Ishrub
That's my name ....built like a truck
- Joined
- Feb 18, 2016
- Messages
- 8,940
- Location
- Duffy, Canberra, ACT, AUSTRALIA
- Ride
- 2x2010 ABS Roadsters, Sprint ST 1050 ABS, 3x250s
It's ignorance by the seller. When sold as an export to non-commonwealth countries the business is alleviated of all VAT obligations for that sale. Many vendors don't know or care so they still charge it.
A can of worms and great way for many sellers to scam an extra 17-20% margin to trouser for exempt International sales.
I believe VAT does apply to sales within the UK for UK consumption but may be redeemable or exempt for other European Economic Community (EEC) country final destinations.
Germany's 17% equivalent consumption tax is similar but bureaucratic forms need to be completed to claim an exemption or sometimes post purchase refund for other EEC destinations, but should not be applied to non EEC destinations without any paperwork required as is the case for UK VAT.
EEC residents may be able to clarify or refute.
UK 20% Value Added Tax (VAT) applicability is not related to the 'Commonwealth' which used to be those British Empire countries, colonies or dependencies which still had the British Royal family as Monarch and Head of State but is now a hotchpotch of previously British Empire countries that includes Westminster style Parliaments, Republics and all sorts of dodgy semi-dictatorships. I believe even countries that have never met those criteria have applied and are now being considered for membership.
The way it is administered these days the USA could probably re-join the 'Brotherhood of Nations'.
Please don't, because it is a farcical anachronism like the Monarchy itself.