|
HMRC have updated their guidance on buying
goods on the internet explaining when
duty and / or VAT will need to be paid.
The guidance has been updated in
recognition that we are becoming
increasingly global shoppers and may
therefore benefit from some
straightforward guidance.
The information includes warnings that
although you may think that a website is
quoting the full price for goods you may
also have to pay Customs duty, Excise duty
and / or import VAT.
An extract of the guidance confirms:
“If you buy goods online from
within the European Union (EU)
You will not be charged Customs duty or
import VAT.
Alcohol and tobacco products from
within the EU cannot be sent to the UK
unless arrangements have been made to pay
UK excise duty in advance.
The 27 EU countries are the UK, France,
Belgium, Luxembourg, The Netherlands,
Germany, Italy, The Irish Republic,
Denmark, Greece, Portugal, Spain, Sweden,
Finland, Austria, Malta, Estonia, Latvia,
Lithuania, Poland, Czech Republic,
Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, Cyprus,
Bulgaria and Romania.
If you buy goods online from a
country outside the European Union, for
instance the USA, Canada, China, Australia
You will be charged:
- Customs duty if the amount of duty
is €10 (£7*) or over
- Import VAT if the value of the goods
is €22 (£18*) and over
- Excise duty for some goods like
alcohol and tobacco.”
* The sterling value shown will be
subject to an annual review, and may be
adjusted, as a result of the Euro exchange
rate announced in the European Commission
Official Journal on the first working day
in October to take effect from 1 January
2009.
For more information visit the links
below.
Internet links:
HMRC guidance and
Frequently Asked Questions |
