If you are importing goods to the UK from specific regions of the world then you’ll have to pay import vat whenever you import goods from eu special territories or even from non eu countries. This tax is collected by the hmrc vat department or the hm revenue and customs department at the port or airport itself and also the goods are then subject to local sales vat rules.
The hmrc has provided for 14,000 classifications of products and services which are subject to customs duties, excise duties and import vat. Most alcohol and cigarettes and tobacco products vatcheck.com along with certain activities like gambling are governed by excise duties while almost all other imports fall under customs duties and import vat according to the goods and the country from which they arrive.
The hmrc has specified eu special territories where import vat will be levied if services or goods are brought in or delivered to such territories. They are The French Overseas Departments of Guadeloupe, The Canary Islands in Spain, The Aland Islands in Finland, French Guiana, Mount Athos and Reunion and Martinique in Greece, and also the Channel Islands in the United Kingdom. This vat will also be levied whenever you import goods from non eu countries.
However, if you’re a vat registered trader in the United Kingdom then you can make application for a vat refund when you have already paid vat on any goods in the nation of origin itself before being imported to the UK. You may also offset this vat against sales vat if the goods that you have imported are sold in the local UK market. Countries such as the UK and Italy offer special vat deferment schemes where one can get relief from import vat for up to a month by filing out a special vat form with the hmrc and opening of an special vat deferment account with them. This move would help protect your cash flow.
When you start selling your services or goods from your market then you’ll also need to charge any local sales vat rate to the clients. You will have to make vat invoices that specifically mention vat rates as well as file regular vat returns. If you have problem in understanding various duties and taxes imposed by the hmrc then you definately should engage the services of a proficient vat and customs agent. This may allow you to focus on expanding your business while all relevant paperwork and payment of taxes and duties is handled in an efficient manner.
The import vat rates are the same as sales vat rates of similar products available in the United Kingdom. The UK has 3 vat rate slabs. The very first is the normal vat rate of 17.5% which is slated to go up to 20% from January 4, 2011. Second is the reduced vat rate of 5% whilst the third is zero vat rate. There are also certain goods and services which are totally exempt from the vat.
You ought to have sufficient knowledge on various duties and taxes applicable on imported goods to the UK to enable you to calculate the charges with an accurate basis. You should employ all legal avenues to reduce your costs like vat refunds, vat deferments, etc so that you can lower your costs further and improve the income of your business. You should diligently pay import vat whenever you import goods from eu special territories or from non eu countries and employ the expertise of a competent vat agent to claim additional vat back.