British author can't ask to be paid into a PayPal balance. It has to be a bank account.
Timing: when British authors see the money
The "When will I get paid?" page says royalties are paid every month, about 60 days after the end of the month in which the sale was reported. Direct deposit then shows in your account within 1-5 business days of the payment date. If you've sold something in March, expect the money at the end of May, plus those few banking days.
| What I checked | What KDP says for the UK |
|---|---|
| Payment method | Direct deposit in GBP/EUR |
| Cheque | Not offered to new UK accounts since 2017 |
| Wire | Not applicable for UK bank locations |
| Minimum to be paid | None for direct deposit |
| Bank delay | 1-5 business days after the payment date |
| PayPal | Not available as a payment option |
| Treaty rate in IRS table | 0 for copyright royalties |
The US tax questionnaire and the zero treaty rate
This is where UK authors can keep more of their money. KDP's tax withholding page says royalty payments for eBook sales on Amazon.com and print book sales on Amazon.com, Amazon.co.jp, Amazon.com.au and Amazon.ca are subject to 30% US tax withholding for non-US persons. It adds that you may qualify for a reduced rate if your country has an income tax treaty with the United States.
The IRS treaty table lists the United Kingdom at 0 in the Copyrights column under Royalties, citing Article 12. To claim a treaty rate, KDP's tax page says you have to provide a tax identification number. If you have a US number, you must enter it. If not, you may enter the income tax number your own tax authority issued. Which UK number applies to you is a question for your accountant or HMRC, not for me.
KDP also says your W-8 expires on the last day of the third calendar year after you sign it, and a reduced rate falls back to 30% if you let it expire. Set a reminder so your rate doesn't quietly change.
VAT on UK book sales and what it does to your royalty
Customers on Amazon.co.uk pay VAT on books, and KDP's page says the rate can differ by the type of book. It lists the UK reduced rate for books at 0%, and the standard rate, which can apply to things like notebooks, planners and colouring books, at 20%. Importantly, KDP states that your royalties aren't affected by those variations, because it uses the list price excluding VAT that you provide.
So you don't need to do VAT sums to price your paperback. Just remember that the price a UK reader sees at checkout may be higher than the figure you entered.
Choosing pounds or euros for your royalties
Because KDP lists GBP/EUR for UK banks, think about which currency suits your own bank account. KDP also says that when royalties are paid in a currency different from the sale currency, Amazon converts them at an exchange rate it sets, and that rate includes all conversion fees. Where direct deposit is available in the sale currency, you receive royalties in that currency with no conversion.
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If you also earn abroad and juggle currencies, my guide to how KDP payments work for authors in India shows how different the experience can be elsewhere, which is a useful comparison for UK authors who sell to international readers.
Scams that use the Amazon name
Because KDP is well known, scammers use it. Real KDP help never asks you to pay to receive royalties. Only log in through the official KDP site, check the Payments Report there, and treat texts or emails that push you to "verify" a bank account on a different link with suspicion.
If you're exploring other Amazon income as well, my overview of how people sell on Amazon explains the wider options.
So, does KDP work well for the UK?
Yes. A UK bank account is fully supported, with direct deposit in pounds or euros, no minimum payment and no need for cheques. The work that matters is the tax interview: complete it accurately, keep your tax number to hand and renew the form before it expires.
Frequently asked questions
Does Amazon KDP pay UK bank accounts?
According to KDP's payment options page, yes. UK banks get direct deposit in GBP/EUR for every Amazon store. Wire transfer and cheque are listed as not applicable.
Can I get a cheque from KDP in the UK?
KDP says it no longer offers cheque payments in the United Kingdom for new accounts, since 2017. New UK authors need direct deposit.
How long does KDP take to pay UK authors?
Royalties are paid about 60 days after the end of the month of the sale. Direct deposit then shows in your bank within 1-5 business days of the payment date.
What is the UK treaty rate for KDP royalties?
The IRS treaty table lists the United Kingdom at 0 in the Copyrights royalties column under Article 12. You must complete KDP's tax questionnaire and provide a tax identification number to claim it.
Does VAT reduce my KDP royalty on Amazon.co.uk?
KDP says your royalties aren't affected by VAT rate variations, because it uses the list price excluding VAT that you provide.
Can I use PayPal to receive KDP royalties?
No. KDP says Amazon Payments and PayPal aren't available payment options.
