Implications of "B-day" on purchases from abroad

I don't like to use the "B" Word but what will the implications of "B-day" (Jan 1st 2020) for purchasing from Europe (and other parts of the world potentially), particularly if there is no "deal" - I know a lot of people buy from Ebay sellers abroad, will there be additional Taxes and/or Duties payable?

Sorry if this has been discussed already, if it has I hadn't spotted it

Depends on what our Trade Deal is with the Country of origin. We've already signed a deal with Japan, but don't know the details for photographic gear. Could be better in some respects, i.e. cessation of this video length restriction nonsense, etc. No idea about tariffs.

The UK Global Tariff list for post-Jan 2021 is here link. Tariff for digital cameras currently 0%, will be 0% (no change). Tariff for objective lenses for cameras, projectors or photographic enlargers or reducers currently 6.7%, will be 0% (reduced ). Tariff for photographic film currently 5-6.5% depending on type, will be 0% (reduced ). Note that the list "does not cover other import duties or measures, including anti-dumping, countervailing or safeguards duties, or any other form of restrictions on imports.". And it does not cover special rates for countries with which the UK has a trade deal.

Steve

I just had a long email from Amazon UK telling me all the rules for ordering from them, VAT rates, duties payable etc etc, plus returns will no longer be free. I would have to pay for postage and any duties VAT etc due on whatever I returned. Wasn't keen on Amazon anyway but they are a no go shop for me now, and I expect others, including SRS sadly, will follow.

Now watch secondhand kit sales go through the roof.

Can’t you use Amazon.nl?

Perhaps having to pay for returns to Amazon UK is due to distance selling regulations not applying across the UK - EU border. And presumably it's the same the other way, too. Of course, regulations don't say that a business must not pay for international returns, but if they don't have to pay it's a fair bet that most won't.

I ordered two very similar children's toys from Amazon. One was sent from a UK depot, the other came from a French depot. Other things have come from Italy and elsewhere even though there was nothing on the UK website to suggest they wouldn't be coming from the UK. No doubt they have ways of making this sort of thing work whatever happens. No doubt they have also worked out how to minimise how much they pay in tax and how to maximise income from customers....

Steve

Amazon.NL is rubbish, and rarely cheaper than other shops here. I try to avoid Amazon anyway but will completely avoid it now.
I don't know if SRS and the like will continue to post to Europe with the variations in VAT and any duties and stuff.
Can't a see a deal (ha what deal?) making any difference.

Maybe our car prices can drop again now though after the British screwed them up for us.
Somehow I doubt that too.

You live in Holland. Buy locally. I dont see what your issue is.

VAT at the moment is not free on a UK-NL import. After Brexit you will not be charged VAT by the seller but will have to pay it on import. So no real change.

The issue is price. Just as for anyone here. Dutch prices are often much higher than UK prices for all sorts of things.
I do shop locally when I can, but I have to watch the budget, and if SRS, or any other UK shop (photography or otherwise) is cheaper I will use them.

Buying things on Ebay or wherever if they are in Europe will get complicated for you too deal or no. As will your holidays in Europe.

And you will be able to continue too do so, even in the event of "no deal". You will still have to pay the vat although in a more complicated way, through the delivery service (PTT or courier). You may also have import duties to pay. This is no different to how you would pay for goods now bought from Japan or the USA.


I have bought and sold goods via ebay for many countries outside the EU. It involves one extra form to fill in online. If the cost of goods in Holland is your concern you should take that up with your elected representatives. Ask them to explain why taxes are so high in the Netherlands.

I have also holidayed in many countries outside the EU. Visa's are easy to obtain, usually online or dealt with at immigration in the country concerned.

I voted to remain in the EU, but find the doom-mongering about leaving to be silly.

Many companies in the UK will just stop supplying to Europe. Too complicated for small businesses.
I am not doom mongering. I didn't start this thread. I merely pointed out that for me Brexit, deal or otherwise will make life more complicated and difficult. I knew it would be so, I just said I'd had an email from Amazon laying out their changes.
But it will more difficult for everyone in many different ways.
The Daily Mail and it's ilk are screaming blue murder about Schengen regulations as if they are a new law especially aimed at Britain. They aren't but they and many Britons, including those negotiating a deal, don't seem to realise you can't have your cake and eat it when it comes to Brexit.
I am sorry Britain took that route instead of working within the EU for change. It is what it is and we will live with it.

Come the new tax/tariff rules particularly with Japan, i'm hoping it will be cheaper and less hassle to import used lenses from Japan. Seem to be some really nice condition lenses available on Ebay from there at quite attractive prices. All priced in $US which has been a problem recently. However given that the US will be trying to sell as much stuff to us as they can shortly I'm expecting the US dollar to weaken against Sterling making Japanese imports even more attractive.

If the US sell more goods and services into the UK, that by itself will strengthen the US dollar against sterling, not weaken it. Somewhere along the line sterling will have to be sold so that American exporters receive US dollars for their goods.

The level of the trade and services balance may well shift over the coming years, but it is a two way street.

But probably the biggest factors to move the currency will be direct investment into the UK, not trade, and how the markets perceive the UK (and all countries) are going to manage the enormous extra debt they have written during the pandemic.

At the moment though the dollar is too expensive...UK consumers won't be able to afford US products...so £ will strengthen against Dollar...also they will want our tourists again...another reason.