Buying wholesale: trade account, proof of business and VAT ID explained

Why wholesalers only sell to businesses

A wholesaler supplies resellers, not consumers. That is why B2B shops ask for proof that a business is behind the order. MDH works the same way: we sell exclusively to businesses such as kiosks, convenience stores, petrol station shops, vending machine operators, toy and gift shops, and online sellers.

For you this has real advantages. You buy on trade terms, receive an invoice with VAT shown, and order in packing units that suit your shelves.

Do I need a registered business? Is a small business enough?

Yes, you cannot register without one. At MDH you upload either a business registration (in Germany: Gewerbeanmeldung) or a commercial register extract. A business registration is enough. You do not need to be listed in the commercial register.

Small businesses and sole traders also have a business registration and can sign up with it. For the trade account, what counts is the proof, not the size of your business.

Only just registered your business? We do not ask for an order history or a minimum turnover. As soon as you have your registration document, you can apply for a trade account. That helps founders who want to plan their range before opening.

No shop front needed: online sellers and vending operators

You do not need a physical shop with a window display. If you sell only online, run snack machines or trade at markets, you can open a trade account as long as your business is registered.

Online sellers can enter their shop URL or social media profile in the field “Website or social media”. It is optional, but it helps us place your business faster during the check. As your company address, enter the address shown on your proof of business.

What is a VAT ID, and is it required?

A VAT identification number (VAT ID) is a separate number for businesses, used mainly for trade between EU countries. It is not the same as the tax number your local tax office gives you.

For retailers based in Germany, the VAT ID is optional at MDH. The form labels the field “USt-ID (freiwillig)”, meaning optional. You can register without one; your business registration is sufficient.

Retailers from other EU countries register with a valid VAT ID. The number is checked automatically via VIES, the EU's validation system. The form shows right away whether the number was confirmed. If the system is down, we check it manually. We deliver to other EU countries too and agree the shipping details with you.

Please discuss questions about your own tax situation with your tax adviser. This guide only describes what MDH asks for during registration.

Step by step: registering with MDH

Registration takes about 3 minutes. Have your proof of business ready as a PDF or photo. Here is how it works:

1. Company: choose your country, add your VAT ID if you have one, then enter company name, legal form and the authorised representative, meaning the owner or managing director as shown on your proof of business.

2. Address: street and number, postcode and town of your business.

3. Contact and login: first and last name, email address and phone number. Your email address becomes your login, and we send a confirmation link to it. You also choose a password with at least 8 characters.

4. Optional details: your website or social media profile, a referral code if another retailer referred you, and how you heard about MDH.

5. Upload proof of business: business registration or commercial register extract as PDF, JPG or PNG, up to 10 MB.

6. Confirm and submit: confirm that you are registering as a business customer and accept the terms and privacy policy. Signing up for news and offers by email is up to you.

How long does approval take?

Once submitted, we check your details and documents. This usually takes 1–2 working days. After that, you log in with your email address and the password you chose.

To speed things up, do a quick check before submitting: do the company name and representative match your document? Is the document complete and easy to read? And remember to click the link in the email you receive after registering.

Why can't I see prices before registering?

Guests in the MDH shop do not see prices. Wholesale prices and volume tiers appear only after approval. This is standard in B2B trade: the terms are for resellers only, so the shop shows them only to verified business customers.

You can still browse the range, packing units and product details beforehand, for example on our pages for kiosk wholesale or TikTok products wholesale. That way you know before registering whether the range suits your shop.

After approval: your first order

From now on, ordering works like any online shop. There is no minimum order value, and goods come in full cases. Delivery across Germany usually takes 24–48 hours by DHL parcel for €9.99, large quantities by freight; for other EU countries, shipping method and cost are agreed with you. Collection from our Mettmann warehouse is free.

Payment methods are shown at checkout, for example bank transfer or online payment. You receive an invoice with VAT shown by email. If a customer referred you, the referral code gives you €25 off your first order of €200 net or more.

More answers are in our FAQ. If anything is unclear, contact us at info@mdh-distribution.com or on WhatsApp at +49 1556 3188241.