Brexit woes: sales suspended to UK

[banpei]

(02-07-2021 11:58 AM)decryphe Wrote:  That's retarded. In Switzerland (which isn't in the EU), the recipient has to pay customs that is the same amount as if he'd paid VAT locally. The seller only has to do the export declaration - for stuff up to 2k€ it's enough with the green sticker on the box (literally four empty fields: what, how many, how much, grand total) and optionally a printout of the invoice.

That's similar to what we have here in the Netherlands when you import something from abroad. Up to 22 euros there is no need for paying import duties or local VAT, between 22 and 150 euros it's only local VAT you need to pay. Beyond 150 euros you need to pay both duties and local VAT. I think about 80 to 90 percent of our sales are below 22 euros.

(02-07-2021 11:58 AM)decryphe Wrote:  Why do the brits not opt for something as simple as this and instead force foreign companies to register for VAT numbers and even pay taxes from abroad?

It's probably to prevent cheap products from entering the UK and protect their own sellers. So instead of adding local VAT they made it much more difficult to sell to the UK. I think it's way more effective than adding VAT as now many sellers, like us, refuse to sell to the UK. Luckily we're able to still allow "donations" to the forums.