Importing from the UK?

chillum · 10-02-2005 3:28pm #1

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?

feylya · 10-02-2005 3:45pm

There is no import taxes on anything bought in Europe.

david · 10-02-2005 5:21pm

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

Jimmy_Jazz · 10-02-2005 5:29pm

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.

feylya · 10-02-2005 5:31pm

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

disgruntled · 10-02-2005 7:27pm

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.

Doctor J · 11-02-2005 10:22am

Or this, $725 on www.chrisguitars.com

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

Highlander · 11-02-2005 10:26am

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%

chillum · 11-02-2005 1:08pm

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

D!ve^Bomb! · 11-02-2005 2:04pm

Doctor J wrote:

Or this, $725 on www.chrisguitars.com

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

Doctor J · 11-02-2005 2:05pm

Nope, it only went up on Tuesday.

D!ve^Bomb! · 11-02-2005 2:15pm

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

Doctor J · 11-02-2005 2:16pm

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

D!ve^Bomb! · 11-02-2005 2:20pm

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

littlejay · 11-02-2005 2:21pm

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

voxpop · 11-02-2005 8:47pm

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.

Eoin Madsen · 12-02-2005 12:16pm

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.

Eoin Madsen · 12-02-2005 12:18pm

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.

Importing from the UK?

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