Daves eevblog multimeter - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: snipersquad100
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 22, 2016, 12:50:50 pm
content: Is anyone stocking daves multimeter in the UK.I want one but dont want to pay the import duty tax.

author: Monkeh
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 22, 2016, 12:53:36 pm
content: Quote from: snipersquad100 on May 22, 2016, 12:50:50 pmIt's below £135. There is no duty.How do you think you'll get it cheaper after having it shipped twice?

author: snipersquad100
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 22, 2016, 02:27:37 pm
content: Cos if someone is buying them in bulk then it be cheaper even thou they charge extra on top.It cost me £70 in import duty when i bought a mppt charge controller from america.

author: Monkeh
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 22, 2016, 02:28:48 pm
content: The only person buying them in bulk is Dave.There is no import duty to be paid on one.

author: snipersquad100
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 22, 2016, 02:38:17 pm
content: What makes you so sure?Have you bought one? I can see you in the uk.

author: Monkeh
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 22, 2016, 02:40:54 pm
content: Quote from: snipersquad100 on May 22, 2016, 02:38:17 pmPrice + shipping < £135 = no import duty. What makes me so sure is bothering to look.There is of course still VAT to pay.

author: TheAmmoniacal
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 22, 2016, 02:45:38 pm
content: I thought Simon athttp://www.sparkylabs.co.uk/shop/index.phpwas stocking them, but I can't see them in his store? Maybe he'll get some stock? Send him a message.

author: snipersquad100
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 22, 2016, 02:55:04 pm
content: Thanks TheAmmoniacal.The other guy:- It says on the auction "International items may be subject to customs processing and additional charges." So you clearly did'nt bother to look that well.If you buy something from an non EU country you have to pay import tax, and its not cheap.PUT THAT IN YOUR PIPE AND SMOKE IT.I hate negative comments on this site.

author: Monkeh
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 22, 2016, 03:01:18 pm
content: Quote from: snipersquad100 on May 22, 2016, 02:55:04 pmIf you buy something from outside the EU youmayhave to pay VAT and import duty (they are separate things, and VAT is paid on import duty).The VAT threshold for non-gifts is £15. The import duty threshold is £135. Below these values you pay nothing. Try understanding the law, not a disclaimer on an auction.The 'not cheap' is the regular 20% VAT you pay on virtually every item you buy in this country. Import duty is much more variable.E:https://www.gov.uk/trade-tariff/commodities/90303100904.2%, if you exceed the threshold - which a BM235 does not.Quote*holds up a mirror*

author: TheAmmoniacal
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 22, 2016, 03:09:22 pm
content: I doubt you will be able to get it cheaper though, whatever percentage you have to pay in VAT is the same no matter how many you buy.

author: snipersquad100
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 22, 2016, 04:22:21 pm
content: OK thanks

author: CM800
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 31, 2016, 01:51:39 pm
content: The main thing is ontop of VAT and Import Duties, the shipping company (e.g. Royal Mail, UPS) Also charge £8-12 for handling the fees for you so you end up paying a good handful more.

author: Simon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 31, 2016, 04:33:01 pm
content: Quote from: TheAmmoniacal on May 22, 2016, 02:45:38 pmI did discuss this with Dave but unlike the uCurrent for which he pays manufacturing costs this comes from a manufacturer making their profit on their IP, then Dave needs some profit and by the time I come to sell it I'd just break even.

author: Simon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 31, 2016, 04:35:16 pm
content: Quote from: TCWilliamson on May 31, 2016, 01:51:39 pmCorrect, I have been charged up to £10 handlying plus VAT, I think VAT and import are the same thing. When you sell abroad you don't chrge VAT, the buyers country will collect this and in some cases they charge more than VAT at which point you'd call it import duty. £10 on 60 uCurrents is nothing but on one it's another matter.

author: Monkeh
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 31, 2016, 04:36:32 pm
content: Quote from: Simon on May 31, 2016, 04:35:16 pmThey are very clearly not.QuoteAt which point you're paying import duty, and you pay VAT on both the goods and the duty.

author: Simon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 31, 2016, 04:41:00 pm
content: what I mean is that while import duty and VAT are at the same rate it's pretty much the same thing. I have never been charged more than 20% or the current UK VAT rate. I don't know if they can apply two charges or if they might choose to charge more than the current VAT rate at which point your certainly not calling it VAT any more. I don't know all of the ins and outs i just pay up as there is no getting away but it's always VAT rates (call it what you will) plus handling which also has VAT on it as they like to itemise it all and the handling service was provide in the UK so is subject to VAT.

author: Monkeh
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 31, 2016, 04:44:51 pm
content: Quote from: Simon on May 31, 2016, 04:41:00 pmBut.. import duty is NOT at the same rate as VAT, and they are charged separately (once again, VAT is due on import duty. It's also due on excise duty, which is not import (customs) duty.).QuoteWhy not? They call it VAT when they charge you less. They even call it VAT when they charge you nothing (which is not the same as being exempt). But no, they don't currently have a higher rate of VAT than 20%.

author: Simon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 31, 2016, 04:49:34 pm
content: Well I've never been charged import duty, but I am charged VAT at UK rates. I think the whle duty and duty free thing is about the buying between borders and illuding VAT. I do not pay the seller VAT, I do not pay Dave VAT I only pay UK VAT on whatever I buy outside of the UK to the UK government and I get charged handling plus VAT on that for the pleasure. So it seems VAT comes before/regardless of duty, so how do you pay VAT on duty if it's a charge that seems to take precedence ? or maybe you do and I'm yet to find out.

author: Monkeh
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 31, 2016, 04:53:38 pm
content: You pay VAT on the value of the goods, shipping, and any duty incurred.

author: Simon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 31, 2016, 04:54:28 pm
content: Well so far been lucky

author: Monkeh
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 31, 2016, 05:02:55 pm
content: Or you simply haven't received anything with a stated value which crosses the duty threshold, or there is no duty on goods which have. I'm not entirely sure which tariff to put the ?Current under, for example. It may be 0%, or 2.1%..

author: Simon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 31, 2016, 05:14:31 pm
content: Well I've ordered parts from china at over £500 and never been charged duty just VAT, they even charge VAT on the shipping as that is charged ex VAT by the seller as it's overseas so I've yet to see actual duty.

author: Simon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 31, 2016, 05:15:03 pm
content: small items from ebay in china will come through with no VAt or handling or VAT on the shipping.

author: Monkeh
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 31, 2016, 05:16:15 pm
content: That's because the volume is far too high for them to process everything.Order £500 of stuff from the US, via any shipping method. Enjoy your duty if applicable, they won't forget.

author: Simon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 31, 2016, 05:21:51 pm
content: Well I guess I've been lucky so far. Problem is no one tells you what to expect and it seems somewhat arbitrary. the only point I see in import duty is on goods that are also made in the country of purchase - like steel

author: Towger
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 31, 2016, 06:49:13 pm
content: I was charged nothing on the meter.It gets interesting when you order large boxes of stuff $500+ from china and they value it at $50. DHL just estimate a real value on the low side, because they know if they over estimate you will kick up a fuss.

author: Simon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 31, 2016, 08:09:55 pm
content: I've had the same size boxes values at £100 and £500 from china and it makes no difference, only the VAt on the declared amount was charged.

author: Towger
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 01, 2016, 06:52:54 am
content: I suppose they are happy enough once they get their pound of flesh.