If you are importing goods to the UK from specific regions of the globe then you’ll have to pay import vat when you import goods from eu special territories or even from non eu countries. This tax is collected by the hmrc vat department or hm revenue and customs department at the port or airport itself and also the goods are then subject to local sales vat rules.
The hmrc has provided for 14,000 classifications of goods and services which are subject to customs duties, excise duties and import vat. Most alcohol and tobacco products along with certain activities such as gambling are governed by excise duties while almost every other imports fall under customs duties and import vat according to the goods and the country from where they arrive.
The hmrc has specified eu special territories where import vat is going to be levied if goods or services are brought in or sent to such territories. Those are the vatcheck.com/vat French Overseas Departments of Guadeloupe, The Canary Islands in Spain, The Aland Islands in Finland, French Guiana, Mount Athos and Reunion and Martinique in Greece, and also the Channel Islands in the UK. This vat may also be levied whenever you import goods from non eu countries.
However, if you are a vat registered trader in the UK you’ll be able to apply for a vat refund when you have already paid vat on any goods in the nation of origin itself before being imported into the UK. You can also offset this vat against sales vat if the goods that you have imported are sold from our UK market. Countries such as the UK and Italy offer special vat deferment schemes where you can get relief from import vat for up to one month by filing out a special vat form with the hmrc and opening of an special vat deferment account with them. This move would help safeguard your cash flow.
Once you start selling your goods or services from your market then you’ll also have to charge the local sales vat rate to the clients. You will have to make vat invoices that specifically mention vat rates and also file regular vat returns. If you have problem in understanding various duties and taxes imposed by the hmrc then you should engage the services of an excellent vat and customs agent. This will allow you to focus on expanding your business while all relevant paperwork and payment of taxes and duties is handled in an efficient manner.
The import vat rates are the same as sales vat rates of similar products available in the UK. The UK has 3 vat rate slabs. The first is the standard vat rate of 17.5% which is slated to go up to 20% from January 4, 2011. The second is the reduced vat rate of 5% while the third is zero vat rate. There’s also certain goods and services that are totally exempt from any vat.
You ought to have sufficient knowledge on various duties and taxes applicable on imported goods into the UK so that you can calculate the costs with an accurate basis. You should use all legal avenues to lower your costs like vat refunds, vat deferments, etc so that you can lower your costs further and enhance the cash flow of your business. You should diligently pay import vat when you import goods from eu special territories or from non eu countries and use the services of an efficient vat agent to claim additional vat back.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.