Steve Browning

I have noted in another thread that the rules from NI changed on Friday. NI sales/purchases from GB are treated as domestic and not exported/imported to/from NI as was previously the case.

1) Quoting from HMRC For imports of goods from outside the UK in consignments not exceeding £135 in value (which aligns with the threshold for customs duty liability), we will be moving the point at which VAT is collected from the point of importation to the point of sale. This will mean that UK supply VAT, rather than import VAT, will be due on these consignments. The new arrangements will also involve the abolition of Low Value Consignment Relief, which relieves import VAT on consignments of goods valued at £15 or less. Online marketplaces (OMPs), where they are involved in facilitating the sale, will be responsible for collecting and accounting for the VAT. For goods sent from overseas and sold directly to UK consumers without OMP involvement, the overseas seller will be required to register and account for the VAT to HMRC. 2) just a slight amendment. You don't receive your goods until you have settled the charges prior to delivery. With regard to 1) I can see some issues. You will note that it still expects UK VAT to be charged. The OMP will be expected to register for VAT in the UK (how many will be botherede for these small value sales and all the paperwork necessary in the UK). Where there is no OMP involvement it reads that the overseas seller must register and account. This could mean that an EU BC'er could hive to register in the UK to charge VAT on their £100 pedal. There is a UK VAT registration threshold of £85k but non-established entities (people overseas) have a nil threshold. Our EU member could be required to register on that basis. Personally, I think I'd be buying these smaller value things from an established EU seller - if you can. I would imagine that the likes of Thomann will take some time to evaluate whether there is enough of this small business to make it worthwhile. This is just my interpretation based on what is here, as things have developed.

I use a pair of 15's, as you know. I confess I don't see how powering different speaker configurations with the same eq can possibly work efficiently. It does seem popular of course.

Unnamed source is a standard way governments can release information to gauge the response and deny it later. Certain folk seem to find it ominous, and the very people that do it deride it.

Yes. Me. In 2019 I went over to the EU for short tours about 8 times. I may have to fall back on playing in a tribute band or two, or even (if I get really desperate) panto. 😉

Larger bands won't be troubled too much as they will already do all the necessary when they tour outside the EU. It's bands like mine that will be worst hit. We wouldn't earn enough to make it worthwhile.

I can't help on the legal side but I can say that all logistics is all over the place. There are all sorts of delays and problems over paperwork. You are certainly due the courtesy of a reply but the delay in action is no surprise.

I had a few things seem to sit in one place for ages and then suddenly turn up unannounced so don't abandon all hope. Fingers crossed for you.

I'm sorry but that is completely wrong. VAT is charged on every sale by a VAT registered seller. When VAT is irrecoverable (it wouldn't happen with a commercial vehicle) the subsequent sale is exempt but VAT is always charged. People really need to be careful what they are posting. Here's the VAT Act 1994. If you're not familiar with it, then you are best seeking proper advice and not offering advice here. https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1994/23/contents

How about All Right Now by Free? There's an example of the difference the bass makes.

I believe we import without Duty under the agreement. Your additional costs will be mainly the fee for the carrier handling the import VAT.

VAT is charged once (or should be). Stuff coming from Germany will cost zero VAT from the supplier and 20% (plus any fees) UK VAT when it arrives in the UK. DV247 used to a shop in Southampton and I bought from them quite regularly.

Sorry. Your response ("but UPS are") suggested that UPS charge the VAT and I was just correcting. The end result is the same I admit. Tomayto/tomarto.

Sorry. Pedant time. UPS pass on the VAT charged by HMRC on importation. The money you pay to UPS reimburses them the VAT + their handling fee. No non-UK seller will charge anyone in the UK VAT directly. They may show the price including but I would expect the delivery address part of the checkout to remove it.

I was thinking of doping this myself (the mod!!).

I guess time will tell. It's probably fairly disquieting for Mesa employees (it's human nature after all) and maybe we should hang fire on the negativity and see what transpires. If the same people are intending to use the same kit to build the same amps then there's more room for optimism than is felt at the moment.

I should like to make clear that I made the OP. I did not attach the video clip.

Just been announced by Mesa. https://www.mesaboogie.com/#loaderdone

Mesa Boogie have just announced they're part of Gibson.

Buy it in the UK though!! 🙂

Would not fewer £ for your € have the opposite effect? Reducing income still further.

All very laudable but please be careful. Who says "better use a CN23" and will people understand the importance of incoterms. You don't just select one at random. I'm not saying this is necessarily wrong but I am saying that you should approach this with caution and don't just use something because someone says you should or you've just spent 2 minutes reading an explanation on the internet. Yes, this is straightforward for people who do it daily but it's not straightforward. If you are a business. take advice from the carrier. They have the necessary experience to tell you what you need to do. The HS code tool could be useful although there are many such tools on the internet. Again, apologies for the cautious note. Getting something wrong could end in confiscation.

Ooh. Maybe I should switch to Thunderbird basses. 🙂

Here it is straight from the horses mouth (and up to date on 31/12/20) https://www.gov.uk/guidance/vat-exports-dispatches-and-supplying-goods-abroad I am always a little wary of any offering from outside the Agency that actually polices this. I don't doubt its veracity (I haven't read it) but I would always suggest you go to the source rather than an interpretation. Sorry for being a bit pedantic here but this is based on a lot of years experience - on both sides of the fence.

... or economically worthwhile.