Leica purchase within EU

[zanydave]

Sorry if this seems a daft question but if purchasing new Leica equipment from a country within the EU, would I be liable for any import duty or VAT?

Thanks.

Dave.

[stunsworth]

Dave, you'll be charged VAT, but there's no duty.

[andybarton]

You will be charged VAT in the country where you buy the goods, too. Some places have higher VAT than we do... (Shop carefully )

http://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs...t_rates_en.pdf

[stunsworth]

When Andy uses the word 'too', don't interprete this as meaning you'd pay UK _plus_ German VAT for a lens bought from Germany. You would only pay German VAT :-)

[jaapv]

The tax-free shop at Schiphol airport is pretty good, and not too expensive. You can order beforehand on line. For within-EU purposes, they offer an equivalent discount.

[andybarton]

Quite so, Steve

One VAT payment is sufficient.



The Tax Free shop at Schipol is, presumably, for non-EU residents?

If not, then it's worth us getting an Easyjet flight to Amsterdam for EVERY "kit" purchase...

[jaapv]

There are tax-refund facilities for non-EU residents as well. Larger shops offer services in that respect. Of course , living as you do in the UK, that would not apply to you. (although I understand some Britons do not consider themselves part of the EU )

[steich]

@jaap
Do you know if the duty free shop has an website? I found two Schiphol shops on the web, but none of them shows any Leica items.
Bedankt,
Stefan

[jaapv]

The camera shops are run by Capi Vak, a respected Dutch professional camera firm. This is the link to the contact form. If you use that I'm sure you'll get a reply to your request.
You'll have to choose the product group.

Contact

[flatfour]

If you buy second hand in the EU there is not duty to pay if the article remains in the EU. If you buy secondhand outside the EU then VAT is payable and is assessed at the time of importation. Be careful using UPS as they try to charge you for the paperwork to get the article through customs. They should not do this as they have no contract with you - only with the shipper.

[leicapages]

The general rule is that, for residents within the EU, the VAT is charged in the country where the item is bought.
If you are a non-EU resident and buy goods in the EU, you are entitled to buy without VAT. Most shops use the Global Refund system, which is not very interesting since these guys charge commission on your VAT return so what you get is not exactly what you are entitled to.

[sparkie]

If you are VAT registered you can purchase the item from another EU country without being charged. IF however the vendor still charges you, you can always claim it back via your VAT returns. The deciding factor is if the VAT and exchange rates work in your favour.