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Thread: Sales Corner post Brexit

  1. #1
    Master Dan83bz's Avatar
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    Sales Corner post Brexit

    I’ve happily spent many a hours browsing the Sales Corner here, most often simply window shopping and using it as a sort of way of discovering many great watches I never knew about, which has been good but equally frustrating since I’m far from independently wealthy to buy at a whim.

    I think its fair to say this watch nutters community is like no other, in terms of the camaraderie, the friendly banter and of course the unique SC where you can find anything from the plethora or Rolexes and other finely priced wrist appendices to socks, ladies knickers and everything in between. It was like some daily meditation session for me to wake up, have a cup of tea or coffee and browse my mails alongside taking a peek at what’s new on TZ’s SC. I knew most days I wasn’t even looking to buy anything, last few years especially I’ve set myself very clear limits compared to the fervent flipping I had been doing the previous decade or so, but there was always that faint thought I might just discover a new grail popping up.The pleasure was indeed in the journey rather than the destination.

    With what our wise leaders now have in store, although no doubt I will still pop-in to have a curios look, I know I won’t be buying anything of significant value due to complications, same as I stopped buying watches from across the pond quite long ago. Its probably a good thing in the end as it will help with further curtailing the spending but I will surely miss it 😒

    Happy Holidays and I hope you have something ticking under your tree this year🎄🎁⌚️😊

  2. #2
    I would give it a few months I am sure everything will settle down with regards to buying from abroad. It’s not in anybody’s interests to do otherwise.

  3. #3
    Craftsman Exiztence's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by robert75 View Post
    I would give it a few months I am sure everything will settle down with regards to buying from abroad. It’s not in anybody’s interests to do otherwise.
    For shops I imagine it will be possible, not pay VAT in country of origin and pay VAT in your country, but doubt most private sellers will give you 17.5% off since u will have to pay 20% VAT on arrival (or whatever VAT %).

  4. #4
    Master Dan83bz's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by robert75 View Post
    I would give it a few months I am sure everything will settle down with regards to buying from abroad. It’s not in anybody’s interests to do otherwise.
    Oh yes, I know that but you're talking mainly for businesses and the like. For the personal purchases once they start charging VAT and what have you, don't believe there's a way to go back, same as is the situation currently with countries like Norway, Switzerland. Even with an optimistic outcome to the Brexit, it would still imply everything coming in from the UK would have to go thru import procedures and VAT...I guess there will be VAT refund for traditional shopping, but in the context of SC here, I doubt anybody would bother with all that even if it was possible.

    But as I wrote above anything has a silver lining, which for me will be some freed up time and cash

  5. #5
    Master PhilipK's Avatar
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    Look on the bright side - while you're living in the EU, there are still 26 countries in which you can buy and sell without any import processes or VAT, etc. Those of us living in the UK are not so fortunate.

  6. #6
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    Quote Originally Posted by PhilipK View Post
    Look on the bright side - while you're living in the EU, there are still 26 countries in which you can buy and sell without any import processes or VAT, etc. Those of us living in the UK are not so fortunate.

    Very sad, but it might be a shocker, but Brexit wasn't about avoiding paying VAT on importation of watches. Especially when the VAT was already paid at the time of the original purchase.

    Whoever does not know how to hit the nail on the head should be asked not to hit it at all.
    Friedrich Nietzsche


  7. #7
    it is sad that i will not be able to buy anything from UK in private sale, because of the VAT and vice versa.

  8. #8
    Master Dan83bz's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Andyg View Post
    Very sad, but it might be a shocker, but Brexit wasn't about avoiding paying VAT on importation of watches. Especially when the VAT was already paid at the time of the original purchase.
    Oh yes, absolutely this is a minor side-effect that nobody should care about that much. And yes, when it comes to VAT it is still quite a mess, because as you said, VAT is always paid in the original country yet there's no framework to claim it back (meaning if you buy a car in the UK and then export it out technically at least you can arrange to discount the VAT upon exportation, whereas for watches and other luxury goods that often can cost much more than a used car, there is no such arrangement in place

    Quote Originally Posted by Normunds View Post
    it is sad that i will not be able to buy anything from UK in private sale, because of the VAT and vice versa.
    Absolutely, for me also it was not about watches only, from the time I used to live close to a decade in Cyprus where any kind of knick-knack, electronics etc. were priced at twice or more, we've been very big on shopping from Amazon UK or many other UK shops, due to familiarity as well as prices in general are quite a bit cheaper than the rest of Europe. Have switched to Amazon DE for some years since moving to Prague, but still had few instances where when I had bought an expensive laptop or phones it was still from the UK, both because of better prices but also due to proper keyboard etc. Now that will be out of the question too, as the slightly cheaper price in the UK will be largely offset by VAT implications. Quite certain that British online shops will take quite a big hit when the non-UK business slowly dries up...although big firms like Amazon and the like have their ways, I am talking more the small "mom&pop" eBay shops etc. where myself and especially my missus used to buy very often.

    I guess only time will tell and we won't be seeing the effects straigh away but overall I have a gut feeling its a loss-loss situation for both sides, in economical terms, at least in the first few years. Perhaps longer term UK will be better off with the ability to set its own path to prosperity, no doubt that is a possibility.

    Quote Originally Posted by Exiztence View Post
    For shops I imagine it will be possible, not pay VAT in country of origin and pay VAT in your country, but doubt most private sellers will give you 17.5% off since u will have to pay 20% VAT on arrival (or whatever VAT %).
    Hello fellow Praguer, I've only noticed the location now ��:flag-cz:��
    Last edited by Dan83bz; 24th December 2020 at 17:51.

  9. #9
    Grand Master oldoakknives's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Normunds View Post
    it is sad that i will not be able to buy anything from UK in private sale, because of the VAT and vice versa.
    I feel sorry for you if you only buy from EU countries. I buy from all over the world, sometimes have to pay import duty etc but hey thats life.
    Started out with nothing. Still have most of it left.

  10. #10
    I find myself, as a NI resident, in a strange 'best of both worlds' part of the UK/Ireland.

    Still in the EU trade zone yet still in the UK.

    It'll be interesting to see how it all pans out.

  11. #11
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    Quote Originally Posted by oldoakknives View Post
    I feel sorry for you if you only buy from EU countries. I buy from all over the world, sometimes have to pay import duty etc but hey thats life.
    You probably do not often buy from individuals or small companies from all over the world, I think that is what he meant.
    'Against stupidity, the gods themselves struggle in vain' - Schiller.

  12. #12
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    Quote Originally Posted by JohnnyE View Post
    I find myself, as a NI resident, in a strange 'best of both worlds' part of the UK/Ireland.

    Still in the EU trade zone yet still in the UK.

    It'll be interesting to see how it all pans out.
    Indeed, never thought about that but yes you are. It should open a whole new world for "contraband" stuff, aka "smuggling in" stuff from the EU to the UK

  13. #13
    Grand Master oldoakknives's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Saint-Just View Post
    You probably do not often buy from individuals or small companies from all over the world, I think that is what he meant.
    I actually do buy from many small companies, and individuals. And individuals from all over the world have bought from me.
    Started out with nothing. Still have most of it left.

  14. #14
    Grand Master Saint-Just's Avatar
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    Point taken :)
    'Against stupidity, the gods themselves struggle in vain' - Schiller.

  15. #15
    I’ve not read all the details but will there now be import charges when we buy from the EU?

  16. #16
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    Quote Originally Posted by oldoakknives View Post
    I feel sorry for you if you only buy from EU countries. I buy from all over the world, sometimes have to pay import duty etc but hey thats life.
    I’m sure you do, but if you had a choice of buying the same product from the EU import duty free or from outside with extra charges, I’m sure you would buy the EU route.
    Cheers..
    Jase

  17. #17
    Grand Master oldoakknives's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by JasonM View Post
    I’m sure you do, but if you had a choice of buying the same product from the EU import duty free or from outside with extra charges, I’m sure you would buy the EU route.
    Of course you would always take the better price if there was one. The OP was referring to not buying at all because of extra charges, not buying elsewhere. My point was that if I want something and have to pay duty so be it, I wouldn't go without because of it.
    Started out with nothing. Still have most of it left.

  18. #18
    Grand Master oldoakknives's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Saint-Just View Post
    Point taken :)


    Started out with nothing. Still have most of it left.

  19. #19
    Quote Originally Posted by Normunds View Post
    it is sad that i will not be able to buy anything from UK in private sale, because of the VAT and vice versa.
    Are you/we dead sure yet? My understanding is that VAT is applied to business transactions, not a private individual selling a possession to another private individual.

    EU is, and U.K. will still be a VAT compliant regime, so I’ll wait further confirmation unless someone is a tax expert and knows the definitive answer.

    Why do we get hit with import VAT on purchases from private individuals from the USA? Maybe because the USA is not a VAT compliant regime? Maybe because the post declarations do not declare that it is a private transaction and it is therefore assumed to be B2C or B2B?

    Who knows? I don’t.


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  20. #20
    Quote Originally Posted by BillyCasper View Post
    Are you/we dead sure yet? My understanding is that VAT is applied to business transactions, not a private individual selling a possession to another private individual.

    EU is, and U.K. will still be a VAT compliant regime, so I’ll wait further confirmation unless someone is a tax expert and knows the definitive answer.

    Why do we get hit with import VAT on purchases from private individuals from the USA? Maybe because the USA is not a VAT compliant regime? Maybe because the post declarations do not declare that it is a private transaction and it is therefore assumed to be B2C or B2B?

    Who knows? I don’t.


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    What's important on goods from the US is their value and VAT is paid on this, nature of the transaction doesn't really matter - could be retail, private or gift (although small allowance for these).

  21. #21
    Quote Originally Posted by Kingstepper View Post
    What's important on goods from the US is their value and VAT is paid on this, nature of the transaction doesn't really matter - could be retail, private or gift (although small allowance for these).
    Yes, some cloudy beer thinking going on in my head.


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  22. #22
    Master Dan83bz's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by BillyCasper View Post
    Are you/we dead sure yet? My understanding is that VAT is applied to business transactions, not a private individual selling a possession to another private individual.

    EU is, and U.K. will still be a VAT compliant regime, so I’ll wait further confirmation unless someone is a tax expert and knows the definitive answer.

    Why do we get hit with import VAT on purchases from private individuals from the USA? Maybe because the USA is not a VAT compliant regime? Maybe because the post declarations do not declare that it is a private transaction and it is therefore assumed to be B2C or B2B?

    Who knows? I don’t.


    Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
    Never worked like that. EU was/is seen as a single country in terms of buying something, so besides paying for the shipping, there was nothing else to pay.

    As I said above, at best UK will be in the position that Norway or Switzerland are now versus the EU, meaning that you cannot buy stuff from Norway or Switzerland even if for personal use and not pay VAT on it, except some small personal allowance.

    For example I have few friends/former colleagues who now moved and work in Switzerland, couple of them in Geneva, and while its quite usual to cross over from Geneva to Germany for shopping (its very close to the border), you can only bring limited amounts of everything, not just alcohol but stuff like cheese, meats, whathaveyou, I believe the limit is 300 CHF and there's also specific limits like no more than 1kg of meat of any kind and the duties above those limits are VERY high effectively discouraging you to go and do your shopping across the border as it works better to just buy in Switzerland directly. It also has the positive effect that local producers can command much higher prices than they could have otherwise, which I guess is vital if they are to survive with the extreme cost of living in Switzerland.

    Seems the bobble-heads finally announced some conclusion to this whole Brexit conundrum.

  23. #23
    Quote Originally Posted by Dan83bz View Post
    Never worked like that. EU was/is seen as a single country in terms of buying something, so besides paying for the shipping, there was nothing else to pay.

    As I said above, at best UK will be in the position that Norway or Switzerland are now versus the EU, meaning that you cannot buy stuff from Norway or Switzerland even if for personal use and not pay VAT on it, except some small personal allowance.

    For example I have few friends/former colleagues who now moved and work in Switzerland, couple of them in Geneva, and while its quite usual to cross over from Geneva to Germany for shopping (its very close to the border), you can only bring limited amounts of everything, not just alcohol but stuff like cheese, meats, whathaveyou, I believe the limit is 300 CHF and there's also specific limits like no more than 1kg of meat of any kind and the duties above those limits are VERY high effectively discouraging you to go and do your shopping across the border as it works better to just buy in Switzerland directly. It also has the positive effect that local producers can command much higher prices than they could have otherwise, which I guess is vital if they are to survive with the extreme cost of living in Switzerland.

    Seems the bobble-heads finally announced some conclusion to this whole Brexit conundrum.
    Switzerland has a very different VAT regime, very low rates, and you have described B2C transactions, so not surprising border equalising takes place.


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  24. #24
    Master Dan83bz's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by BillyCasper View Post
    Switzerland has a very different VAT regime, very low rates, and you have described B2C transactions, so not surprising border equalising takes place.
    Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
    It would not matter whether its B2C or private sale, the same rules for importing things and limits on doing so would apply. To give an example, should you buy a product XYZ worth 1000 from a business or the same product from a private person, the cost to import it should be the same (whether its VAT only or some additional import tariff)

    Despite Switzerland's low VAT rates (8% is max I believe), with the exception of electronics which are very marginally cheaper, everything else is greatly more expensive, on a massive scale, and the main reason behind it is that the country lives in its own little bubble it has created itself as a retirement/shelter place for the mega rich as well as a host of other reasons.

  25. #25
    Grand Master oldoakknives's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Dan83bz View Post
    Never worked like that. EU was/is seen as a single country in terms of buying something, so besides paying for the shipping, there was nothing else to pay.

    As I said above, at best UK will be in the position that Norway or Switzerland are now versus the EU, meaning that you cannot buy stuff from Norway or Switzerland even if for personal use and not pay VAT on it, except some small personal allowance.

    For example I have few friends/former colleagues who now moved and work in Switzerland, couple of them in Geneva, and while its quite usual to cross over from Geneva to Germany for shopping (its very close to the border), you can only bring limited amounts of everything, not just alcohol but stuff like cheese, meats, whathaveyou, I believe the limit is 300 CHF and there's also specific limits like no more than 1kg of meat of any kind and the duties above those limits are VERY high effectively discouraging you to go and do your shopping across the border as it works better to just buy in Switzerland directly. It also has the positive effect that local producers can command much higher prices than they could have otherwise, which I guess is vital if they are to survive with the extreme cost of living in Switzerland.

    Seems the bobble-heads finally announced some conclusion to this whole Brexit conundrum.
    Seems like Switzerland operate in a similar way to the EU. Discouraging people from buying outside the bubble.
    Started out with nothing. Still have most of it left.

  26. #26
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    I’ve bought many watches and items on SC down through the years and I’m gutted not to be able to do this any more due to the VAT implications. An amazing act of self sabotage, this whole Brexit sh*te.

  27. #27
    Quote Originally Posted by oldoakknives View Post
    I feel sorry for you if you only buy from EU countries. I buy from all over the world, sometimes have to pay import duty etc but hey thats life.
    If he buys from outside the EU he will have to pay VAT on import. Not a big problem if buying from somewhere in the world that has not already levied VAT, but if he buys from the UK he will have to effecitevely pay "double VAT". The UK price with VAT built into it and import VAT into the UK.

  28. #28
    Quote Originally Posted by MB2 View Post
    If he buys from outside the EU he will have to pay VAT on import. Not a big problem if buying from somewhere in the world that has not already levied VAT, but if he buys from the UK he will have to effecitevely pay "double VAT". The UK price with VAT built into it and import VAT into the UK.
    Could still end up paying "double VAT" - often no facility to not pay VAT. Buying from companies like amazon, for example, how would you not pay VAT?

  29. #29
    Grand Master oldoakknives's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by MB2 View Post
    If he buys from outside the EU he will have to pay VAT on import. Not a big problem if buying from somewhere in the world that has not already levied VAT, but if he buys from the UK he will have to effecitevely pay "double VAT". The UK price with VAT built into it and import VAT into the UK.
    Unfortunate result of the UK having to introduce VAT on joining the EEC. There aren't many countries in the world though who don't have some form of VAT or 'consumption tax'.
    Started out with nothing. Still have most of it left.

  30. #30
    Master Dan83bz's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by MB2 View Post
    If he buys from outside the EU he will have to pay VAT on import. Not a big problem if buying from somewhere in the world that has not already levied VAT, but if he buys from the UK he will have to effecitevely pay "double VAT". The UK price with VAT built into it and import VAT into the UK.
    Exactly. And whereas with a car you can claim it back once you are exporting the car, with something like an expensive watch it would only work if the watch is specifically bought with intent to export, as you have a limited time window, so effectively, yes, in real life it would mean the UK buyer pays full UK VAT and then if I buy said watch from SC, I pay full EU/my country VAT again.
    https://www.revenue.ie/en/vat/retail...claim-VAT.aspx
    https://www.gov.uk/reclaim-vat

    Quote Originally Posted by oldoakknives View Post
    Unfortunate result of the UK having to introduce VAT on joining the EEC. There aren't many countries in the world though who don't have some form of VAT or 'consumption tax'.
    All that happened was they changed the name, no such thing that EU forced the tax on UK, it was simply called "Purchase Tax" which by the way was much higher (25% at the moment it was replaced by VAT but as high as 100% prior). It was not a point of sale applied tax though unlike VAT but rather applied at manufacture stage. Another interesting fact is that purchase tax as well as VAT was initially conceived as a tax on luxury goods rather than a blanket tax but now when it's the main source of income for governments its applied on everything from Rolexes to essential medicines or services.
    Last edited by Dan83bz; 25th December 2020 at 14:33.

  31. #31
    I am sure you will be able to buy new watches and have shipped to you (exported) and only pay local VAT but I expect any private or 2nd hand purchases will incur "double VAT"

  32. #32
    Grand Master oldoakknives's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Dan83bz View Post
    Exactly. And whereas with a car you can claim it back once you are exporting the car, with something like an expensive watch it would only work if the watch is specifically bought with intent to export, as you have a limited time window, so effectively, yes, in real life it would mean the UK buyer pays full UK VAT and then if I buy said watch from SC, I pay full EU/my country VAT again.
    https://www.revenue.ie/en/vat/retail...claim-VAT.aspx
    https://www.gov.uk/reclaim-vat



    All that happened was they changed the name, no such thing that EU forced the tax on UK, it was simply called "Purchase Tax" which by the way was much higher (25% at the moment it was replaced by VAT but as high as 100% prior). It was not a point of sale applied tax though unlike VAT but rather applied at manufacture stage. Another interesting fact is that purchase tax as well as VAT was initially conceived as a tax on luxury goods rather than a blanket tax but now when it's the main source of income for governments its applied on everything from Rolexes to essential medicines or services.
    Purchase tax was not 25% across the board. VAT was a condition of joining the EU. VAT applied to more goods than purchase tax did.
    Started out with nothing. Still have most of it left.

  33. #33
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    You may buy and sell less, but you need something to occupy your time and spend money on. Unless you replace watches with something else, your boredome level will increase as will your bank balance. As my wife keeps telling me, I cant take it with me.

    The world is a very small place. Brexit makes no difference.

  34. #34
    In Sweden, only VAT-registered companies avoid local VAT from a company abroad. As a private person, I buy new or used objects from a country outside the EU, I have to pay local VAT / market price and
    get a surcharge of close to 30% when I import. This means that for me in the EU I rarely trade with countries outside as the price is significantly higher. I'm not sure when this starts with import from UK.

  35. #35
    Master Dan83bz's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Jocke View Post
    In Sweden, only VAT-registered companies avoid local VAT from a company abroad. As a private person, I buy new or used objects from a country outside the EU, I have to pay local VAT / market price and
    get a surcharge of close to 30% when I import. This means that for me in the EU I rarely trade with countries outside as the price is significantly higher. I'm not sure when this starts with import from UK.
    Anything with posting date on or after 1st January 2021.

  36. #36
    Grand Master oldoakknives's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Jocke View Post
    In Sweden, only VAT-registered companies avoid local VAT from a company abroad. As a private person, I buy new or used objects from a country outside the EU, I have to pay local VAT / market price and
    get a surcharge of close to 30% when I import. This means that for me in the EU I rarely trade with countries outside as the price is significantly higher. I'm not sure when this starts with import from UK.
    So being in the EU effectively penalises you if you buy from countries outside the EU. Sounds great!
    Started out with nothing. Still have most of it left.

  37. #37
    Quote Originally Posted by oldoakknives View Post
    So being in the EU effectively penalises you if you buy from countries outside the EU. Sounds great!
    Was it not always the case that you paid vat, landing charges etc when you bought outside of the EU?

  38. #38
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    Not just EU. It is like that in any country (that doesnt have some trading/customs arrangement with others; EU is a free trade - no customs zone)
    Last edited by martyloveswatches; 28th December 2020 at 09:49.

  39. #39
    As I understand it, It’s another unfortunate consequence of Brexit that VAT will soon be due on all imports from the EU. Sadly, no more eBay/Chrono24 second hand purchases without the same customs charges as had been previously reserved to non-EU countries.

    For private sellers it’s just the new reality. It’s ok for businesses as I understand they can reach distance selling VAT arrangements (ie not pay VAT in their own country) but presumably they have to make enough sales to the UK make it worth their while.

  40. #40
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    Quote Originally Posted by oldoakknives View Post
    So being in the EU effectively penalises you if you buy from countries outside the EU. Sounds great!
    Basically the EU has added one country to the list of those it will add VAT when imports come in for the final user.
    The UK added 27. Maybe not so great, but we'll see.
    'Against stupidity, the gods themselves struggle in vain' - Schiller.

  41. #41
    Master Dan83bz's Avatar
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    Another minor positive aspect for the UK of exiting the EU is that it will drop the VAT-exemption threshold for small value items, currently set at between 15-25 EUR equivalent for all EU countries, which included the UK. This had enabled the sellers of cheap tat from Asia to sell their wares for ridiculously low prices driving local ones out of business and spawning the dozens of sites such as Wish.com and all that.

    Many countries, which now includes the UK have set hurdles in the way of this by applying VAT collected in advance or on arrival. Many US states, NZ, AU, Norway etc have had this in place for a while now and the EU hopefully soon follows suit.

    Quote Originally Posted by oldoakknives View Post
    So being in the EU effectively penalises you if you buy from countries outside the EU. Sounds great!
    It is absolutely normal, sound commercial thinking to protect your internal markets. EU is many countries but in terms of commerce it is one country, same as the US of A for example. And although the US is a bit more liberal with their imports than the EU, with higher exemption thresholds, still they do a lot to protect their internal market, Trump has been basing most of his campaign on this.
    Last edited by Dan83bz; 28th December 2020 at 10:35.

  42. #42
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    Quote Originally Posted by oldoakknives View Post
    So being in the EU effectively penalises you if you buy from countries outside the EU. Sounds great!
    You can see it like that if you like, I see it as it incentivises a person to buy within the EU bloc, which is a good thing for the EU economy, protecting their market so to speak.

    Edit. As Dan said above.

  43. #43
    Quote Originally Posted by Dan83bz View Post
    Another minor positive aspect for the UK of exiting the EU is that it will drop the VAT-exemption threshold for small value items, currently set at between 15-25 EUR equivalent for all EU countries, which included the UK. This had enabled the sellers of cheap tat from Asia to sell their wares for ridiculously low prices driving local ones out of business and spawning the dozens of sites such as Wish.com and all that.
    I often hear this being said usually by people who have a small business, why would you think a consumer is suddenly going to either pay more for British made "cheap tat" and I say pay more as if the prices were the same nobody would be buying cheap tat from abroad in the first place? It seems delusional to say the least that customers who are used to paying X for an item are suddenly going to happily pay Y for it now. All you are going to really achieve is a lot of very annoyed customers who will just vote with their feet.

    Same goes for pretty much anything, now we are out I am not going to suddenly pay more for a watch in the UK that I could have got cheaper a month ago from the EU I just wont buy it.

  44. #44
    Grand Master Saint-Just's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by robert75 View Post
    Same goes for pretty much anything, now we are out I am not going to suddenly pay more for a watch in the UK that I could have got cheaper a month ago from the EU I just wont buy it.
    ... and that is absolutely fine. It is entirely your choice, just like it is when a (UK) company decides to increase its prices. That is, unless you cannot do otherwise.
    'Against stupidity, the gods themselves struggle in vain' - Schiller.

  45. #45
    Quote Originally Posted by oldoakknives View Post
    So being in the EU effectively penalises you if you buy from countries outside the EU. Sounds great!
    Interesting spin. I wonder what can you say about UK customs procedures after January 1st.

  46. #46
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    Quote Originally Posted by Idontgram View Post
    As I understand it, It’s another unfortunate consequence of Brexit that VAT will soon be due on all imports from the EU.
    Looks like i've just been royally screwed then. I bought a watch off a German eBay seller on 17th December. Paid him immediately.
    He shipped it on 18th December by DHL parcel. I was hoping it might arrive in time for Christmas. It didn't.
    Instead it was returned to the seller on 24th December, because Brexit negotiations hadn't been finalized.

    https://www.dhl.com/global-en/home/t...=CY210665204DE

    I've asked him to re-send it. Will I have any recourse to claim back the VAT ?

  47. #47
    Grand Master RustyBin5's Avatar
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    Sales Corner post Brexit

    Quote Originally Posted by Seiko7A38 View Post
    Looks like i've just been royally screwed then. I bought a watch off a German eBay seller on 17th December. Paid him immediately.
    He shipped it on 18th December by DHL parcel. I was hoping it might arrive in time for Christmas. It didn't.
    Instead it was returned to the seller on 24th December, because Brexit negotiations hadn't been finalized.

    https://www.dhl.com/global-en/home/t...=CY210665204DE

    I've asked him to re-send it. Will I have any recourse to claim back the VAT ?
    I dont think you will pay VAT in both countries. If paid in Germany then won’t be in UK and vice versa - I may be wrong but that’s my understanding

  48. #48
    Grand Master Dave+63's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by RustyBin5 View Post
    I dont think you will pay VAT in both countries. If paid in Germany then won’t be in UK and vice versa - I may be wrong but that’s my understanding
    It all depends on whether it’s new or used.

    I’d imagine that, as per the rest of the world, you’ll buy new at excluding VAT prices and then pay UK VAT on arrival to the UK. The business in Germany (as per your example) will not have to charge VAT on anything they export from the EU.

    Second hand goods will, in the main, not be VAT reduced on exit from the EU but will be subject to UK VAT on entry to the UK.

  49. #49
    Grand Master Saint-Just's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Dave+63 View Post
    It all depends on whether it’s new or used.

    I’d imagine that, as per the rest of the world, you’ll buy new at excluding VAT prices and then pay UK VAT on arrival to the UK. The business in Germany (as per your example) will not have to charge VAT on anything they export from the EU.
    With the small caveat that they are actually registered for VAT. So if it's someone doing it on the side rather than as a main business, he may not be registered for VAT; in this case his price to German customers is the price you'll pay VAT on.

    That is, once the system is fully sorted and all the links in the chain know what they have to do...
    'Against stupidity, the gods themselves struggle in vain' - Schiller.

  50. #50
    Master draftsmann's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by RustyBin5 View Post
    I dont think you will pay VAT in both countries. If paid in Germany then won’t be in UK and vice versa - I may be wrong but that’s my understanding
    The related subjects of VAT leakage and double charging often see theory and real life diverge.

    It’s likely that airport customs officers will become a lot busier processing VAT refunds on personal exports and of course VAT payments on personal imports in both directions between Britain and the EU. Unless some common sense prevails of course...

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