Items from abroad rant

[AlanG]

I may have a work around for the item. I'm waiting for someone to get back to me. Still miffed about it but it's here to stay so i'll have to learn to live with it. Thanks for the input guys

[JR]

Why are US and China affected?
Pete

We have always unfortunately had to pay import taxes from the US Pete . I nearly had to pay customs for a set of US made PE cutters , but luckily I contacted Amazon and said there was no mention of it being from the US a good 5 years ago . The seller agreed to pay the duties upon sight of the invoice from out lovely Post Office.
I've bought stuff since but paid the duty at the point of sale, a lot better and cheaper .
Now buying from the EU is just not worth it. Allan Dewire would get stuff for me and sent it over , I've dealt with several German shops , but no more sadly.

[stillp]

We have always unfortunately had to pay import taxes from the US Pete .

Of course John, but my comment was about the apparent increase in the cost of imports into Denmark.
Pete

[Peter Gillson]

Of course John, but my comment was about the apparent increase in the cost of imports into Denmark.
Pete

Due to Brexit. So the legal changes really only affect trade with the EU, goods from the EU are now subject to UK VAT. the legal relationship with non-EU countried have not changed, there always has been the leegal requirment to pay import duties from these countries and that has not changed. What may have changes is the 'enthusiasm' of HM Revenue Services to collect the taxes.

the other change was on market place websites such as Ebay, they now have a legal requirement to collect the VAt on goods sold into the UK from outside the UK. This means that if any ody outside the UK sells something to a person inthe UK, Ebay will add 20% to the price of the item and the postage costs.

Peter

[rickoshea52]

This is a result of an EU directive on VAT collection for imports to the EU. I believe to close a loop hole that was being exploited to evade VAT.
The directive was adopted by all EU states, including the UK as a member at the time of adoption. It allows for the collection of VAT on imports to the EU.
The directive was due to begin on 1st January 2021 however this was deferred until 1st July 2021 by the EU. The UK opted to retain the January implementation date.
Since then any company selling into the UK (or EU I believe) is obliged to collect the VAT due and send it to HMRC or whichever tax agency of the EU. Naturally, small businesses just don’t have the resources to deal with this red tape burden so it’s easier for them not to bother, and who can blame them.
On line market places however, and larger businesses have been able to absorb this into their business structure.
The bottom line to all this is ensuring a potential VAT loophole is closed and taxes, where due, are paid to the correct agency.

[BarryW]

This is a result of an EU directive on VAT collection for imports to the EU. I believe to close a loop hole that was being exploited to evade VAT.
The directive was adopted by all EU states, including the UK as a member at the time of adoption. It allows for the collection of VAT on imports to the EU.
The directive was due to begin on 1st January 2021 however this was deferred until 1st July 2021 by the EU. The UK opted to retain the January implementation date.
Since then any company selling into the UK (or EU I believe) is obliged to collect the VAT due and send it to HMRC or whichever tax agency of the EU. Naturally, small businesses just don’t have the resources to deal with this red tape burden so it’s easier for them not to bother, and who can blame them.
On line market places however, and larger businesses have been able to absorb this into their business structure.
The bottom line to all this is ensuring a potential VAT loophole is closed and taxes, where due, are paid to the correct agency.

An excellent explanation.

[AlanG]

Bought and paid for now. The owner of the company gave me a way to purchase it. Just got to see if it'll arrive without 'issue'

[Ian M]

I got my pack from Sweden today. If any are tempted to shop in Sweden be warned the postage is high! Still think The Nederlands is still the highest post I have seen. (maybe the person setting the price was high as well. lol. )

[Dave Ward]

Even AliExpress, the Chinese marketplace, include VAT on their invoices - how the HMRC is paid, I've no idea, but I've paid it - the invoice says so!
Dave

[adt70hk]

Bought and paid for now. The owner of the company gave me a way to purchase it. Just got to see if it'll arrive without 'issue' :smiling3:

Great news!!

[Guest]

This is a result of an EU directive on VAT collection for imports to the EU. I believe to close a loop hole that was being exploited to evade VAT.

IIRC, it’s because VAT was not normally charged below a certain amount (€22 or so in the Netherlands, off the top of my head, probably a similar amount in the UK) but places like AliExpress sell literally* container-shiploads of stuff for way below that from outside the EU.

* And I do really mean literally.

[JR]

Of course John, but my comment was about the apparent increase in the cost of imports into Denmark.
Pete

Sorry Pete, mustn't have read that part !

[eddiesolo]

I had a similar experience from a German company, wanted some spare part sprues for my 1/16 Challenger.

Added to cart and went to buy and then had a email from them informing me that I had buy £120 worth of gear to get free shipping to UK, well the order came to £20 so expected to pay £15 ish for postage...they wouldn't do it so refunded me and I got the blah about taxation.