VAT import thresholds are not being relaxed in December

[David Woolley (E.L)]

Earlier in the year, there were reports on this list that the minimum
import value, below which VAT (and therefore the carrier's import
processing charge) are waived, was being raised from (when converted to
GBP) it was GBP 105, rather than GBP 18  (EUR 150 and 22, respectively).

Unfortunately, that was a misunderstanding.  What is actually being
raised is a limit for customs duty purposes.  Elecraft kits, at least,
do not attract customs duty, so the result is that there is no change.

Further details can be found in this HM Revenue and Customs document:

Changes to the de minimis limits to Customs duty for goods imported by
post (Acrobat PDF, 18KB)
<http://customs.hmrc.gov.uk/channelsPortalWebApp/downloadFile?contentID=HMCE_PROD1_028770>

--
David Woolley
"The Elecraft list is a forum for the discussion of topics related to
Elecraft products and more general topics related ham radio"
List Guidelines <http://www.elecraft.com/elecraft_list_guidelines.htm>
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[David Cutter]

I keep misunderstanding the difference between import tax and VAT.  I
"thought" that kits were absolved of one but not the other.  Perhaps you
could clarify.

David
G3UNA

> Earlier in the year, there were reports on this list that the minimum
> import value, below which VAT (and therefore the carrier's import
> processing charge) are waived, was being raised from (when converted to
> GBP) it was GBP 105, rather than GBP 18  (EUR 150 and 22, respectively).
>
> Unfortunately, that was a misunderstanding.  What is actually being raised
> is a limit for customs duty purposes.  Elecraft kits, at least, do not
> attract customs duty, so the result is that there is no change.
>
> Further details can be found in this HM Revenue and Customs document:
>
> Changes to the de minimis limits to Customs duty for goods imported by
> post (Acrobat PDF, 18KB)
> <http://customs.hmrc.gov.uk/channelsPortalWebApp/downloadFile?contentID=HMCE_PROD1_028770>
>

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[David Cutter]

I keep misunderstanding the difference between import tax and VAT.  I
"thought" that kits were absolved of one but not the other.  Perhaps you
could clarify.

David
G3UNA

> Earlier in the year, there were reports on this list that the minimum
> import value, below which VAT (and therefore the carrier's import
> processing charge) are waived, was being raised from (when converted to
> GBP) it was GBP 105, rather than GBP 18  (EUR 150 and 22, respectively).
>
> Unfortunately, that was a misunderstanding.  What is actually being raised
> is a limit for customs duty purposes.  Elecraft kits, at least, do not
> attract customs duty, so the result is that there is no change.
>
> Further details can be found in this HM Revenue and Customs document:
>
> Changes to the de minimis limits to Customs duty for goods imported by
> post (Acrobat PDF, 18KB)
> <http://customs.hmrc.gov.uk/channelsPortalWebApp/downloadFile?contentID=HMCE_PROD1_028770>
>

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[David Woolley (E.L)]

David Cutter wrote:
> I keep misunderstanding the difference between import tax and VAT.  I
> "thought" that kits were absolved of one but not the other.  Perhaps you
> could clarify.

Kits are free of import duty.  They are not free of VAT.  The change
doesn't affect the rules for VAT, so it has no effect on the cost of kits.


--
David Woolley
"The Elecraft list is a forum for the discussion of topics related to
Elecraft products and more general topics related ham radio"
List Guidelines <http://www.elecraft.com/elecraft_list_guidelines.htm>
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[Dave, G4AON]

David I understand that even assembled amateur radio transceivers are
duty free. The big problem with any import from outside the EU, is that
firstly you pay a lot of money for shipping, then the shipping agent
will charge a handling fee for customs clearance and on top of it all
you pay vat on the lot.

Smaller items bought after a main kit are subject to a charge of £13.50
from Parcel Force for customs clearance, I am not sure of the threshold
where you pay less, but for most parts such as a KXV3, couple of
filters, or whatever, you will get the £13.50 sting in the tail. UPS
used to charge less, my complete K3 kit only attracted an £11 handling
charge by UPS a year ago.

I'm glad I bought my K3 when there were nearly $2 to one GBP!

73 Dave, G4AON
K3/100 #80
-----------------
I keep misunderstanding the difference between import tax and VAT. I
"thought" that kits were absolved of one but not the other. Perhaps you
could clarify.

David
G3UNA
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[David Woolley (E.L)]

Dave G4AON wrote:
>
> Smaller items bought after a main kit are subject to a charge of £13.50
> from Parcel Force for customs clearance, I am not sure of the threshold

Only if you choose express delivery.

> where you pay less, but for most parts such as a KXV3, couple of

You pay only GBP 8 for anything up to GBP 1000, when using normal
delivery.  E.g. my K2 only attracted GBP 8 for processing.

> filters, or whatever, you will get the £13.50 sting in the tail. UPS

Below GBP 18, there is no VAT, Customs, or handling charge.

<http://www.parcelforce.com/portal/pw/content1?mediaId=load105044&catId=2500042>

--
David Woolley
"The Elecraft list is a forum for the discussion of topics related to
Elecraft products and more general topics related ham radio"
List Guidelines <http://www.elecraft.com/elecraft_list_guidelines.htm>

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