Telephone orders & VAT

Rob_Webb

Rob_Webb

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I'm seriously close to buying a Garmin chartplotter over the phone from a major UK chandlery who is willing to ship it out to me here in New Zealand. The price differential makes it majorly attractive even at full retail price.

But I'm thinking that maybe I should also not have to pay UK VAT because the goods are leaving the country immediately & permanently? Isn't it rather like buying duty free electronics at Heathrow and then flying out?

But whilst Mr Store Manager is very friendly & helpful he insists I will still have to pay VAT unless I can supply evidence of being a business and supplying a VAT number (I'm not).

Is he confused or am I confused or what?

Any help on how to go about this much appreciated!

Cheers
Rob

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He only needs your VAT number if you are in the EU and wanting VAT free goods. I check any numbers offered to me this way on the EU VAT number listings as I've been caught out before. Outside the EU of course you can buy tax free.

He has to be able to provide proof of export to the UK tax authorities, I assume that my Parcel Force International docket will be enough for this but I haven't asked!! A fool proof way would be to export via a UK freight forwarder but unless he is selling you several high value items this will not be economic.

Sorry I can't help, I don't sell GPS!

<hr width=100% size=1>John
http://www.on-line-marine.com
 
John is correct, if orders are being shipped out of the EEC you should NOT have to pay our VAT. You will however have to pay your local duties/taxes upon entry into your country. The only way around this is if the goods are personal effects and you have owned/used them for over 6 months - this is UK legislation for import here and your's is probably similar.

RE: Parcel Force receipts, these will suffice for your VAT records John.

If you ever need anything of large size/weight shipped then you may PM me as I'm a freight forwarder.



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Re: A final thought..

If you are buying from the UK ask for the shipping to be done by Royal Maul (stet) or Parcel Farce. My US customers almost always receive their goods from me without paying any local duty, I guess because post offices the world over are not too efficient and don't bother. On the other hand commercial operators like DHL are tasked with tax collection as part of their duties.

It may take longer but may be cheaper in the long ruin. (This was a typo but I liked the look of it as it was).

<hr width=100% size=1>John
http://www.on-line-marine.com
 
Better off buying a C-Map chart plotter than garmin who will leave you high and dry as soon as they change their format again (try getting a replacement ctg for the last version and you will see what I mean). At least C-Map still support previous versions.
Personnally I like the Navman 5500 (which is a NZ company anyway) which might even be cheaper from NZ, If not they are certainly a lot cheaper from the states. Good price from <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.starmarinedepot.com/Navman+5500i+Tracker+Internal+Antenna.html>here</A>


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Not too sure... but when taking UK bought kit out of the EC I have had to pay VAT and reclaim using a form from HM Customs and Excise. This was to take gear through Heathrow to Cyprus. All the business was done at the Customs office at the airport, so I don't know how it would be done remotely. Suggest a question to Customs.


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Mmmm, that's an interesting point, must admit I had felt pretty safe with either Garmin or Raymarine goods but now you mention it I have heard recent problems with updates. Which kind of puts me back to square one i.e. what's the best all-round GPS Chartplotter for me right now - ideally not a tiny screen (8-10" diagonal appeals), option of flush mount or bracket mount, good cartography of NZ and good usability and future-proofing? Budget c. £1,500 (NZD$4,000)?

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You might want to try asking UK Customs & Excise <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.hmce.gov.uk/>here </A>they migh be able to help (then again, if it means them getting less dosh perhaps not....)

Tony C.

<hr width=100% size=1>Eagles may soar, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines.......
 
If I had the space and the money, it would have been the <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.starmarinedepot.com/Navman+5600+Tracker+6.4+Inch+Color+External+Antenna.html>Navman 5600</A>. only 6 1/4" screen, but ample for normal navigation. Planning is better done on a much larger screen (= laptop + 17" widescreen)) anyway . Normal Nav I have been quite happy with the smaller 5 1/4" Navman 5500, but the 5600 is nicer. (Note that price on this link does not include the aerial)

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Several companies at SIBS were doing a show special of the 5500i with a free Wide chart for £525.

I was sorely tempted as it looked a great piece of kit but standing rigging needs changing this winter (rats!)


<hr width=100% size=1><font color=blue>Gavin </font color=blue>
 
I bought mine in Florida for dollars/pounds cost and was treated well by customs on my way through(still had to pay some) Best bit of kit I have bought for the boat.

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Mr Store Manager has definitely got it wrong. If he is implying that he would sell to a UK VAT registered company without charging VAT then he is going to have some serious explaining to do to the VAT man! Tell him to get some advise from the local VAT office, they'll tell him how to sort out your problem.

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Rob
This is a case of the store manager only selling to Uk customers, so doesn't know the system.

Providing he can supply proof that the goods were exported he doesn't (can't) charge VAT on them.

If he goes to the Post Office he will have to get a form as proof of postage and on it will be your NZ address, contents of package and approx value for customs purposes this is then stamped by the PO and thats his proof that he exported the goods....end of story.

If he insists on charging vat, go to another more enlightened supplier.

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