VAT on Bee Suits

[Hachi]

I ordered a Ultrabreeze bee smock and veil from ultrabreeze in the USA. They have given me a tracking number which I have been reviewing regularly.

The latest update says my package is:

Payment of charges - Item being held, addressee being notified
Your item could not be delivered on April 26, 2014 at 9:33 am in UNITED KINGDOM due to payment of charges. It is being held while the addressee is notified.

I thought clothing was zero rated for VAT?

If I have to pay VAT, import duty and 8% handling charges this will add close to an additional 40% to the cost of the smock.

Is there anyone on here have first hand direct knowledge of how the VAT on clothing works?

Thanks

 

[thebhoy]

You usually get hit for import duties on goods over a certain value and shipping price, then charged VAT on this, that has been my experience in the past.

 

[Hivemaker.]

I thought clothing was zero rated for VAT?

If I have to pay VAT, import duty and 8% handling charges this will add close to an additional 40% to the cost of the smock.

Looks very similar to what Mann Lake UK sell, no VAT on them, plus free delivery.

 

[enrico]

Without wishing to done rude, what's wrong with buying British?
E

 

[Hachi]

You usually get hit for import duties on goods over a certain value and shipping price, then charged VAT on this, that has been my experience in the past.

Thanks. It has been mine importing goods for years from all parts of the globe. My question relates directly to clothing and VAT.

 

[Hachi]

Looks very similar to what Mann Lake UK sell, no VAT on them, plus free delivery.

Didn't know about them HM. Maybe next time.

 

[Hachi]

Without wishing to done rude, what's wrong with buying British?
E

Never thought of you as ever rude Enrico your in safe hands here.

I've got various suits and smocks from various UK manufacturers at various prices all of them have some sort of sizing challenge that you would not expect and until now I've made do.

They centre on size, one the veil is very small and you cannot keep the veil from touching your face, one bought recently has the round wire veil which is ok but the part where its supposed to sit on your head like a baseball cap is only big enough if your a borrower, even friends who have tried it think its laughable.

Of those who have met me know I'll never make the cat walk now and for room in the suit I have bought them that should have had plenty of room and don't. I was once told when buying tailormade shirts to find a manf whose collar size fitted correctly and stick to procuring that brand as "their cut" suited you. Hence why you buy an alternative brand in the same size they dont fit or are tighter.

So what, I've found the suits and smocks I've bought from UK suppliers to vary in size considerably and the quality is only ok.

I thought I'd treat myself to a well made well fitted smock from a company that has excellent reviews and if it doesn't then it will go back and I'll get a full refund.

Do you know about VAT?

 

[Hivemaker.]

Do you know about VAT?

Don't think there would be VAT on the clothing, but there will be on the shipping cost.

 

[BeeJayBee]

I've never understood why the cost of postage, paid in another country, attracts VAT for the recipient here in UK.

 

[Hivemaker.]

I've never understood why the cost of postage, paid in another country, attracts VAT for the recipient here in UK.

I understand it, it's our governments way of screwing more money out of people.

 

[wightbees]

Import duty for clothing is between 3.7 and 12 %
probably then add shipping cost
Just looked it up on some duty website.

and this >

calculation is as follows
cost of goods plus shipping = final invoice value
final invoice value plus approx 12% import duty = subtotal
vat at 17.5% for adults clothing based on value of subtotal.

 

[Alabamaeee]

And about 10 quid for the privilege of Parcel Force delivery!

 

[Norton]

VAT and duty is on full CIF amount.

 

[Mellifera397]

I understand it, it's our governments way of screwing more money out of people.

I think the aim is probably more to do with discouraging imports rather than actively screwing us over.

M

 

[oliver90owner]

Only children's clothes are VAT free.

 

[sipa]

Don't forget the possibility of higher duty tariffs due to the use of protectionist policies called anti-dumping duty.

Not sure but it might apply to clothing, Anti dumping tarrifs can come and go quickly or be in place for years and the rate can be low or punative

 

[madasafish]

UKIP will solve the problem once we leave the EC.

Err

 

[thorn]

I've been looking at bee suits from the two most frequently recommended suppliers in the UK. Both show a price on the website, then when you fill the order form in add VAT. So the Revenue will get you whether you import or buy in the UK.

 

[thorn]

I do them an injustice. Only one of them shows one price on the first page, and an increased price when you fill in the order form.

 

[theeggman]

At least one of the major UK suppliers gives a 20% discount to BBKA members, I believe the other does as well but not used them so can't be sure.