VAT Paid Twice

Hi there, I recently bought a product in the EU for import to the UK. When it was being delivered, I needed to pay import VAT. However, I had already paid for the VAT at the time of the sale, meaning I had paid for the VAT 2 times. Is this normal? I couldn't find anything online. Thanks

Hi I am basing my answers assuming you are not a UK VAT registered business. VAT is country specific so The EU VAT paid will be to the specific EU country authorities and the import VAT to the UK authorities. Neither takes any consideration of the other. It may be possible that the EU exporter can zero rate the VAT for export. This is at their discretion as they need to prove to their authorities that the goods have definitely been exported. Import VAT will be charged on entry to the UK.

Hi,

If you import goods in to the UK then the product would incur import VAT when the goods arrive which is quite normal.

There are arrangements in certain member states where you could recover the member state VAT charged and this would be a voluntary system operated by the seller in the EU. However, this would be the case if you bought the goods in person and you brought the goods back yourself.

If the supplier exported the goods to the UK then they shouldn't have charged you VAT as this would have been an export.

We would recommend speaking to the supplier as any refund would have to come from them.

Thank you.

Ah, good ol' brexit. The gift that just keeps on taking.