VAT Payment

What is VAT?

VAT is a consumer tax imposed on goods and services by all 15 member states of the European Union and Switzerland, Iceland, Norway and Hungary. In Europe VAT rates vary from country to country and from item to item but are usually around 17-20%, the VAT rate in the UK, where most sites in this directory are located, is 17.5%

Outside the EEC.....Deduct 15% from the posted Prices

If you are resident outside the EEC you should not be liable for VAT on goods bought in the UK and other member states of the EEC. Most goods found at European websites in this directory will include VAT, so when you want to make a purchase, enquire at the site about VAT exemption ....it will make a sizeable difference to the price you will have to pay!! In fact you can normally expect to deduct 15% of the price advertised as posted prices will almost always include VAT. US residents can import up to $200 worth of goods before having to pay import duty and as the US dollar is currently still strong against European currencies now is a great time to go shopping !!

Additional information on VAT can be found in the following articles:

• Of Course the Internet will be Taxed, by Andrew Starling.
• Reclaiming the VAT

European visitors shopping from the US

If you are resident in the UK/EEC import duty and VAT must be paid on all items imported into the United Kingdom/.EEC. In practice in the UK duties are waived on postal imports of goods worth less than £18. Additional information can be found in the following article:

• Customs Updates Internet Shopping Advice