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So, long story short. I bought something (not a bike) sometime in November. It was slated to ship this month. Reading the rules at the time, it seemed like as long as you’d purchased before the B word, you’d be ok and not have to do the VAT dance.
It now seems like my purchase is in some sort of grey area. If it was bought and delivered before the Brexit deadline, then it’s unambiguous. If it was bought now, and delivered now, the seller would have to have collected UK VAT at point of sale. However, I am in a position where I paid EU VAT at the time of purchase, and could potentially have to pay UK VAT at point of entry into the UK. Surely, I cannot be the only person in this position? I know things like bikes often come with long lead times and someone else too must have had to handle it.
Cancelling the order is not be an option, as it’s customised. The manufacturers are basically 2 people operating out of a shed, so I’ve not got a lot of faith in them to sort out the tax situation. At best, they can give me their company reg ID in the EU or something along those lines, including evidence that they charged me EU VAT which I also have proof of. How on earth are these handled?
I’m sure Carrie Symonds picked out some Italian marble for the new number 11 countertops. Surely she thought of this before Bojo’s Bozos pulled the plug?
Ask them to refund and re bill you, minus EU VAT?
They are under no obligation to do so, mind. So you might be shit out of luck.
If it was bought now, and delivered now, the seller would have to have collected UK VAT at point of sale.
Only if it was sub £135.
Yeah, good point. I could try that. Thanks! It’s just that it’ll cost them money to process it that way I think.
I've a handlebar bag bought pre brexit (yes it's a very expensive one), it's being shipped in two packages to get it below the vat threshold..... So I guess a bike would still be stopped as your contract with the seller hasn't been completed yet.
I’m sure Carrie Symonds picked out some Italian marble for the new number 11 countertops
They'll just claim the vat back at next vat return...
At best, they can give me their company reg ID in the EU or something along those lines, including evidence that they charged me EU VAT
if they've charged you vat it'll be itemised on their invoice which would also have their vat registration number on it.
So, this seems pretty unequivocal that goods sold before the date don’t attract UK VAT again:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/vat-and-overseas-goods-sold-to-customers-in-the-uk-using-online-marketplaces#goods-sold-before-1-january-2021
But it makes no mention of how to signal this when the goods enter the UK. Typical politics, big on announcements, short on implementation.
The carrier may well try to charge you VAT and duty. If they do and they cannot see the error of their ways you can recover it from the taxman. not sure about the handling fee though...
I am in a position where I paid EU VAT at the time of purchase, and could potentially have to pay UK VAT at point of entry into the UK.
What's EU VAT? Do you mean that you paid UK VAT on a purchase from the EU?
Brexit or no you shouldn't have to pay VAT twice. What you might have to pay is various import duties and fees.
(As I understand it, etc etc)