Various folk have had the theory that VAT is a tax on luxury items, so there are various things that are non-Vatable (or Vatable at zero rate), one of which is milk. Eating out in a restaurant is however Vatable, so if you drink milk or a milkshake (but not icecream) in McDonalds you will get charged the price on the board, if they ring it in as a takeout they will effectively undercharge you, with the difference being the tax. In normal shopping you don't tend to notice what is Vatable and what isn't, as everything over here is listed at the total cost instead of X plus Y% GST (or whatever). The McDonalds scenario above is one interesting little scenario where the "hidden" sales tax becomes visible.
Folow up on my topic. Got an e-mail from GLS that the package with the express number I gave never reached their compagny and never entered Europe. Dropped an e-mail to Mark (4nscale.com) and he replyed that the package that was returned from Europe, was surrounded with tape with the GLS logo. Wrote an e-mail back to GLS about this, wonder what their answer will be. Did I tell you they are a bunch of meatheads ? Paul
Yes they are meatheads! I still did not get my question answered on the tax... If I was to send a box (as a gift) will the items be taxed? This VAT only applies to the UK right?
As Martyn says in a previous post, a gift is not taxed normally. But a high value one may be, because even though marked as a gift, the value must still be stated on the customs form. Don't know what the limits are.
Robert, Not sure about that. Till a certain value, I don't know how much, a gift is free of vat. And this VAT counts for all European countries I think some more some less. Belgium, where I live seem to have the highest VAT values of Europe. Got an e-mail from a Spannish modeller, he got the same problems with shipping and VAT. I guess you living in the States don't know how this is organised in Europe. FI in Belgium when you get a loan of 2000 $ a month, you get 1330 $ in your pocket. And once a year the taxman send you a letter you have to pay 1000$. Everything you buy is taxed from 6 to 21% depending on what it is. Income taxes from US 25% plus 6% VAT. Since the beginning of the United Europe, we ordinary people have to pay for everything exept the air we bread (until one of this foolish politicians invent a tax on that). That's our problem. Paul
Man! that sucks! When I lived in Germany, back in the mid 80s...it was sweet. The only advantage I had was that all my pakages came under the APO system. The German government could not tax it. More less touch the packages even if they look pretty When I go back to Germany, I should take a lot of stuff with me to sell to you guys... I for sure would stop modeling like you said Paul. I have no tolerance for this kind of stupidity.
OK...our GST (Grossly Stupid Tax), from an import perspective, is and can only be charged, on 'new items for personal use'. That being said, ANY item sent to you clearly labelled 'demonstation' will be opened and checked, then sent on to you without GST. Bear in mind that if you order TWO identical locos (seperately boxed in the same package) the chances are they will GST slug ya. They are also fairly canny and will notice if you have a lot of these demonstators coming in...keep em 2 weeks apart and your cooking with gas. You think your Chuck Donalds thing is strange, well get this.... In Aus, bread isnt GST'able, but cakes etc are. This means that a baker pays GST when he buys flour, then has to work out what percentage of that flour was used for bread, and what was used for cakes etc (ie "prepared" food) and apply for a credit.
In simple terms, for importing to the UK from outside the EEC the limit above which duty/tax is charged is £18 (about 30 USD). The limit for a gift is £36 (about USD 60). Most European countries should be similar (otherwise there would be some big loopholes for people to drive through) but as Paul says, tax rates do vary between countries. Please don't ask your supplier to call something a gift when it isn't. They would easily get caught and suffer, so will certainly refuse (if they have any brains ). Under declaring is nearly as daft, and also means that if the package is lost the insurance won't cover the cost . This covers most internet shopping situations, but if you want the full whammy this is the place to look (it's in the UK Customs and Excise website) Notice 143 If you travel outside the EEC (eg. fly to the US) then on return you can bring back, in addition to 'beer and fags', "£145 worth of all other goods including gifts and souvenirs" without paying any taxes. I brought a #1 GP-38 back a few years ago under that rule (mind you, had a scary moment fitting into the overhead locker ) Getting back to the original thread , it rather looks like the problem is not USPS at all, but the particular EU partner that Paul has to deal with. Have you thought of living in a different country Paul?
Latest update: Got an e-mail from GLS, that in that case the package/express number is wrong. Wrote them back that the Belgian Postal sevices did a trace on this number and they stated that the package was sent back from Europe and arrived in Louisville KY on december 23. Mark (Owensboro KY)got the package back on december 26 fully covered with GLS tape and no markings on the express label. This means that nobody ever even did an attempt to deliver, cause if they did they should mark it on the Express label. Wrote this meatheads back if they still denie that it was their fault they will look like the formar minister of information of Irak, remember:" There are no American troops in Bagdad", while US tanks were running behind his back. Paul
Same side of the atlantic, same problem: no decent LHS running US trains. Though, I have good experiences with mail ordering from a German supplier for couplers and rolling stock. No nasty surprises likes custom duties and alike, and swift in shipping. They also take pre-orders on new models. Still, in some cases direct ordering from US can not be avoided. I think I will try out the "gift" idea with some friends over there.
First of all, welcome aboard Frank. I wonder about the German supplier, does he have a website to choose your order, and if that is the fact can you give me the http:// adress ? Paul
Paul, The supplier is Sammler-Service (www.us-trains.com). No online ordering, but via email, fax and phone. Not all available products are listed on their site. Just drop an email for availability and price. They are also listed as Walthers dealer, so online ordering via Walthers is also possible.
Thanks Frank, I visited that website, It seems to be a great option for us. Next order I will do I'll give them a try. Prices in US seems to be sharper, but when you count shipping and taxes it comes close. Great tip, Paul
