vat charge on purchases from the channel islands

[trevthet]

I almost bought a collectable postacard from the Channel islands - total cost £1.9 but VAT was added at the checkout.  The seller says VAT is not chargeable on exports under £10 to the UK but Ebay are collecting it anyway.  Is this correct ?

[plpmr · Accepted solution]

20% VAT is collected on any item from outside UK and, or if the seller is registered outside UK.

[trevthet · Accepted solution]

After much investigation, Channel Island gov website the allowance was done away with earlier this year, as was the UK import allowance, so all items, new or used which are imported are subject to VAT collected at the point of sale by Ebay etc when you checkout. A change quietly introduced at Brexit. Note, the channel islands for VAT are outside the UK

[arkwebus]

It's not really up to a seller in CI to assess what VAT may be charged on an import to UK.  Presumably the extra 40p is all that is at stake here?

@trevthet 

[trevthet]

The seller in the CI informed me there was a £10 allowance which I found out had been abolished, likewise the UK import allowance was also abolished, and the CI are not in the UK for VAT purposes anyway. I am wiser but I do like to know what my tax liabilities are. Good thing it was not an expensive item ? Buying on Ebay should be informed rather than led up the garden path by misinformation or buyer beware CI sellers even though the tax is for HMRC.

[arkwebus]

Do not take advice from sellers!

@trevthet 

[trevthet]

Well said