VAT on Exports

Hi,

If I purchase a lens from a UK supplier for direct shipment to South Africa must or does the seller deduct VAT from the advertised price and charge me the lower price.

Greg

Probably best to ask the seller if he has that facility or is willing to do it.

HMRC has a web page here: hmrc

John

Some sellers won't do this simply because of the extra paperwork involved and may wish to charge an additional fee. Remember that they would normally have to charge VAT on shipping as at least part of this cost would be in the UK.

You would probably be better buying this from a US shop if you can. They are much more used to these issues as they generally add sales tax on, rather than taking it off.

Greg - the supplier should zero-rate this for you, as they can provide HMRC with evidence of export outwith the EU. If they are despatching this via a courier company, the supplier should explain that this is a permanent export to the courier company. The courier company should then either provide the exporter (supplier) with a copy of the NES Export Entry (if issued), and/or a copy of the bulk manifest (if shipped as low-value bulk) and a stamped copy of the master airway bill (MAWB) or courier baggage voucher (CBV). This is all the proof they will need to show to HMRC to explain why this particular transaction was zero-rated.

If the suppliers are unsure of the procedures, get them to talk to HMRC's NES Enquiry Team. The NES Enquiry Team's phone number (in the UK) is: 0845 001 0085, or if this number does not respond, call Cardiff: 02920 326371. If Cardiff are of no help to them, they will point them in the right direction.

Gareth - the shipping charges should be zero-rated for vat, as the final transaction will take place outwith the EU.

Thanks, that's how it works here, so now to find a supplier with a 43mm LTD lens who will deduct the VAT.

Greg

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Polaroid-Definition-Attachment-Includes-50-200mm/dp/B004...=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1334583599&sr=8-1

This one's made by Polaroid.

Thks Steven good price but this is the one I'm looking for :>)

link

Greg

Ooh!!.. Nice!!

You should expect to pay approx £520 for this then. This value is below the MOU threshold (don't worry about this gobbldeygook - us guys in the courier/freight business know what it is), so it would be shipped as a bulk export (no need for additional customs documentation), so all SRS (or whoever you buy from) will need is a copy of the export manifest showing the shipper and receiver's address details, the description of the goods (it would be helpful if the courier company also puts the serial number on the manifest), the purchase price (zero-rated), and a copy of the cbv/mawb the goods were shipped under. They should attach these copies onto their copy of the sales invoice to you. All that remains for you to do is pay any import duties/other taxes.

Greg - if push come to shove, I can handle the export for you. I can advise the supplier of their obligations from the HMRC pov, and I am able to monitor the lens through to final delivery.

Greg, if silver is ok, this is a great price ( quoted with and withou vat ):

http://www.cameranu.nl/en/objectieven/pentax/vast-brandpunt/pentax-smc-fa-43mm-f...

Thanks for all the advice and offers of help, I love this forum, but don’t make any spelling or punctuation mistakes when posting
After all this I may well have found one locally.
Greg

You've found a local spelling mistake?

Nothing special - they're everywhere.

Somebody suggested buying from America. The problem with that is that American shipping charges can be very high. Many sellers are locked into a deal with a particular shipper that is cheap for local deliveries, but expensive for overseas.

G

Neither B&H nor Adorama have stock at the moment, I normally use B&H.

Greg

I tried to place an order with SRS for a 43mm F1.9 Ltd lens as they have stock and the response was that they only ship to Europe

Greg