Errr. There's nothing there about any "time limit" (6 month, 12 month or otherwise)Originally Posted by gbn13
There's nothing about returning to the UK with tax free goods. When you return with goods that have not had vat paid, you pay the vat. Or at least you should. Especially on pateks. Lol
In any case, my point is more to do with people living in the UK, who by some means or other (there are many means), "export" the watch for consumption outside the EU or do other accounting manoeuvres . In actual fact, the watch ends up back in the UK (in some cases it doesn't leave). So now we have a UK watch where vat has been reclaimed but is being consumed in the UK.
The limit is for the person/goods not reentering the country within 12 months. You are deemed to be permanently exporting the item- if that is not that case then...
You would still be potentially liable for VAT if you brought any VAT qualifying item into the UK though.
That’s down to the person/company committing the offence.
Darren Reay of Wights Watches springs to mind of someone currently spending time at Her Majesty’s pleasure for doing just that!
2.4.3 Entitled EC residents
For the purposes of this scheme only, a customer who is established in the EC but intends to permanently leave the EC for a minimum period of 12 months may also be treated as an overseas visitor. To qualify under this provision, the customer must:
- intend to leave the UK with the goods by the last day of the third month following that in which the goods were purchased for an immediate destination outside the EC
- remain outside the EC for a period of at least 12 months; the customer must prove their eligibility to use the scheme by providing evidence of their intention to remain outside the EC for at least 12 months, typically this evidence would be one of the following:
- overseas work permit
- approved visa application
- residency permit
- export the goods having produced them, their receipts, and the VAT refund document to a Customs officer at the point of departure from the EC
Thanks. I couldn't find it, but I've used it. When Customs tell me the rules I don't need the chapter/verse to check myself- thats what they are there for.
Agreed. I've claimed VAT back on all of my watches except the SD43 as I wasn't prepared to break any rules and get done for it.
I think some people are just upset that they haven't had access to what in effect is huge legal discounts on expensive pieces...
Getting the VAT back is not the issue. If you are able to, great. Good for you. VAT is not intended for goods used outside the EU
The problem is the people using these schemes fraudulently. If you are claiming VAT back and using the goods outside the EU, that's great. If you are claiming VAT back and then selling the goods within the EU, you are clearly acting fraudulently
Needless to say, when I say "you", I'm not addressing any specific person.
Not true in all cases. This is the contention. I've bought UK watches, exported ex-EU, claimed UK VAT and then brought them back at the end of my assignment without a vat obligation.
Them's the rules!
Even if someone did do that.
I would assume it is not the new buyer who is liable for any avoided VAT.
This just shows that you can reclaim VAT if you are based abroad. That was never the issue. The issue is whether VAT is due when you bring something into the UK. Unless there is a notice to say otherwise, I'll just leave this here:
https://www.gov.uk/moving-to-uk
"You have tax and customs responsibilities when you move your personal belongings to the UK from abroad."
In any case, my concern is not the expat who reclaims VAT on a watch once a year. My concern are the people who systematically abuse the system and most definitely don't disclose that VAT has been reclaimed on their "UK" watch when they are selling it unworn shortly after buying it. And the people who reclaim VAT fraudulently but actually use their watch in the UK. i.e those who knowingly abuse the system for their financial gain.
No idea
But I imagine most people would want to avoid those watches. There'd only be a minority who'd say they're happy to buy a watch that has had VAT fraud carried out on it
I’m not exactly sure how you would know if a watch had or hadn’t to be honest so as I say I will proceed as normal when purchasing watches.
What was your check on the guy selling the PP if he had said that no he hadn’t reclaimed VAT.
Had you some further checks in mind?
This is the first thing I ask on all my second hand watch purchases.
.
.
.
.
Not 😂
It is completely irrelevant.
The fraudster is the one liable for the crime, not the innocent purchaser. The watch is not magically in some way tainted.
This^^^
The issue really is a storm in a teacup.
Unless you’re the one fraudulently reclaiming the VAT
I also believed it was completely irrelevant. Do any of the dealers have a view on this, is this something that could or would influence your decision making.
You'd be happy to buy a watch that has had vat fraud carried out on it, as long as it wasn't you who did the fraud?
In a nutshell, yes. Unless I was buying it from the person committing the fraud AND knew that they were committing the fraud.
The watch isn’t somehow “tainted” by the criminal activity of a previous owner!
Last edited by Dave+63; 11th January 2018 at 08:13.
Unless smuggled in a body cavity.
I think its fair to say most people don't really give a monkeys.
And what about repairs to watches bought from the grey market. Can they be repaired locally?
Or it was Gary Glitter’s watch
Unless it's stolen nobody really gives a sh1t - apart from the uber-anal!
It's that simple. UK watch sold in the UK raises no future issues. Doesn't matter if it's been on it's holidays...
Yes, me too.
Do you work for the VAT man by any chance
I was reading about this on TRF and some people did mention that there had been an update on Rolex that caused a lot of confusion , something about if it had been bought via a grey dealer it could void the warranty. Im after a two tone sub at the moment and did find out only a few days old brought over from italy , but it was only a few hundred less so in the end thought better to get direct from UK AD , wrongly or rightly .
Last time I checked Italy and UK are part of the EU - no issue.
Anyway - I only just joined in the discussion and haven't read the last n pages - but I am happy to buy a watch wherever it was bought - in or out of the UK - as long as it wasn't stolen goods or fake. All this is fake news!
To be honest I have been kicking myself slightly , but it wasn't that much cheaper compared to getting out an AD.
Welcome to the forum! It's a crazy place, but quite fun..
Martyn
Thanks , it all looks good so far !.
No. I'm a doctor now but previously worked as an accountant. I don't pay my membership fees any more so no longer chartered
Posting Permissions
Reply With Quote
