VAT on non-UK Purchases

CMOTD · 27th-Feb-21, 01:07 PM

Amazon USA wouldn't ship to UK in the past. Has it changed recently?

Savage GT · 27th-Feb-21, 01:38 PM

On the product page it says: "+No Import Fees Deposit & $9.81 Shipping to United Kingdom".
So it must have.
I looked back and I ordered a TV wall mount bracket back in 2018 from the US via Amazon and I even got some money back on that as they apparently overcharged me the duties !

Mr.M · 27th-Feb-21, 01:57 PM

Weren't those 8 quid Mk1 Escorts a couple of years back from Amazon USA?

I say a couple of years, but if I actually go and look it up, it was probably 5, or 8.

Or 12.

dvd3500 · 1st-Mar-21, 11:23 AM

There is a tax free 22€/15 GBP (I think) limit so as it is a low cost item it will get through ...
That does change though in June or July as the courier will have to handle all the taxes..

Bon_Slott · 2nd-Mar-21, 10:31 PM

So what should a shop in the USA take care of when shipping to Germany for example? I want to order a few things from Slot Car Central any time soon, approximate value 250,- including shipping costs.

KensRedZed · 2nd-Mar-21, 11:17 PM

Hi Bon,

Companies that regularly ship over seas, know the ropes.

Bob has some nice, rare stuff there. I just bought an unused AFX dragster from 1975 for a mere $32. Crazy stuff. Thumbup

Your order seems large enough to make it worth your while. Have fun!

BAracer · 3rd-Mar-21, 08:45 AM

(2nd-Mar-21, 10:31 PM)Bon_Slott Wrote: So what should a shop in the USA take care of when shipping to Germany for example? I want to order a few things from Slot Car Central any time soon, approximate value 250,- including shipping costs.

I started this thread because I had to pay a 20% UK sales tax on some bits I bought from a USA retailer before the post office would deliver my parcel. Whether this same process applies to EU countries, I don't know. And I don't know whether it is possible to claim back the US sales tax on the transaction to offset some of the import tax.

dvd3500 · 3rd-Mar-21, 10:28 AM

Sales tax is not the same as VAT. It is in the name, sales, vs value add. Since a sale took place it doesn't matter where the person is from. It is treated the same as if you were there in person.

If you buy from the EU they shouldn't charge you the local VAT and you should only have to pay the UK VAT.

Savage GT · 4th-Mar-21, 04:53 AM

My order was one car at 44.99 USD plus nearly 10 USD delivery and then they added 20% VAT.
There is a note on the bottom of the invoice that says "VAT declared by Amazon " and the invoice lists their VAT no. starting with GB.
So hopefully I am good to go with no further costs, I didn't think we had sales tax in the UK ?

dvd3500 · 4th-Mar-21, 08:54 AM

You don't....
You have VAT and VAT is usually tied with "turnover tax" or whatever it is termed whereas sales tax only occurs at the point of sale. It's taxing the fact that a transaction has taken place and not the added value or turnover that occured.
A slightly different approach and hence why sales tax, once paid, cannot be gotten back.