Purchasing from UK - pros / cons

P

P Franco

Active member
Has anyone bought a guitar from the UK recently (post Brexit)?  I’m considering buying a guitar from a UK music store and am trying to figure out how to not pay VAT (British Value Added Tax) since the item will be shipped to the USA.  I don’t want to end up paying US taxes on top of VAT and anything else Customs might try to add (I’ve been quoted (£125 shipping insured)
 

Is buying from the UK and shipping to the USA a worthwhile option, or might it be a losing proposition?

Thanks in advance. 

 
If the shop has a tax license then they should deduct the VAT from the price. You can easily check if they have a tax license, as it will be displayed on the website. 

If they aren’t registered to collect VAT then they aren’t charging it and there’s nothing to deduct. 
 

If they don’t, or refuse to deduct VAT and they are registered to collect then they are acting dodgy and should be avoided. 
 

If you tell me the shop name, I can check for you if you like.

 
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P Franco said:
Has anyone bought a guitar from the UK recently (post Brexit)?  I’m considering buying a guitar from a UK music store and am trying to figure out how to not pay VAT (British Value Added Tax) since the item will be shipped to the USA.  I don’t want to end up paying US taxes on top of VAT and anything else Customs might try to add (I’ve been quoted (£125 shipping insured)
 

Is buying from the UK and shipping to the USA a worthwhile option, or might it be a losing proposition?

Thanks in advance. 
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I bought from Anderton's in the UK and I didn't pay any VAT, but I live in Canada.  

 
I buy effect pedal kits from Fuzzdog all the time. VAT doesn’t show up on checkout. Shipping is a bit high, but the kits are easy and quite nice.

I bought a guitar from Germany though Reverb. No added taxes for International purchase. Guitar was under a grand though. That may figure in.

 
cmatthes said:
I have NEVER had a single issue buying from the UK.  Most recently, last month.
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Good to hear this. How were you able to make sure that you were not charged VAT?  Did you have to discuss it with the Vendor prior to paying? Or are there forms that you had to submit afterwards for a refund?

I ask since most of the UK sites if not all display a price that includes the VAT.

 
P Franco said:
Good to hear this. How were you able to make sure that you were not charged VAT?  Did you have to discuss it with the Vendor prior to paying? Or are there forms that you had to submit afterwards for a refund?

I ask since most of the UK sites if not all display a price that includes the VAT.
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Answered above, second post

 
P Franco said:
Good to hear this. How were you able to make sure that you were not charged VAT?  Did you have to discuss it with the Vendor prior to paying? Or are there forms that you had to submit afterwards for a refund?

I ask since most of the UK sites if not all display a price that includes the VAT.
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Speaking for myself, I see the price with VAT in my cart until I actually go to pay for it, and once I start the payment process, and the site factors in my shipping address, then I see the discounted price. 

 
VAT is not required on goods exported from the UK to the US.  It's the seller's responsibility to "zero rate" the transaction for tax reporting.  As long as the seller knows what they are doing, you won't be charged. You certainly won't receive a post-sale invoice from any taxing authority.   If you do, it's a scam.

 
This kind of thread is why I love this place.  I learn things from my knowledgeable friends.  

 
A few things I've noticed looking for and buying Hamers from across the world:

  • UK prices tend to be a fair bit higher than the US or Japan.
  • Mainland Europe occasionally have some bargains to be found (same as everywhere though) - but tends to be similar to the UK.
  • Importing into the UK attracts around 25% in (additional costs VAT and import duty) on top of item price AND shipping - and this is the calculation I do when considering buying from outside the UK to work out if something represents good value
  • I believe if you are buying a US made item from outside the US and importing into the US - that you guys do not pay Customs/VAT etc - alright for some eh?
  • Whenever I can - I like to arrange reverse shipping - using a UK based international courier broker like Transglobal Express to pick up an item from say the US, and transport it to me in the UK - it's almost always less expensive that USPS for example or my seller arranging transport. https://www.transglobalexpress.co.uk/
  • I tend to buy insurance for the item in transit from Secursus - again les expensive than buying insurance from the courier themselves. https://www.secursus.com/

Hope thats of some help?

Cheers,

Ben.

 
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