(1) In this section -

'chain transaction' means a series of successive supplies of the same goods where those goods are dispatched or transported from one Member State to another Member State, directly from the first supplier of the goods to the last customer in the chain;

'intermediary operator' means a supplier in a chain transaction, other than the first supplier, who dispatches or transports the goods or engages a third party to dispatch or transport the goods on his or her behalf.

(2) Subject to subsection (3), in a chain transaction, the dispatch or transport of the goods shall be ascribed only to the supply made to the intermediary operator.

(3) Where the intermediary operator provides to his or her supplier a value-added tax identification number, issued to that intermediary operator by the Member State from which the goods are dispatched or transported, the dispatch or transport of the goods shall be ascribed only to the supply made by that intermediary operator.