BongoBongo
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May 2007
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Customs and art prints, by BongoBongo on May 11, 2007 13:43:26 GMT 1, Does anybody know the deal with customs, VAT and prints coming into the UK. I just got stung for a print from japan. ยฃ64 VAT and ยฃ14 parcelforce handling fee. To be honest it never crossed my mind that ebay items were gonna feed the taxman but now I know. Am I right in thinking that you don't pay any import duty but you still need to pay 17.5% VAT? Do prints fall into the 5% VAT for art work?
Thanks for the help, I'm still very new to buying prints and this forum is a great place to learn.
Does anybody know the deal with customs, VAT and prints coming into the UK. I just got stung for a print from japan. ยฃ64 VAT and ยฃ14 parcelforce handling fee. To be honest it never crossed my mind that ebay items were gonna feed the taxman but now I know. Am I right in thinking that you don't pay any import duty but you still need to pay 17.5% VAT? Do prints fall into the 5% VAT for art work?
Thanks for the help, I'm still very new to buying prints and this forum is a great place to learn.
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Customs and art prints, by corblimeylimey on May 11, 2007 14:04:51 GMT 1, There's a discussion about it here
banksyforum.proboards82.com/index.cgi?board=ebaychat&action=display&thread=1178103720
Basically you'll probably be charged Vat (17.5%) + Duty (I think 5%) + handling charge. There is a way to get your VAT reduced but may only apply to original art work (that which has been created entirely by hand)
I'll try to find a few links.
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dmandpenfold
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December 2006
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Customs and art prints, by dmandpenfold on May 11, 2007 14:05:30 GMT 1, From what i understand VAT on art should only be about 5%, if this is right and you've been overcharged then you should be able to claim it back. Parcelforce are cheeky b*stards on the handling fee.
You could always ask the seller to put a low value on it when shipped, the risk is though that you might be under-insured if it disappears or get's damaged.
Customs don't always catch on i've had a few come through which they havn't noticed or charged VAT for.
From what i understand VAT on art should only be about 5%, if this is right and you've been overcharged then you should be able to claim it back. Parcelforce are cheeky b*stards on the handling fee.
You could always ask the seller to put a low value on it when shipped, the risk is though that you might be under-insured if it disappears or get's damaged.
Customs don't always catch on i've had a few come through which they havn't noticed or charged VAT for.
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Customs and art prints, by corblimeylimey on May 11, 2007 14:08:03 GMT 1, As for lower VAT check this out
snipurl.com/1jhnx
There are also very strict rules, eg, "Original engravings, prints and lithographs, being impressions produced in limited numbers directly in black and white or in colour of one or several plates executed entirely by hand by the artist, irrespective of the process or of the material employed by him, but not including any mechanical or photomechanical process"
I take that as reading the artist making the screen print himself, and a lot of screenprints use a photomechanical process.
As for lower VAT check this out snipurl.com/1jhnxThere are also very strict rules, eg, "Original engravings, prints and lithographs, being impressions produced in limited numbers directly in black and white or in colour of one or several plates executed entirely by hand by the artist, irrespective of the process or of the material employed by him, but not including any mechanical or photomechanical process" I take that as reading the artist making the screen print himself, and a lot of screenprints use a photomechanical process. |
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dmandpenfold
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Posts โข 2,466
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December 2006
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Customs and art prints, by dmandpenfold on May 11, 2007 14:17:04 GMT 1, That's useful stuff CBL, Royal Mail may have added the VAT at 17.5% arbitrarily reading this para-
"Royal Mail/Parcelforce will ask you for payment of VAT when the package is delivered. You must keep the charge label which was attached to the package to support any claim to input tax. You cannot defer payment of import VAT and duty on these consignments"
I reckon in the majority of ltd ed. runs you should be able to get away with only 5% tariff if you claim the 12.5% overcharge back and word it carefully, it would take customs some time to prove otherwise and they've probably got bigger fish to fry
That's useful stuff CBL, Royal Mail may have added the VAT at 17.5% arbitrarily reading this para-
"Royal Mail/Parcelforce will ask you for payment of VAT when the package is delivered. You must keep the charge label which was attached to the package to support any claim to input tax. You cannot defer payment of import VAT and duty on these consignments"
I reckon in the majority of ltd ed. runs you should be able to get away with only 5% tariff if you claim the 12.5% overcharge back and word it carefully, it would take customs some time to prove otherwise and they've probably got bigger fish to fry
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Customs and art prints, by irf2112 on May 11, 2007 14:40:16 GMT 1, why dont you tell the sender to mark it as a 'gift' - this equals to 'no VAT'...
why dont you tell the sender to mark it as a 'gift' - this equals to 'no VAT'...
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Customs and art prints, by corblimeylimey on May 11, 2007 14:54:02 GMT 1, why dont you tell the sender to mark it as a 'gift' - this equals to 'no VAT'...
No it doesn't, a gift will raise the level that Duty kicks in from ยฃ7 to ยฃ36 and VAT from ยฃ18 to ยฃ36.
why dont you tell the sender to mark it as a 'gift' - this equals to 'no VAT'... No it doesn't, a gift will raise the level that Duty kicks in from ยฃ7 to ยฃ36 and VAT from ยฃ18 to ยฃ36. |
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tadghostal
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Posts โข 491
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February 2007
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Customs and art prints, by tadghostal on May 11, 2007 19:50:57 GMT 1, Again a question for everybody in the UK---
How/Why are you being charged to buy Banksy prints that were printed and sold from the UK to begin with?! Its not like these items are of foreign origin and competing with your domestically produced products. They are local (UK) produced products that have already been sold at retail by UK companies, and that original sale satisfied all the associated tax expenses.
Were I in the UK, I'd be incredibly pissed off at having to pay that sort of exorbitant tax to simply re-import a domestic product. If anything, the foreigners (Americans, Australians, Asians, etc) that are selling Banksy on ebay have helped contribute to the success of the British economy by purchasing domestic British products.
To punish its own citizens who want to buy these items back is just extraordinarily absurd to me. It contradicts all possible logic, and there seems to be absolutely no defense for it whatsoever. There must be some way to petition/protest these absurd charges and obtain an exemption of some sort.
Again a question for everybody in the UK---
How/Why are you being charged to buy Banksy prints that were printed and sold from the UK to begin with?! Its not like these items are of foreign origin and competing with your domestically produced products. They are local (UK) produced products that have already been sold at retail by UK companies, and that original sale satisfied all the associated tax expenses.
Were I in the UK, I'd be incredibly pissed off at having to pay that sort of exorbitant tax to simply re-import a domestic product. If anything, the foreigners (Americans, Australians, Asians, etc) that are selling Banksy on ebay have helped contribute to the success of the British economy by purchasing domestic British products.
To punish its own citizens who want to buy these items back is just extraordinarily absurd to me. It contradicts all possible logic, and there seems to be absolutely no defense for it whatsoever. There must be some way to petition/protest these absurd charges and obtain an exemption of some sort.
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Customs and art prints, by corblimeylimey on May 11, 2007 20:03:21 GMT 1, Governments don't listen, especially when it comes to tax cutting requests.
Anyway at least we get free medical care.
Governments don't listen, especially when it comes to tax cutting requests.
Anyway at least we get free medical care.
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tadghostal
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February 2007
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Customs and art prints, by tadghostal on May 11, 2007 20:10:55 GMT 1, Anyway at least we get free medical care.
After the heart attack from the unexpected VAT and postal service charges, that should come in handy. ;D
Anyway at least we get free medical care. After the heart attack from the unexpected VAT and postal service charges, that should come in handy. ;D |
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Octopus UK
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February 2007
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Customs and art prints, by Octopus UK on May 11, 2007 20:11:53 GMT 1, If the prints are bought from the UK by someone outside the EU they should not pay VAT (or at least reclaim it). 17.5% on ยฃ650 is ยฃ113.75 or $225. They might have to pay an equivalent of VAT (Sales Tax) or duty when the prints arrive in their country. When such a print returns to the UK then the (original) VAT becomes due.
I agree that if VAT has been paid once it shouldn't be paid again.
If the prints are bought from the UK by someone outside the EU they should not pay VAT (or at least reclaim it). 17.5% on ยฃ650 is ยฃ113.75 or $225. They might have to pay an equivalent of VAT (Sales Tax) or duty when the prints arrive in their country. When such a print returns to the UK then the (original) VAT becomes due.
I agree that if VAT has been paid once it shouldn't be paid again.
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dmandpenfold
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Posts โข 2,466
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December 2006
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Customs and art prints, by dmandpenfold on May 11, 2007 20:15:42 GMT 1, it's a kind of government dis-incentive to try and stop us selling our all our good stuff to Johnny Foreigner in the first place...if we do we get punished when we want it back 
it's a kind of government dis-incentive to try and stop us selling our all our good stuff to Johnny Foreigner in the first place...if we do we get punished when we want it back |
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dmandpenfold
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Posts โข 2,466
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December 2006
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Customs and art prints, by dmandpenfold on May 11, 2007 20:18:43 GMT 1, If the prints are bought from the UK by someone outside the EU they should not pay VAT (or at least reclaim it). 17.5% on ยฃ650 is ยฃ113.75 or $225. They might have to pay an equivalent of VAT (Sales Tax) or duty when the prints arrive in their country. When such a print returns to the UK then the (original) VAT becomes due. I agree that if VAT has been paid once it shouldn't be paid again.
I know it doesnt say on the site, but how much VAT do the likes of POW charge us, and why dont they remove it if posting overseas?
If the prints are bought from the UK by someone outside the EU they should not pay VAT (or at least reclaim it). 17.5% on ยฃ650 is ยฃ113.75 or $225. They might have to pay an equivalent of VAT (Sales Tax) or duty when the prints arrive in their country. When such a print returns to the UK then the (original) VAT becomes due. I agree that if VAT has been paid once it shouldn't be paid again. I know it doesnt say on the site, but how much VAT do the likes of POW charge us, and why dont they remove it if posting overseas? |
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Customs and art prints, by Daniel Silk on May 11, 2007 20:27:33 GMT 1, When ever I have ordered anything from Faile in New York they send it over marked as GIFT and I have never been asked to pay anything extra ;D
When ever I have ordered anything from Faile in New York they send it over marked as GIFT and I have never been asked to pay anything extra ;D
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Customs and art prints, by arcam on May 11, 2007 21:30:29 GMT 1, When ever I have ordered anything from Faile in New York they send it over marked as GIFT and I have never been asked to pay anything extra ;D
Maybe that's something you shouldn't advertise? 
When ever I have ordered anything from Faile in New York they send it over marked as GIFT and I have never been asked to pay anything extra ;D Maybe that's something you shouldn't advertise? |
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Customs and art prints, by corblimeylimey on May 11, 2007 21:42:56 GMT 1, When ever I have ordered anything from Faile in New York they send it over marked as GIFT and I have never been asked to pay anything extra ;D
Yes, but have you noticed they put the value really low, under the gift limit, which is ยฃ36 ($70)
When ever I have ordered anything from Faile in New York they send it over marked as GIFT and I have never been asked to pay anything extra ;D Yes, but have you noticed they put the value really low, under the gift limit, which is ยฃ36 ($70) |
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Customs and art prints, by manchestermike on May 11, 2007 21:47:48 GMT 1, Ok... it's simple... but don't tell anyone...
Get them to send it you with insurance on the outside to the full value and put a low priced 'official' invoice inside i.e. ยฃ20 + postage? If the tax ask for money to the insurance tell them the high insurance was a mistake and to look at the 'official' invoice.
Get the real invoice sent under separate cover
Ok... it's simple... but don't tell anyone...
Get them to send it you with insurance on the outside to the full value and put a low priced 'official' invoice inside i.e. ยฃ20 + postage? If the tax ask for money to the insurance tell them the high insurance was a mistake and to look at the 'official' invoice.
Get the real invoice sent under separate cover
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Customs and art prints, by corblimeylimey on May 11, 2007 21:52:29 GMT 1, The simpler option would be to insure it for what it's worth, but ask them to fill out on the customs form gift at say ยฃ30 or equivelant.
When I posted something to the states the insurance automatically covered me to ยฃ500 and this wasn't displayed on the outside at all, trouble is making a false customs declaration is a crime.
The simpler option would be to insure it for what it's worth, but ask them to fill out on the customs form gift at say ยฃ30 or equivelant.
When I posted something to the states the insurance automatically covered me to ยฃ500 and this wasn't displayed on the outside at all, trouble is making a false customs declaration is a crime.
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dmandpenfold
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December 2006
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Customs and art prints, by dmandpenfold on May 11, 2007 23:35:13 GMT 1, tax management's a crime....?
tax management's a crime....? |
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pastiepie
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October 2006
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Customs and art prints, by pastiepie on May 12, 2007 7:56:10 GMT 1, Theoretically all orders from POW that go outside the EU should be devoid of VAT. But they're not so POW are actually lining their own pockets with the 17.5% markup as opposed to the taxman. Now I'd rather POW have the money than the government but really I'd rather keep it for myself as I'm legally entitled to.
Theoretically all orders from POW that go outside the EU should be devoid of VAT. But they're not so POW are actually lining their own pockets with the 17.5% markup as opposed to the taxman. Now I'd rather POW have the money than the government but really I'd rather keep it for myself as I'm legally entitled to.
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Octopus UK
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Posts โข 869
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February 2007
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Customs and art prints, by Octopus UK on May 12, 2007 8:24:21 GMT 1, I'd rather the Government had the money to pay teachers, doctors and police.
I'd rather the Government had the money to pay teachers, doctors and police.
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Customs and art prints, by mcnuts on May 12, 2007 9:06:39 GMT 1, I'd rather the Government had the money to pay teachers, doctors and police.
I'd rather the Government had the money to pay teachers, doctors and police. |
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dmandpenfold
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Posts โข 2,466
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December 2006
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Customs and art prints, by dmandpenfold on May 12, 2007 14:08:32 GMT 1, yeeeeaaaah and i'd rather the taxes we pay for driving in our horrible dirty polluting non greeny cars went on decent alternative forms of public transport, but at the moment i cant be arsed with the extra 2 hours of travel a day if i went by train and bus.... etc
yeeeeaaaah and i'd rather the taxes we pay for driving in our horrible dirty polluting non greeny cars went on decent alternative forms of public transport, but at the moment i cant be arsed with the extra 2 hours of travel a day if i went by train and bus.... etc |
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BongoBongo
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May 2007
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Customs and art prints, by BongoBongo on May 12, 2007 21:40:03 GMT 1, Cheers everyone, I'm gonna write to customs and see if I can persuade them that it falls into the 5% category, it's a Chiho Aoshima print so if they have any sense I won't stand a chance but maybe I'll get lucky.
Cheers everyone, I'm gonna write to customs and see if I can persuade them that it falls into the 5% category, it's a Chiho Aoshima print so if they have any sense I won't stand a chance but maybe I'll get lucky.
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dmandpenfold
Junior Member
Posts โข 2,466
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December 2006
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Customs and art prints, by dmandpenfold on May 13, 2007 11:31:39 GMT 1, Theoretically all orders from POW that go outside the EU should be devoid of VAT. But they're not so POW are actually lining their own pockets with the 17.5% markup as opposed to the taxman. Now I'd rather POW have the money than the government but really I'd rather keep it for myself as I'm legally entitled to.
out of interest isnt there some sort of legal position on charging VAT but not actually passing it onto the tax man, surely that is an offence of some sort....i find it a tad offensive
Theoretically all orders from POW that go outside the EU should be devoid of VAT. But they're not so POW are actually lining their own pockets with the 17.5% markup as opposed to the taxman. Now I'd rather POW have the money than the government but really I'd rather keep it for myself as I'm legally entitled to. out of interest isnt there some sort of legal position on charging VAT but not actually passing it onto the tax man, surely that is an offence of some sort....i find it a tad offensive |
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Customs and art prints, by corblimeylimey on May 13, 2007 12:29:12 GMT 1, Theoretically all orders from POW that go outside the EU should be devoid of VAT. But they're not so POW are actually lining their own pockets with the 17.5% markup as opposed to the taxman. Now I'd rather POW have the money than the government but really I'd rather keep it for myself as I'm legally entitled to. out of interest isnt there some sort of legal position on charging VAT but not actually passing it onto the tax man, surely that is an offence of some sort....i find it a tad offensive
As far as I'm aware your business needs to be set up for VAT free shopping for customers outside the EU, I've seen certain shops (particularly in London) that advertise they do VAT free, but I suspect there's lots of form filling, passport identification, signing etc that has to be done.
I'm sure for most businesses it's just easier to charge the VAT on everything, that doesn't mean they can keep it just because the goods are going out of the EU though.
Theoretically all orders from POW that go outside the EU should be devoid of VAT. But they're not so POW are actually lining their own pockets with the 17.5% markup as opposed to the taxman. Now I'd rather POW have the money than the government but really I'd rather keep it for myself as I'm legally entitled to. out of interest isnt there some sort of legal position on charging VAT but not actually passing it onto the tax man, surely that is an offence of some sort....i find it a tad offensive As far as I'm aware your business needs to be set up for VAT free shopping for customers outside the EU, I've seen certain shops (particularly in London) that advertise they do VAT free, but I suspect there's lots of form filling, passport identification, signing etc that has to be done. I'm sure for most businesses it's just easier to charge the VAT on everything, that doesn't mean they can keep it just because the goods are going out of the EU though. |
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wildbill
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January 2007
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Customs and art prints, by wildbill on May 13, 2007 22:14:52 GMT 1, So whats the deal on goods coming from the UK to the US?
I've never had to pay extra coming from POW, but if I purchase something that is insured to the full amount, do I need to worry about these extra fees as well, or does this only apply to goods coming into the UK?
So whats the deal on goods coming from the UK to the US?
I've never had to pay extra coming from POW, but if I purchase something that is insured to the full amount, do I need to worry about these extra fees as well, or does this only apply to goods coming into the UK?
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pastiepie
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October 2006
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Customs and art prints, by pastiepie on May 15, 2007 1:50:08 GMT 1, All countries have different customs/taxes. I'm not sure what it is in the US but in Australia you pay 10% GST on everything imported from overseas over the value of $1000. In the UK it is 17.5% on items over about ยฃ50 or so. Luckliy POW don't declare the value on their prints so I haven't paid any duty yet.
When you do it's a right old shitter. Customs fees / taxes / handling fees etc. Everybody wants a cut.
All countries have different customs/taxes. I'm not sure what it is in the US but in Australia you pay 10% GST on everything imported from overseas over the value of $1000. In the UK it is 17.5% on items over about ยฃ50 or so. Luckliy POW don't declare the value on their prints so I haven't paid any duty yet.
When you do it's a right old shitter. Customs fees / taxes / handling fees etc. Everybody wants a cut.
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