ZOMG I've just realised I pay no VAT...

benjo · 18 Jan 2009 at 17:52

So in theory, If i were to remote desktop into a system based in Switzerland, and buy a rig delivered to my UK address, I could be saving a lot of money?

willhub · 18 Jan 2009 at 17:53

No fair

benjo said:
So in theory, If i were to remote desktop into a system based in Switzerland, and buy a rig delivered to my UK address, I could be saving a lot of money?

I'm pretty sure that is illegal.

Cosimo · 18 Jan 2009 at 17:53

So, how is life now, are you going to become a national?

sigma · 18 Jan 2009 at 17:53

Greenlizard0 · 18 Jan 2009 at 17:53

I very much doubt (as things stand) that Switzerland will ever join the EU, they'd have nothing to gain from it.

Is it true that in order to move there, they put a photo of you in a public spot, and if anybody doesn't like the look of you, they can let it be known?

mjt · 18 Jan 2009 at 17:54

Richdog said:
Just logged onto the OCUK website and indeed my hopes have been realised and yup... VAT was taken away for me, never to be returned (at least until Swiss join the EU). I presume this applies to all other UK/EU stores I shop in too.

GET IN!

well of course, why would you be liable to UK VAT?
you will, however, be expected to pay VAT in switzerland, depending on the value of the goods.
i live in norway, and a mate ordered a snowboard from germany. he didn't have to pay VAT in germany, but did when he picked it up from the post office here

MWST or TVA in switzerland is 7.6%, so this is how much you would be expected to pay.
quite what VAT and being in the EU have to do with each other, i'm not so sure..

every country (bar a few states in the US, and silly tax havens) have some form of sales tax. the EU is a customs union and therefore you pay the VAT in the country in which the item was purchased if ordering within the EU. if you are going out of the EU customs union, and into another country then the sales tax in the delivery country will be paid.
it works the same way if you're orering from outside the EU to an EU address..

Dave M · 18 Jan 2009 at 17:55

VAT is charged on the delivery address, not your IP

And if you did live in Switzerland and have it delivered you'd probably end up paying tax + duty by customs.

Voltar · 18 Jan 2009 at 17:56

Nice. No VAT must be sweet

But, does that make stuff out there that bit more expensive or is it cheaper would you say OP?

Marky · 18 Jan 2009 at 17:56

BRB off to Swiss-lan'

benjo · 18 Jan 2009 at 17:56

Telescopi said:
VAT is charged on the delivery address, not your IP

Ah. Knew it wouldnt be that easy

Richdog · 18 Jan 2009 at 17:58

mjt · 18 Jan 2009 at 18:03

Greenlizard0 said:
Is it true that in order to move there, they put a photo of you in a public spot, and if anybody doesn't like the look of you, they can let it be known?

this is only the case for refugees and asylum seekers looking to get swiss nationality. i believe in some cantons (or maybe it's a national thing), the local community decides whether to accept the application or not.