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I don't understand why Raspberry Pi doesn't have to pay VAT on the assembled imported items? Is it because they are a charity? EDIT: added 'assembled'. Does an

by willyt 15y ago

I don't understand why Raspberry Pi doesn't have to pay VAT on the assembled imported items? Is it because they are a charity? EDIT: added 'assembled'. Does anyone have a link to the IR rules about this?

roel_v 15y ago
It doesn't say VAT, it's import duties.
- willyt 15y ago
  All right then, why is there no import duty (which is charged at the same rate as VAT) on a Raspberry PI when there is on a stick of RAM? Genuine question: I'm curious to know how the rules define one item as separate from the other. Edit: OK sorry my comment was a load of crap, I was confused. They charge both VAT @%20 and duty @~3% but duty is only charged on a massive and seemingly random list of things.
  - objclxt 15y ago
    They are probably classifying their product as a 'palm-top computer', which attracts no import duty. But the component parts (the chips, etc) almost certainly will. For reasons I gave in my reply above, I couldn't tell you the exact duty amounts, but there is a link here that details the duty for palm-top computers: http://customs.hmrc.gov.uk/channelsPortalWebApp/channelsPortalWebApp.portal?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=pageVAT_ShowContent&id=HMCE_PROD_009989&propertyType=document http://customs.hmrc.gov.uk/channelsPortalWebApp/channelsPort... I seem to remember this being the case when I imported some Beagleboards into the UK for R&D work, and didn't pay import duty on them.
    - justincormack 15y ago
      That is the most bizarre list of random tax rates. I always seem to get charged a lot so will appeal next time based on whether my player is mp3 or mp4 or whatever. And I might complain to my MP about the taxes on 35mm film cameras. Bizarre.
- deleted 15y ago
  [deleted]
objclxt 15y ago
Assuming its import duty we're talking about here, you won't be able to find this information online. It's crazy, but the actual tariffs for import duty (basically a huge list of goods and the import taxes required for them) are only available from the revenue if you subscribe to them, which varies between £300-2000 depending on what format you want. Which is a bit of a joke, because really these tariffs should be accessible online for all!
petercooper 15y ago
Even if they did, they could claim it back, assuming they were VAT registered and charging their customers VAT.

by willyt 15y ago

roel_v 15y ago

It doesn't say VAT, it's import duties.

willyt 15y ago
All right then, why is there no import duty (which is charged at the same rate as VAT) on a Raspberry PI when there is on a stick of RAM? Genuine question: I'm curious to know how the rules define one item as separate from the other. Edit: OK sorry my comment was a load of crap, I was confused. They charge both VAT @%20 and duty @~3% but duty is only charged on a massive and seemingly random list of things.
- objclxt 15y ago
  They are probably classifying their product as a 'palm-top computer', which attracts no import duty. But the component parts (the chips, etc) almost certainly will. For reasons I gave in my reply above, I couldn't tell you the exact duty amounts, but there is a link here that details the duty for palm-top computers: http://customs.hmrc.gov.uk/channelsPortalWebApp/channelsPortalWebApp.portal?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=pageVAT_ShowContent&id=HMCE_PROD_009989&propertyType=document http://customs.hmrc.gov.uk/channelsPortalWebApp/channelsPort... I seem to remember this being the case when I imported some Beagleboards into the UK for R&D work, and didn't pay import duty on them.
  - justincormack 15y ago
    That is the most bizarre list of random tax rates. I always seem to get charged a lot so will appeal next time based on whether my player is mp3 or mp4 or whatever. And I might complain to my MP about the taxes on 35mm film cameras. Bizarre.
deleted 15y ago
[deleted]

objclxt 15y ago

Assuming its import duty we're talking about here, you won't be able to find this information online. It's crazy, but the actual tariffs for import duty (basically a huge list of goods and the import taxes required for them) are only available from the revenue if you subscribe to them, which varies between £300-2000 depending on what format you want. Which is a bit of a joke, because really these tariffs should be accessible online for all!

petercooper 15y ago

Even if they did, they could claim it back, assuming they were VAT registered and charging their customers VAT.