Import Duty/VAT on good from the EU?

OzyOly · 5 Feb 2011 at 18:00

Hi, I'm looking to base my MSc project on embedded systems (if I can find the £7k course fees) so wanted to buy an FPGA board, specifically the Spartan 3e starter kit that is used at my University.

It's about $140 in the US, but the only UK retailer I can find who sells it wants £360 for it! :eek:

I was going to import from the US but I remember last time I imported something I got stung by import charges/VAT (£20 item and ended up paying £20 charges at the post office) so I was thinking about the EU.

This shop wants €190 (£150 inc delivery) and they say that they'll be no import taxes.

Do any of you know if that's true? I've not imported something from the EU before so I'm very sketchy on this.

Thanks.

eatcustard · 5 Feb 2011 at 18:02

No import tax or vat from EU

OzyOly · 5 Feb 2011 at 18:10

eatcustard said:
No import tax or vat from EU

Awesome, shall order it now...then spend the next 6 months learning to programme it.

Greenlizard0 · 5 Feb 2011 at 18:19

eatcustard said:
No import tax or vat from EU

Yeap that's my understanding of it.

It's why e.g. here will have a lot of custom throughout the EU.

Might be talking codswallop but I'm pretty certain of that.

john_s · 8 Feb 2011 at 09:47

You'll pay the VAT in whichever EU country you order from (unless you are a VAT registered business), but then won't need to pay UK VAT.

There's no import tax payable for movement of goods within the EU.