Trade account required to order from the UK?

runswithascript

I want to order something from a UK website but they are requesting a 'trade account'. I created one, which just asked for email, password, name of business *(there is none!) and address, and I am now able to order using my 'trade account'.

When I am about to pay I notice that the price has decreased by 18.7% from the listed price, which no explanation, and there is no mention of any tax or extra charges.

Does this mean I am going to be asked to pay some kind of import or other tax when the item is delivered to me here in the Republic of Ireland?

Edit: Just discovered although it let me enter an Irish address when creating the account it will only accept a UK billing address so I could try to use Parcelmotel with Paypal.

L1011

That price difference is the same as taking off our old 23% VAT rate* which suggests it is a price for a VAT registered company buying cross border; from someone who never updated the Irish VAT rate.

*123% of 81.3 = 100

You may be using a supplier that does minimal if any consumer sales and is not set up properly to handle them; although if they were ever selling with Irish VAT rates they most likely do sell a decent amount to Ireland.

runswithascript

I have just set my payment and delivery addresses to Parcel Motel.

Do you think if I order, Parcelmotel will be asked to pay something before the parcel is handed over?

runswithascript

It seems very strange, I setup my trade account with an Irish address, it would only allow a UK address for billing, and it was showing the price @ £88 without mention of VAT or any tax.

In my account I changed both addresses to the UK (and it will now not let me change delivery back to Ireland) and VAT is showing, and the price is £113.99 including 19% VAT.

I am curious as to what would happen if I managed to place the order to Ireland for the £88, if I would be expected to pay something extra on delivery or how does that work?

Edit: It would not allow me select Ireland in the end, so I just ordered it to Parcelmotel.

L1011

If its the UK parcelmotel address it should be considered a domestic UK transaction and charged VAT regardless.