Need advice on shipping and VAT in the EU

M

mike519

Member
Hi all,

A Canadian Z4MR owner here...looking at SuperSprint exhaust which is a lot of dough here in NA. Runs around $1,850 from a few online stores in the USA (about 1,400euros, maybe a little more). I am going to be in Italy in April and thought about picking it up right from them at 926 euros, plus VAT which I think adds about another 200euros. I am thinking that by doing this, I would save at least $400 dollars (if I pay the VAT) or maybe even $650 if I can get the VAT refunded.

So, my question to you EU folks is in regards to avoiding/refunding the VAT. A couple of scenarios:

A) As we are on a cruise, if I have it shipped from Italy to Spain (we are on a cruise and we end and spend two days in Barcelona at the end), will I avoid VAT at source? If so, will Spain try and charge me duties/taxes on their end if I am taking it back out of the country again?

B) Same as above but replace Spain with Britain as we fly though London (and I am there for a layover in Feb as well so might do it then if so).

C) I will have to ask SuperSprint but I know some stores in the EU can assist in VAT rebates at source...you pay then they help you apply for a rebate.

D) Any other ways around paying the VAT for a non EU resident?

Thanks for any help!

Mike
 
There are definitely stores in the UK where you can buy without paying VAT at all, subject to being able to demonstrate to them why you shouldn't pay it.
 
As we will be out of Canada for more than 7 days, we are able to claim an $800 per person exemption from duty and taxes so no cost for me there.

Any good store recommendations in the UK...preferably in London...preferably closer to Heathrow!!
 
Digging up this old thread as it's still relevant for me, prices have really gone up lately! I’m a non-EU resident from Australia, visiting Germany soon, and planning to buy a Milltek exhaust for my Z4. The price looks good until VAT gets added, which pushes it over budget. vatcalc.onl
Has anyone recently managed to avoid VAT or get a refund on car parts while travelling in the EU?
 
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I regularly buy parts for my Lotus from a UK-based company that ships directly to Sydney. They don’t charge VAT, but FedEx usually chase me for duty and GST once they item lands at Botany. It seems to depend on the value of the item whether they bother.

Interestingly, UPS seem to avoid GST on goods imported from the UK for some reason, but I wouldn’t rely on that happening consistently!

Alternatively, I buy items and ship them to a UK address, then collect them when I’m visiting family. Of course, that does mean paying VAT. There’s a VAT reclaim desk at Heathrow for overseas visitors who have made a purchase in the UK, but the queue is usually pretty long. Presumably, there will be a similar office in major airports in Germany.
 
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