Amazon and VAT

TheDriver

Having trouble with Amazon and kids shoes. I order kids shoes and its 0% VAT in UK and IRL. So the price on screen is the price I pay. Suddenly, the price now gets hiked up by 23%. I have tried it on same shoes I got in Jan, same size etc and also different kids shoes and they are all being charged 23% VAT whereas UK delivery is still 0%. CS just keeps sending me automated replies or copy and paste about VAT with links to their help page that says I am right.
What they're doing is actually illegal I assume? You can't charge VAT when its not applicable?

Kristopherus

Did you tell Amazon what you have posted above?

TheDriver

Kristopherus wrote: »

Did you tell Amazon what you have posted above?

I have had to put it in BOLD and tell them to get a manager to read it. I did get one agent who seemed to understand but then next person just went off in a tangent. Nice agent asked me to put in an order so they could see and next agent then wanted to give me a VAT refund as a once off exception. They honestly didn't seem to understand. I even put it in point form.

Xzen

Send them an email, ask them for a "VAT Refund" (key words) for children's apparel in accordance with conditions at https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=502578

They'll tell you the request will be sent to their VAT team who'll contact you a few days later with your refund. Easy. I've done the same a few times a year

zell12

I had the same issue with powdered milk (charged 23%, rated 0%)
Got a refund of the vat after I sent in a written complaint.

Amouar

What email address did you use to send the complaint?

zell12

Amouar wrote: »

What email address did you use to send the complaint?

Help-> Contact Us-> Email

Amouar

I just claimed around 30£ in VAT from my previous orders where I was charged VAT for kids clothes.

bluetractor

TheDriver wrote: »

What they're doing is actually illegal I assume?

It would only be illegal if they were charging you and then not passing it on. Children's shoes made for children (as opposed to small adult sizes that children can wear) are zero rated for VAT.
It is an error and unfortunately some call center person will just not understand the vagaries of vat rates. It should be easy to correct as both UK and Irish rules are near identical in terms of sizes and that the item must be designed for children, but it would require someone to understand the issue in order for it to be corrected and for that person to want to correct the issue

Amouar

It seems like they are doing it on purpose for all order sent outside the UK

"Note: in order to qualify for a VAT rate of 0%, the delivery address must be within the UK."

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=201994400