5 replies to this topic

[sponna]

Hi,

We are currently quoting for a company which has several offices based around the World and wants to know the VAT implications particularly relating to shipping from the US to Europe. They are wondering if two stores will be necessary.

We have limited experience with this and would appreciate your advice please.

Here is an abstract from the prospective client's mail:

"It may be that we need two near identical shops - one located on our .se website for EU and rest of world (except USA, Canada, Mexico - i.e. NAFTA) sales, and the other only for USA/Canada/Mexico. We have an office in Stockholm and one in Boston - so the physical address of each shop can be registered to these.

The reason for this is VAT.

I read that EC law now forces US shops to obtain VAT number and charge VAT on sales - but I am not sure if this is for downloads only (we have physical product and ship by UPS/FedEx). If this is the case, it may be easier in the longrun to have 2 shops.

I assume you know the rules for a Eu based shop that sell in EU and worldwide. Do you know the rules for selling from US to EU (i.e. do we need 2 shops)?"

Any advice/experience with the above most appreciated.

Thanks
Dave

[detsouvalas]

For accurate information I would advise to visit europe.eu.int

[sponna]

Hi,

Thanks for that - I'll check it out.........

Dave

[recentcoin]

Considering that the internet is, well, borderless, how do you plan on routing traffic?

Just curious,

RecentCoin

[Nimmit]

Hi,
I had to look into this for something i was doing a while ago. To the best of my knowlage, it is up to the customer to take care of VAT and import duties.

Here are some usefull links that may help you

To find out import duties on an item
http://europa.eu.int/comm/taxation_customs...tarchap?Lang=EN

Us embassy info on uk import
http://www.usembassy.org.uk/fas/import_procedures.htm

uk customs and excise
http://www.hmce.gov.uk/business/importing/importing.htm

Also If the item is a "gift" i dont THINK you have to pay any.

Hope this helps a bit

Sam

[Nimmit]

recentcoin, on Jul 23 2004, 03:13 AM, said:

Considering that the internet is, well, borderless, how do you plan on routing traffic?

Just curious,

RecentCoin

You could have a gateway page or a 'cloak' (although search engines wont like the latter!)