VAT is the way we are going to collect it.

Already there are moans from buyers, "they have charged me VAT!"

ebay have now rolled into the mix, implementing the 1st January 21 VAT rules for UK buyers, and EU. As  I mentioned at the start of writing this thread, they will nail it at source at the time of purchase:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/help/listings/default/vat-obligations-eu?id=4650

Where this leaves the likes of Aliexpress, Banggood and individual traders from China and the rest of the world not registered, I guess HMRC rules in Notice 143 will click into place?

VAT we are confused, but even they are confused?

 Even companies exporting to the UK are now caught up in the confusing VAT debacle ..

The BBC are now picking up on the story: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-55530721

Why wasn't a transition period put in place for all this, allowing a smooth change over?

Your confused, I am confused. Standby for the next exciting episode...

The UK VAT grab that was impossible to enforce?

 

Good news!!

 

No VAT at all on imports under a certain value.

Rules changed AGAIN a few days ago.

New Notice 143:

Section 2.3 https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/notice-143-a-guide-for-international-post-users/notice-143-a-guide-for-international-post-users

£0.01 to £135 No Customs Duty
No Import VAT

It was gonna be impossible to enforce the collection this end, because who and how the hell would you check all those packets?

 

So how could they check the VAT had been paid with Chinese, US and Rest of World goods ?

 

Did the UK suddenly have a Million new inspectors at the ports, or the Royal Mail was geared up ready and waiting to cope with collection, or to deal with appeals over mistakes ?

Explains why nothing happened on ebay on 1st January that adds VAT to the listings for auto collection at the time you paid..

 

Yes certainly all very confusing, but it appears we can all breath again!