tonyclaret Posted March 28, 2021 Share Posted March 28, 2021 Hi, this has probably been covered a million times. I just wondered if anything had changed sine we left EU. Looking at buying a Helix Stomp XL from Thomann as a lot cheaper than UK. Didnt want to be stung on any import tax. Thanks in advance Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ezbass Posted March 28, 2021 Share Posted March 28, 2021 (edited) There’s no ‘import tax’ as I understand it. However, you will have to pay 20% VAT if it’s over £135 (otherwise it’s added by the seller at source) and a lot of EU companies seem to be charging an additional admin fee to cover the extra paperwork they are now required to complete. You may also find yourself waiting for it to be delivered for longer than you expect (although some stuff seems to get through quickly). Edited March 28, 2021 by ezbass Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
warwickhunt Posted March 28, 2021 Share Posted March 28, 2021 Due to duty, handling fee, VAT blah blah blah, the rule of thumb is to add 25% to the purchase price (inc used items). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silvia Bluejay Posted March 28, 2021 Share Posted March 28, 2021 Hang on, when I was looking at some padded bags at Thomann, the price info said I'd have to add VAT separately, plus something like a tenner for the courier, and in my case, £8 for shipping because the total was under £99 or however much they have as a threshold. A £13 bag would end up costing around £30 by the time it gets to me. I won't be buying from Thomann for the foreseeable. (I absolutely don't blame them, of course, it's all self-inflicted by the UK.) 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Downunderwonder Posted March 28, 2021 Share Posted March 28, 2021 Order it from the UK Thomman site and it should be on autopilot for what you pay in GBP. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silvia Bluejay Posted March 28, 2021 Share Posted March 28, 2021 No, the above is what I saw on the UK Thomann site itself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fretmeister Posted March 28, 2021 Share Posted March 28, 2021 Since the self inflicted stupidity Thomann prices are all exclusive of Vat. It will either be charged in the checkout process by the vendor or it will charged on delivery by the courier. Partly depends on whether the vendor has registered with the U.K. government to collect vat for HMRC. Couriers will also charge you an admin fee. HMRC seem to be particularly checking stuff from the EU so the chances of it sneaking through seem to be far lower than from other places. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yorks5stringer Posted March 28, 2021 Share Posted March 28, 2021 Don't worry, since the Evergiven decided to block the Suez Canal nothing from the Far East will get through anyway.........! 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silvia Bluejay Posted March 28, 2021 Share Posted March 28, 2021 Instant cure for GAS - not worth buying from Europe, nothing can get here from the Far East, not worth buying from the US... 😉🙄 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave_bass5 Posted March 28, 2021 Share Posted March 28, 2021 (edited) Mate just brought a guitar from Thomann’s. Total price worked out the same as from Andertons, inc all charges. Should add, that was last week. I’m not sure if there is a bill coming for the delivery side. Edited March 28, 2021 by dave_bass5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jezzaboy Posted March 28, 2021 Share Posted March 28, 2021 If it is under £135 in total, which includes vat and the shipping cost, then Thomman will take the payment and sort it out the vat themselves. I know this as I bought a cheap P bass and it works out to £63 for the bass £8 for delivery £13.93 vat A total of £83.60 If it`s over that £135 in total, you will pay the price on the site and UPS will charge you the vat and a fee. I`m not sure how UPS bill you the vat and fees as I haven`t bought anything above the £135 threshold. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave_bass5 Posted March 28, 2021 Share Posted March 28, 2021 Just asked him. He paid £466 (without vat). He did get a bill from UPS and had to pay £120 on top. Andertons sell this for £599 (not in stock). Still cheaper. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jrixn1 Posted March 28, 2021 Share Posted March 28, 2021 2 hours ago, tonyclaret said: Looking at buying a Helix Stomp XL from Thomann as a lot cheaper than UK. Didnt want to be stung on any import tax. One thing to bear in mind is if you need to return it (either because it's faulty or you just change your mind), it sounds like a real headache, unclear process, lots of forms to fill in. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jezzaboy Posted March 28, 2021 Share Posted March 28, 2021 3 hours ago, jrixn1 said: One thing to bear in mind is if you need to return it (either because it's faulty or you just change your mind), it sounds like a real headache, unclear process, lots of forms to fill in. Spot on. I was going to return some bits and pieces that they delivered in January after tell me that I wouldn`t be getting them. You have to fill in some kind of customs declaration and I don`t think you can claim back the vat? It was too much hassle so make sure before placing an order that you really want it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Downunderwonder Posted March 28, 2021 Share Posted March 28, 2021 5 hours ago, jezzaboy said: make sure before placing an order that you really want it. This may give a boost to local music stores. I expect there's enough UK based online music retailing that it should remain competitive on its own without needing EU sellers in the mix. Then the only difference in pricing would be any difference in UK and EU VAT rates. Where it could get sticky is the fragmentation of international warranty service for US brands. Still the UK is a pretty big market by itself. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave_bass5 Posted March 28, 2021 Share Posted March 28, 2021 Might also mean some people make more of an effort with their ‘best ive ever owned’ new purchases 😂 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 28, 2021 Share Posted March 28, 2021 In fact currently, it appears you’re very unlikely to get the VAT back if you return for a refund, at least until July, when some of the regs get clarified. You may also struggle with warranty. I had an issue and manufacturer would only address it if I returned the whole bass to the retailer. And exporting and reimporting for repair to the EU is very likely to be costly and extremely time consuming at the moment. If it arrives, is cheaper and no issues, then happy days. If not... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cosmo Valdemar Posted March 28, 2021 Share Posted March 28, 2021 11 hours ago, jrixn1 said: One thing to bear in mind is if you need to return it (either because it's faulty or you just change your mind), it sounds like a real headache, unclear process, lots of forms to fill in. I recently had to return an item to DV247 in Germany (I didn't know it was coming from Germany when I bought it). There was a pain in the derrière customs declaration form to fill in - to their credit, DV247 provided detailed instructions as to what info needed to go where. Without that I wouldn't have had a clue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProfJames Posted March 30, 2021 Share Posted March 30, 2021 The effect this Brexit deal has had is that prices of second hand eqipment will rise, obviously. Is there one country that we can source from where we don't pay a levy now? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Downunderwonder Posted March 30, 2021 Share Posted March 30, 2021 I realise this is a big stretch but for high value items it may be relevant. Export of EU used equipment should qualify the exporter for a pro rata refund of the local VAT that is embodied. The paperwork should be the similar as for return of repaired gear. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProfJames Posted March 30, 2021 Share Posted March 30, 2021 2 minutes ago, Downunderwonder said: I realise this is a big stretch but for high value items it may be relevant. Export of EU used equipment should qualify the exporter for a pro rata refund of the local VAT that is embodied. The paperwork should be the similar as for return of repaired gear. You probably have t be registered for VAT in that country for that rule to apply........ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Downunderwonder Posted March 30, 2021 Share Posted March 30, 2021 15 minutes ago, ProfJames said: You probably have t be registered for VAT in that country for that rule to apply........ In NZ any citizen can do the paperwork as far as I know. It is called a 'drawback'. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProfJames Posted March 30, 2021 Share Posted March 30, 2021 35 minutes ago, Downunderwonder said: In NZ any citizen can do the paperwork as far as I know. It is called a 'drawback'. May not apply in the UK.............. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Downunderwonder Posted March 30, 2021 Share Posted March 30, 2021 32 minutes ago, ProfJames said: May not apply in the UK.............. Only relevant to the EU, for UK based importers! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProfJames Posted March 30, 2021 Share Posted March 30, 2021 48 minutes ago, Downunderwonder said: Only relevant to the EU, for UK based importers! Need to have a business set up, registered for VAT.......... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.