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Importing from the UK?

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  • 10-02-2005 3:28pm
    #1
    chillum
    Registered Users Posts: 13 ✭


    Hi,

    I've been lurking here for a fair bit, and I have a question.

    I've just bought a guitar from an online retailer in the UK. The VAT is listed on the website as 17.5%, the UK rate. Can I get hit for the difference in VAT if Customs notice it? Has anybody any experience of this? :confused:


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    #2
    feylya
    Moderators, Music Moderators Posts: 23,359 Mod ✭✭✭✭feylya


    There is no import taxes on anything bought in Europe.


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    #3
    david
    Registered Users Posts: 3,684 ✭✭✭david


    You pay the VAT rate of the country you are buying the product from. Not the country you live in


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    #4
    Jimmy_Jazz
    Closed Accounts Posts: 133 ✭✭Jimmy_Jazz


    Slightly off-topic I know, but what about importing from the US? I've had my eye on a Clapton Strat for a while now but they're far too expensive here.


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    #5
    feylya
    Moderators, Music Moderators Posts: 23,359 Mod ✭✭✭✭feylya


    The US is not in Europe so you pay vat and import tax (about 24.5% altogether).


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    #6
    disgruntled
    Closed Accounts Posts: 184 ✭✭disgruntled


    Jimmy_Jazz wrote:
    Slightly off-topic I know, but what about importing from the US? I've had my eye on a Clapton Strat for a while now but they're far too expensive here.

    You might be interested in this, its pretty much the same spec as the Clapton model, less the blocked trem and the signature on the headstock but at a fraction of the price. I just got a similar one and I can assure you the quality really is top notch.


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    #7
    Doctor J
    Closed Accounts Posts: 11,848 ✭✭✭✭Doctor J


    Or this, $725 on www.chrisguitars.com

    fen-mij-clapton.jpg

    Chris is a top man and is on his way to supplying most of Boards with some form of instrumentation. Everything included (shipping, taxes, etc) this should cost you no more than €750


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    #8
    Highlander
    Registered Users Posts: 219 ✭✭Highlander


    Jimmy_Jazz wrote:
    Slightly off-topic I know, but what about importing from the US? I've had my eye on a Clapton Strat for a while now but they're far too expensive here.

    Customs Duty 3.2%
    Customs Vat 21%


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    #9
    chillum
    Registered Users Posts: 13 ✭chillum


    Cheers for the replies, lads.

    It was mentioned that (within the EU) you pay the VAT of the country you're buying from. How come Thomann.de adjust for Irish VAT?

    The crowd I'm buying from is Regent Guitars ( www.guitars.co.uk). Anybody heard of them/bought from them?

    Cheers again,

    Willy


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    #10
    D!ve^Bomb!
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,089 ✭✭✭D!ve^Bomb!


    Doctor J wrote:
    Or this, $725 on www.chrisguitars.com

    fen-mij-clapton.jpg

    Chris is a top man and is on his way to supplying most of Boards with some form of instrumentation. Everything included (shipping, taxes, etc) this should cost you no more than €750

    plus this guitar has been on chrisguitars for quite a while now so you could make him an offer less than the asking price and you may get it


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    #11
    Doctor J
    Closed Accounts Posts: 11,848 ✭✭✭✭Doctor J


    Nope, it only went up on Tuesday.


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    #12
    D!ve^Bomb!
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,089 ✭✭✭D!ve^Bomb!


    mmm, it must be a different one so.. i saw the same model a couple of months ago!

    off topic - Doc, ordered myself the 1029a's today, got myself a bargin which included free shipping! woo hoo! - on topic


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    #13
    Doctor J
    Closed Accounts Posts: 11,848 ✭✭✭✭Doctor J


    Yeah, saw the thread on gigsmart. Nice one, they've a very good reputation.


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    #14
    D!ve^Bomb!
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,089 ✭✭✭D!ve^Bomb!


    yeah they were recommended to me quite a while ago.. it's only by chance that i came across them last night


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    #15
    littlejay
    Closed Accounts Posts: 369 ✭✭littlejay


    i get a lot of bits from uk
    and to be honest if the item is a saving and over a value of say 300 pounds. just get a flight over and take it home 50 euro i got to manchester last month to get a kit of drums with me brother

    just a taught mate..
    brought them back between the 2 of us neahhh bother


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    #16
    voxpop
    Registered Users Posts: 2,800 ✭✭✭voxpop


    as far as i understand you are supposed to pay vat in the country where the goods are being used. So if you buy from the uk you are supposed to pay the irish vat.
    Not sure how strictly this is enforced though.


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    #17
    Eoin Madsen
    Registered Users Posts: 2,117 ✭✭✭Eoin Madsen


    You pay VAT in the country of IMPORT not export. So for all European purchases you should be paying VAT at 21%.

    The exception is for small companies whose turnover is quite low (below €200,000 I think) where they can charge VAT at the rate of the exporting country.


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    #18
    Eoin Madsen
    Registered Users Posts: 2,117 ✭✭✭Eoin Madsen


    freakonaleashx wrote:
    You pay the VAT rate of the country you are buying the product from. Not the country you live in

    Sorry, not meaning to be pricky, but to clarify for anyone confused: this statement is incorrect.


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