Any recent experience of importing boat spares from Europe, duty payable etc

[Skylark]

As per title, has anyone imported boat spares from Europe this year?

Google suggests that goods will attract Duty at a rate from 0 to 25%, depending upon category, then VAT at 20% on cost + Duty, then Courier Customers Clearance fee, typically around £10-15.

Is the European price free of VAT?

Does anyone have any direct experience and care to share? Many thanks.

 

[matt1]

I made the mistake of ordering some parts from Germany late December, which arrived January. From memory it was about £200 worth of stuff. I paid German VAT as I ordered before Brexit and then a UK charge (iirc somewhere around 25%) as the goods arrived Jan. these were small electrical and deck hardware items. The charge was collected by DHL and done online so not easy for me to now find the details I’m afraid.

 

[matt1]

This thread may be of interest

Brexit and replacement parts from Germany

 

[Skylark]

Not looking good. I need a £700 part from France. Not sure if the price includes French VAT and I don't know the duty tariff for boat spares (wouldn't be surprised if such "luxury goods" don't attract the highest rate). I clearly need more info before I commit to buy. It's a warranty/goodwill gesture by the manufacturer so can't buy from UK Dealer.

 

[matt1]

My understanding, but am no expert, is that you only pay vat in the UK now ….but I could be wrong. If it’s part goodwill surely the dealer must have some experience / knowledge - they must be bringing parts in all the time?

 

[Skylark]

My understanding, but am no expert, is that you only pay vat in the UK now ….but I could be wrong. If it’s part goodwill surely the dealer must have some experience / knowledge - they must be bringing parts in all the time?

Not had the opportunity to talk to them yet. That's a job for today. I'm trying to seek others' experience before doing so. It's all very new and looks like there's a lot of additional links in the chain, all wanting their +20% . These forums are usually good for sage advice. Many thanks.

I'd like the transaction to be up-front transparent as my credit card doesn't like surprises.

 

[Tranona]

Yes, with the new rules, goods under £150 the supplier pays VAT and accounts for it to the destination country. The system is not up and running properly so many suppliers reluctant to ship small value items. Goods over that are shipped VAT free and it is collected (along with duty, although most items don't have duty, by the carrier from the consingee. This change is not directly related to Brexit, having been in the pipiline since 2013, but implemented in the UK early to coincide with Brexit. Think it comes in EU wide in July.

 

[Easticks28]

This thread may be of interest

Brexit and replacement parts from Germany

Not the 'B' word Not allowed anywhere here now !

 

[john_morris_uk]

I’ve just picked up some bits from a Marine wholesale outlet. The woman said they’re having huge problems importing stock from France. “They just won’t even speak to us.” were her exact words. She added that Germany was a bit better but still challenging.

 

[Koeketiene]

I’ve just picked up some bits from a Marine wholesale outlet. The woman said they’re having huge problems importing stock from France. “They just won’t even speak to us.” were her exact words. She added that Germany was a bit better but still challenging.

Few (if any) EU suppliers are willing to deal with the red tape involved in supplying EU VAT free to the UK.
This in effect means that as an UK resident you would pay both EU and UK VAT.
Likewise, quite a few UK suppliers have stopped shipping to the EU.
I would like to express my gratitude to Darglow, who were willing to ship anodes and some prop spare parts to France.

 

[chris-s]

Anybody tried a 'european mail forwarding' service? We used one a few years back to get a part which was only available on a German website and they would not ship outside of Germany.

 

[dgadee]

Not looking good. I need a £700 part from France. Not sure if the price includes French VAT and I don't know the duty tariff for boat spares (wouldn't be surprised if such "luxury goods" don't attract the highest rate). I clearly need more info before I commit to buy. It's a warranty/goodwill gesture by the manufacturer so can't buy from UK Dealer.

Have you got a friend in NI?

 

[Skylark]

Have you got a friend in NI?

Possibly...................how would this help?

 

[dgadee]

Possibly...................how would this help?

From the point of view of custome, we in NI are in the EU. We can receive and send goods at will. We can also send and receive goods to the UK with no VAT payable.

Johnson's border down the Irish Sea has some flaws in it to our benefit. Not everyone here is happy of course - Portavogie has been painting kerbstones red, white and blue again.

 

[Skylark]

From the point of view of custome, we in NI are in the EU. We can receive and send goods at will. We can also send and receive goods to the UK with no VAT payable.

Johnson's border down the Irish Sea has some flaws in it to our benefit. Not everyone here is happy of course - Portavogie has been painting kerbstones red, white and blue again.

That's potentially helpful to know, thank you. I'm still waiting to hear from the UK Dealer with their proposal. It's certainly no longer "seamless and free of additional burden" with our nearest neighbour ?.

 

[Koeketiene]

From the point of view of custome, we in NI are in the EU. We can receive and send goods at will. We can also send and receive goods to the UK with no VAT payable.

Companies have caught on to this.
Received several parcels ordered on amazon.co.uk in France posted from NI.

 

[dgadee]

Companies have caught on to this.
Received several parcels ordered on amazon.co.uk in France posted from NI.

Well, I hope something of benefit comes from a watery border for NI. I am just moving away to Scotland, though and unfortunately have a pile of stuff on which VAT would charged if it was from GB to take over to Greece. I may have to leave it here, then come back and fly off from Dublin.

 

[MikeCC]

Duty is payable on goods from EU if their origin is outside EU. If an EU distributor imports from China then exports to GB, we are effectively paying double duty. Country of origin is determined by where the last significant work was done on the product. A product assembled in EU from non-EU parts may not be dutiable in GB.

Otherwise only VAT is payable plus the inevitable handling charge by carriers, which can be disproportionate for modest value items.