Importing used parts from EU

[karatemaserati]

Anyone got any experience on this and know the rules/what I'm gonna get stung??

Seen a set of dbs dampers for my db9 in Germany from a private seller... Wants 1000e for them which is a good price.

Thanks for any help

 

[Ewan]

There’s no duty on goods sold between the U.K. and the EU if they originate from there. So you should be fine.

 

[midlifecrisis]

Probably best to speak to a courier, they can advise. Since they are used parts, (make sure you mention this!) VAT has already been paid on them. You could always mark them down as a 'gift'...

 

[Gooner]

If the parts and the seller are in Germany, and you are in the UK, you will have to pay VAT on the whole value. The only exception would be if the seller in Germany was a business that had registered with the UK government for VAT, but you said they are a private individual so this won’t apply.

In practice, most likely the courier will send you a bill for the VAT to pay, which they pass on to the UK government. They will also charge an admin fee for doing this. If you buy through a platform like eBay, they are required to make sure the VAT is collected.

The fact the goods are second hand or the VAT has already been paid in Germany makes no difference, unless the seller is registered with the UK govt for VAT.

You can ask the seller to put misleading information on the label. That would be illegal and could delay your shipment arriving as some goods are inspected if the values seem implausible.

I’m not a tax expert but I have bought second hand high value goods from within the EU and elsewhere and this is generally what happens.

I’ve also bought goods from larger EU companies that are registered for VAT with the UK govt and the process is much simpler, no additional VAT to pay and no delays in shipping.

Duty is different from VAT and rarely payable on most goods that are imported. It’s the VAT that costs extra.

I found this reference hard to read but does have some helpful information.

Changes to VAT treatment of overseas goods sold to customers from 1 January 2021

www.gov.uk

 

[davy83]

I can only agree with Gooner, you will be charged VAT on enty into the UK. I import used throttle bodies from Europe all the time and mostly have to pay VAT on import. Same shipping into Europe they add VAT and often "import duties" on import into Europe. There is no VAT treaty between UK and Europe so no way to get round it other than declaring the value low, or pretending its a gift or a sample all fairly dodgy propositions.

 

[RichTaps]

Essentially I’ve found that anything over about £150 purchased from the EU is now 20% more as DHL (or whoever) will send you an invoice for the VAT!

Thanks to those people who thought it a great idea to vote for brexit. Lol.

 

[davy83]

Sorry should have also said that check with the courier shipping the parts they will handle this. I use DHL Express and they are pretty switched on. Use a door to door courier and don't be tempted by the cheaper postal options as these are still occasionally getting lost in customs, because there is no dedicated agent to handle customs at the border.

 

[karatemaserati]

ah cool thanks, might aswell use it as an excuse to go on a lil holibob to germany to pick them up then.

also they are Aston martin and billstien which are germany so at some point surely VAT was paid in both countries??

 

[Gooner]

ah cool thanks, might aswell use it as an excuse to go on a lil holibob to germany to pick them up then.

also they are Aston martin and billstien which are germany so at some point surely VAT was paid in both countries??

Assuming they were bought new in Germany, German VAT would have been paid by the buyer in Germany.

We do have an agreement covering VAT for the exports from the EU to the UK, it just requires the exporter to register with the UK govt to avoid UK VAT being due. Easy for big businesses, a non-starter for a private seller.

BTW if you travel to Germany to pick them up yourself the VAT is still due and you are supposed to declare the goods when you arrive back in the UK.

 

[HTAFC4200]

Surely that only applies when you exceed your UK customs limit of £340 (or so)?

Obviously the poster would be in this case.

 

[Gooner]

If you are bringing in the goods yourself then yes, it can be different.

Bringing goods into the UK for personal use

Bringing in goods for personal use when you travel to the UK from abroad - types of tax and duty, duty free, EU and non-EU arrivals, banned and restricted goods.

www.gov.uk

Like I said, I’m not an expert, just reflecting my experience of buying expensive things from EU and other countries and having them shipped over.