BS: VAT Import query

Subject: RE: BS: VAT Import query
From: punkfolkrocker
Date: 05 Aug 18 - 10:45 AM

Nigel - I suspect you have vested interests in over complex taxation systems...???

Obviously I voted remain, after much deliberation...

Do I support the EU bureaucracy as it exists - of course not.
It needs reform - far reaching rational simplification and cost cutting...
Which I would hope to trust a brave and strong UK could actively campaign for from within membership.

Do I think brexit will usher in a new era of affluence and freedom for me and my loved one's - do I bollocks...!!!

RIP OFF BRITAIN will prevail, even far worse for UK consumers..

We'll just swap one set of over officious over salaried parasitic suits and ties for
an even worse bunch of power mad British greedy trough feeders...
Who will no doubt make our short/long term economy even worse for ordinary folks...

...imho...

Subject: RE: BS: VAT Import query
From: punkfolkrocker
Date: 05 Aug 18 - 12:10 PM

btw.. I just bought a half price wah wah pedal - but it only goes wah...!!!


I just bought a brand new boxed classic famous name wah wah pedal for total 63 quid - UK retail price £120 - £140...

Purchased perfectly legally from a EU music gear shop...

..and you may wonder why I am so wary of brexit bullshitters...???

Subject: RE: BS: VAT Import query
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 05 Aug 18 - 02:12 PM

Nigel - I suspect you have vested interests in over complex taxation systems...???
Your suspicions are totally unfounded. I don't believe anyone really gains from overly complex tax systems (except some politicians and accountants)

Do I support the EU bureaucracy as it exists - of course not.
It needs reform - far reaching rational simplification and cost cutting...
Which I would hope to trust a brave and strong UK could actively campaign for from within membership.
Which was tried. I believe there is a limit to how long you should bash your head against a brick wall before deciding to give up and find a way around it.
Even when Cameron said that if we didn't get concessions there was a risk the UK would vote to leave. The EU still wouldn't listen, so here we are.

Subject: RE: BS: VAT Import query
From: punkfolkrocker
Date: 05 Aug 18 - 02:27 PM

Nigel - brexit - [or whatever this dumbed down word really means]
may not in principle be an entirely wrong idea...???

But I certainly don't trust the main instigators and potential profiteering beneficiaries
motivating this existing dubious version of it...

My stance is whatever the official suits and ties decree,
WE will remain afflicted by perpetual RIP OFF BRITAIN...

I am not convinced living standards will be better for British Citizens.
I am not convinced travel, or working in Europe will not be made more difficult for us...

Subject: RE: BS: VAT Import query
From: Rumncoke
Date: 06 Aug 18 - 11:51 AM

We have had trouble in the past when accepting things for repair - my husband is a retired electronics design engineer and is probably the only person in the world able to do the work, so we get work from a large firm in Canada.
We have been asked to pay VAT on the 'imports' and the handling charge as well - even though the paperwork states that it is a repair, and we contact them and say it has been repaired and sent back to the owner.
I think that we have finally got it sorted out - though once we leave the EU we might have to go thorough the process again - unless of course that has not been sorted out and we have to pay VAT automatically on everything.

Subject: RE: BS: VAT Import query
From: punkfolkrocker
Date: 06 Aug 18 - 12:09 PM

A very close relative died on extended holiday in the USA.
When the police/coroner finally sent back cardboard boxes of her belongings,

[laptop, phone, printer, mp3 player, etc...]

UK customs slapped on a massive duty and VAT charge of well over a hundred quid,
despite the boxes being clearly marked as who the official sender was;
and our family already having to pay high admin costs to get her effects released and shipped...

[ On top of all the costs of getting her ashes repatriated...
Flimsy plastic box, ashes spilling out of the plastic bag, all over the death certificates..
That was a fun surprise opening the box...]

At that time of deep grief, it was too stressful going through the appeals procedures...
so time drifted and we never got round to applying for justifiable refund...

I wonder what the time limit for appeal might be now I've rememberd this...???

Subject: RE: BS: VAT Import query
From: Thompson
Date: 06 Aug 18 - 02:56 PM

Nigel writes: VAT cannot be zero-rated on E-books, nor on women's sanitary products because of EU rulings.

I don't think you're correct in this, Nigel. In Ireland tampons are now zero-rated.

If you have information on why ebooks can't be zero-rated under EU rules I'd be interested to read about that. All I can find is an EU vote
that ebooks can be zero-rated.

Subject: RE: BS: VAT Import query
From: robomatic
Date: 06 Aug 18 - 03:19 PM

PFR that was a horrible experience, losing a relative abroad and then getting duties added to the personal articles. If you're interested in following up on it, it would probably be up to the estate executor to be the reponsible party, and then he/she might want to contact someone who understands the issues and organs of government involved. Not so much the time expired since the unfortunate experience, but get the procedure started before BREXIT becomes final as that might have some involvement.

Subject: RE: BS: VAT Import query
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 06 Aug 18 - 04:23 PM

I don't think you're correct in this, Nigel. In Ireland tampons are now zero-rated.
Then they are acting against the dictates of the EU. According to Parliament UK while the EU are discussing liberalising their stance on this no date for implementation has been given.

If you have information on why ebooks can't be zero-rated under EU rules I'd be interested to read about that. All I can find is an EU vote that ebooks can be zero-rated.
Similarly your link about changing the VAT rules on e-books merely gives details of the intention of the EU to make a change. It has yet to happen.

Subject: RE: BS: VAT Import query
From: Thompson
Date: 06 Aug 18 - 05:30 PM

You're right, Nigel, and it's a typical example of how the EU works: in the discussions on whether this is right to do, the Czech finance minister raised the issue of possible fraud, and it's been deferred while this is examined. This is what happens when you have a democracy - everyone has to agree before the rules are changed.

Subject: RE: BS: VAT Import query
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 07 Aug 18 - 05:42 AM

From: Thompson - PM
Date: 06 Aug 18 - 05:30 PM
You're right, Nigel, and it's a typical example of how the EU works: in the discussions on whether this is right to do, the Czech finance minister raised the issue of possible fraud, and it's been deferred while this is examined. This is what happens when you have a democracy - everyone has to agree before the rules are changed.

What an amazing example of pro-EU 'spin'.
You start by complaining about VAT on sanitary products, which was EU policy. Even though you disagree (apparently) with that policy, you believe that it is a good thing that the EU can act democratically in not removing the VAT.

It seem that, in your eyes, the EU can do no wrong.

Subject: RE: BS: VAT Import query
From: Thompson
Date: 07 Aug 18 - 06:19 AM

The EU discussions are on VAT rates on ebooks.

Subject: RE: BS: VAT Import query
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 07 Aug 18 - 06:24 AM

So what's holding up the changes for sanitary products?

Subject: RE: BS: VAT Import query
From: Thompson
Date: 07 Aug 18 - 09:01 AM

Ask the individual countries; in Ireland they're zero-rated.

I wish Britain and Europe would work out their Brexit deal; the price of sterling keeps dropping and a pound is only worth 90 euro cents at the moment.

Subject: RE: BS: VAT Import query
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 07 Aug 18 - 09:08 AM

I wish Britain and Europe would work out their Brexit deal; the price of sterling keeps dropping and a pound is only worth 90 euro cents at the moment

try again. I think you'll find you have that totally backwards.

Subject: RE: BS: VAT Import query
From: Thompson
Date: 07 Aug 18 - 04:15 PM

Quite possible, I'm not so strong on arithmetic. Let's see…

Yeah, one euro is ninety pennies. Still not worth a damn to me in terms of getting rid of my sterling and getting some solid currency for it.

Subject: RE: BS: VAT Import query
From: FreddyHeadey
Date: 13 Aug 18 - 03:55 AM

"....from a North American retailer, I have the full Martin Lifetime Warranty on the instrument, rather than the shitty one-year Warranty that applies to Martin instruments bought from UK dealers."

What is the procedure if there is a fault in the guitar?



~~~~~~~~~~~~~
sanitary products\Ireland
this is from 2015, I don't know if the situation has changed since

"Ireland :
Sanitary towels, tampons and panty liners are zero-rated for VAT in Ireland,   as the rate was in place prior to EU legislation imposing minimum rates."
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-32883153 

Subject: RE: BS: VAT Import query
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 13 Aug 18 - 04:20 AM

Are johnnies zero-rated in Ireland too?

Subject: RE: BS: VAT Import query
From: punkfolkrocker
Date: 13 Aug 18 - 04:43 AM

Condoms are products for both men and women to purchase for mutual protection and pleasure.
Sanitary towels and tampons are specifically for women...

..though a minority of blokes might find some use for them...

eg, Bear Grylls starting camp fires...

Subject: RE: BS: VAT Import query
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 13 Aug 18 - 04:50 AM

"What is the procedure if there is a fault in the guitar?

Take or send it to the UK Authorised Service Centre (yes, there is one!) for assessment. Repair carried out there if possible, if not it has to go back to Nazareth PA - exactly the same procedure as it would be if I was a US resident.