VAT - DPChallenge Forums

Nikon AF Nikkor 85mm f/1.8D

03/12/2008 01:07:46 PM · #1

As a student, I don't have much money floating around. After a long time thinking about it, I coughed up and bought a Tokina 12-24 f4. I tried to spend as little as possible so I got it used from a very helpful member here (none of the following is

ryand's fault at all, he was most helpful and sold it to me at a great price).

Checking in advcance I knew I would have to pay VAT on the item. After loosing the lens for a while, today I received a letter from the postal service detailing how much I would have to pay before I could get my lens. Â£71.16! It works out that for only Â£30 more I could have bought a new lens from the UK with warranty...

To make matters worse, i've literally been ready to pounce on the postman when they turn up with a package for the last week, and I got all excited yesterday. Post van pulls up, man gets out with a box about the right size- and what is it? EGGS! Who sends eggs in the post!?

I understand that VAT has to be paid, I just wish I didn't have to :P

End of rant.

Louis

Nikon D800

03/12/2008 01:49:58 PM · #2

It's exactly the same in Canada with GST (a tax similar to VAT). Anything purchased from a foreign supplier and shipped into Canada is subject to GST. That's all fine and well, but if delivered by Canada Post, the GST is payable at the time of delivery, and they want exact change. Who has $5.43 lying around in change at any given time? If it's delivered by UPS or FedEx, they'll handle the GST payment for you and bill you. But, they'll tack on an exorbitant "brokerage fee" on the order of $30.00 or more.

Matthew

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Peleng 8mm f/3.5 Fisheye MC In M42 Mount

03/12/2008 02:48:44 PM · #3

Strictly speaking it is import duty, not VAT.

I got stung when I bought a full size terracotta warrior (sadly a replica) from the museum in Xian in China. Bargain price, free shipping included, all looked well.

When it arrived six weeks later, the cost of warehousing the thing while it went through customs, the cost of moving it into and out of a bonded warehouse, having customs look at it, paying the import duty, and then moving it back to my house made it, added up to far more than the cost of the statue.

I like it, but that was a big bill following an expensive holiday that I had not been anticipating!!

Peleng 8mm f/3.5 Fisheye MC In M42 Mount

03/12/2008 02:58:05 PM · #4

Ahh I know exactly what you mean!

My parcelforce invoice shows Import Duty AND VAT (plus their handling charge of course). HMRC website showed the Import Duty rate (for camera lenses, its shown specifically) as 6.7%, and then theres the VAT as well :S It's not fun, but at least I have a delivery date for my lens now I guess. Can't wait until Friday!

Matthew

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

03/12/2008 03:00:50 PM · #5

Originally posted by Anders:

I have not seen that before!

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

03/12/2008 03:03:41 PM · #6

Cheeky isn't it haha. I had calculated the aprox. VAT so I was expecting that, but had forgotten about Import Duty and their charge. It all adds up in the end eh.

puzzled

Canon EOS-5D Mark IV

03/12/2008 06:10:08 PM · #7

Originally posted by Anders:

To make matters worse, i've literally been ready to pounce on the postman when they turn up with a package for the last week, and I got all excited yesterday. Post van pulls up, man gets out with a box about the right size- and what is it? EGGS! Who sends eggs in the post!?

What I want to know is who receives eggs in the post?! The idea of expecting a lens in the mail and ending up with eggs made me laugh ... sorry to do that in your moment of desperation, Anders ;-)

Glad you're finally going to get the lens!

Message edited by author 2008-03-13 01:28:36.

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 USM

03/13/2008 08:46:26 AM · #8

Originally posted by puzzled:

What I want to know is who receives eggs in the post?! The idea of expecting a lens in the mail and ending up with eggs made me laugh ... sorry to do that in your moment of desperation, Anders ;-)

I think its a valid question ;) One of my housemates is vegan, his girlfriends parents apparently have some chickens in their care (mix of rescue and purpose bought)- and they sent them for him. He says he likes knowing that the animals are kept in great conditions, which I can understand.

Anyway, thats how I ended up signing for eggs instead of a shiny new lens!

I have tried to organise it so that tomorrow goes ok, when im at Uni Chris (said housemate) will be up and ready for the knock knock!

RayEthier

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

03/13/2008 08:55:44 AM · #9

Originally posted by Anders:

Originally posted by puzzled:

What I want to know is who receives eggs in the post?! The idea of expecting a lens in the mail and ending up with eggs made me laugh ... sorry to do that in your moment of desperation, Anders ;-)

I think its a valid question ;) One of my housemates is vegan...

There must be different breeds of vegans... I have a daughter who is a vegan, and I can assure you that eggs are definitely NOT part of her diet.

Ray