Buying abroad....import into the uk.....?

[d8mok]

I've got this thread running as im hoping to import a frame from Canada.

https://www.retrobike.co.uk/threads/importing-a-frame-from-canada-costs.489199/

I will try to avoid as many charges as possible (within the law). But it isn't easy to find a definitive answer on what will be charged.

It also annoys me that they want VAT on a used item where the taxes will have been paid when new. oh plus likely import taxes and lots of other things

 

[Betsy]

My only defence is that i just like to buy nice things .. those things are often used / vintage and have already been subject to VAT under the common market. (edit- Dom beat me to it^)

When it comes to buying new.. i don't mind paying VAT.. the only reason i buy from abroad is.. UK consumer goods are more often than not, made in China, lowest common denominator, race to the bottom type nonsense.. i don't mind who makes my consumables, i just want them to be high quality, made with care and a fair wage paid under reasonable working conditions.. which is why i buy from JP instead of the UK.

 

[brocklanders023]

I've bought from Bike Discount in Germany since Brexit and never been charged any extra below £135. Above that they sort the VAT then you get hit for customs by the courier. Plenty of people on Singletrackworld report the same but even with the charges plenty of parts (forks, etc) still work out cheaper.

https://www.bike-discount.de/en/bike

 

[Betsy]

I've bought from Bike Discount in Germany since Brexit and never been charged any extra below £135. Above that they sort the VAT then you get hit for customs by the courier. Plenty of people on Singletrackworld report the same but even with the charges plenty of parts (forks, etc) still work out cheaper.

https://www.bike-discount.de/en/bike

Yep.. now we're out of the customs union, If the goods are worth less than £135 then the seller should register with HMRC and pay the VAT

If the sale is via eBay then eBay act as tax collector and the VAT is added at point of purchase so there are no additional charges at the UK border.

A lot of small foreign sellers have no clue about this so do not register with HMRC and VAT is evaded.. or sometimes purposely evaded.. i would assume 'Bike Discount' would be registered..

This is how companies like Temu, Shein and such avoid VAT by directly shipping low value goods to UK customers without registering with HMRC.

...and this is where the waters are muddied.. when you're buying from an individual rather than a company.. the application of VAT can be a bit like the wild west.. as @d8mok has found out

 

[bikeworkshop]

Technically vat is due only on any margin added to a used item (fair enough) - although you might only be able to do it this way if you are vat registered?

I'm interested in total tax paid across income range.
It looks like the low paid pay low tax, and the rich pay 20% (by taking earnings as capital gains)
So those employed earning 25-50k are often paying the most, at around 35-45%

 

[d8mok]

Technically vat is due only on any margin added to a used item (fair enough) - although you might only be able to do it this way if you are vat registered?

I'm interested in total tax paid across income range.
It looks like the low paid pay low tax, and the rich pay 20% (by taking earnings as capital gains)
So those employed earning 25-50k are often paying the most, at around 35-45%

Are we now talking about income tax ?

 

[bikeworkshop]

Are we now talking about income tax ?

Looking at total taxation of your life's activities.

I believe private helicopter carries a lot less tax than a sandwich at lunch time.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-41886607

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sou...usg=AOvVaw0Z84tfeYW3FF2HhYBWh5sq&opi=89978449

 

[Betsy]

We're veering a bit off course here..