I was looking through the Osborn's site earlier and noticed they say for countries outside the EEC no vat so saving another 20% on orders or words to that effect.
As it looks like the UK will now be leaving the EEC, do you think we will be getting stuff a bit cheaper, or will we get another slice of pie in the sky?
Is VAT not controlled by the UK treasury rather then EU???
Without getting political I'd love to know how the current promised NEW BRITAIN will be paid for let alone giving us a VAT break as well
Quote from: honestjudge on December 24, 2019, 06:33:26 PM
I was looking through the Osborn's site earlier and noticed they say for countries outside the EEC no vat so saving another 20% on orders or words to that effect.
As it looks like the UK will now be leaving the EEC, do you think we will be getting stuff a bit cheaper, or will we get another slice of pie in the sky?
That only applies to countries that don't charge VAT, which we do whether or not we were to leave or stay.
In theory, once out of the EU the UK could replace VAT e.g. with purchase tax. Seems unlikely, though, as VAT is a good earner for the gov, with tax at every stage of production...
Quote from: exmouthcraig on December 24, 2019, 06:38:22 PM
Is VAT not controlled by the UK treasury rather then EU???
A bit of control by both is probably the best answer.
Quote from: keithfre on December 24, 2019, 06:48:59 PM
In theory, once out of the EU the UK could replace VAT e.g. with purchase tax. Seems unlikely, though, as VAT is a good earner for the gov, with tax at every stage of production...
Of course, in the VAT return, one offsets input tax against output tax, so the gain for HMG only appears once there is a sale to the final consumer.
John
Unless things have changed, when importing from outside the EU (and presumably from the EU once the UK has left) there is no VAT to pay on goods up to £15 (there are some exceptions, such as alcohol, tobacco products or perfume). There is also no VAT to pay on gifts with a value of up to £39. There is no duty to pay on goods up to a value of £135.
And for anyone who cares to do the sums, removing a 20% uplift (i.e. VAT) from a price works out as a 16 2/3 % discount.
John P
Quote from: jpendle on December 24, 2019, 07:47:30 PM
And for anyone who cares to do the sums, removing a 20% uplift (i.e. VAT) from a price works out as a 16 2/3 % discount.
John P
Or 1/6 for the less mathematically inclined.
Is Jaffa liveried stuff VAT free? ;)
Quote from: honestjudge on December 24, 2019, 06:33:26 PM
I was looking through the Osborn's site earlier and noticed they say for countries outside the EEC no vat so saving another 20% on orders or words to that effect.
As it looks like the UK will now be leaving the EEC, do you think we will be getting stuff a bit cheaper, or will we get another slice of pie in the sky?
This applies to orders placed by people resident
outside the EU.
If/when the UK leaves the EU's regulatory frameworks or whatever, it will presumably apply to people resident
outside the UK, meaning people resident in EU states will then be treated in the same way as the rest of the world. I.e. those are the people who will be getting stuff cheaper (though they'll then likely run the risk of import duties etc.).
Before EU days, purchases from Europe were generally free of VAT, as were our sales to EU. That situation could return.
My original post was really aimed at purchasing from the EU as I am a big fan of the continental outline.
Not being well up on tax rules, and from the replies given, it looks like VAT or no VAT, they will still get something out of you.
Quote from: honestjudge on December 26, 2019, 11:02:14 AMit looks like VAT or no VAT, they will still get something out of you.
There are only two certainties in life - death and taxes ;)
It's possible, depending on the agreement that's reached, that yes, you wouldn't pay VAT at point of purchase, however you'll then just get charged by HMRC upon import, as with purchases from outside the EU presently. Given the exorbitant handling fees ParcelForce levy there's no way stuff is going to get cheaper!
It would be interesting to know which of the foreign international suppliers deduct local VAT/sales tax at the moment for exports outside the EU/their country. People like Walthers add a documentation charge for filling out the customs declaration for the UK. Their domestic mail order sales outside Milwaukee are not subject to sales tax anyway so there is no tax deduction.
As @njee20 (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=profile;u=1147) says once the UK has left the EU then anyone purchasing from the remaining EU countries will likely be able to buy VAT free, so if VAT is 20% (1/5) then you get 16.33% (1/6) off the listed price.
At this point it is up to the UK Government of the day what happens next. But probably, if there is no deal, then you'll get charged VAT (at 20%) plus whatever import duties are liable under WTO rules, plus a handling charge by the relevant carrier. If a deal is done you might get lucky and be able to buy at list price plus postage.
US suppliers only add sales tax if they are shipping to or selling in their home state and US prices NEVER include sales tax, although as Amazon have wiped out US sales tax revenues because of this loophole the laws are changing over here, but that shouldn't affect international shipments from the US.
As an aside, sales taxes are levied by the state, county, and city, so I can buy a jug of milk from the same supermarket in the 4 different towns near me and not pay the same price in any of them :doh:
John P