Import tax on precision farming equipment

[Against_the_grain]

Any advice please. Have found a piece of precision farming equipment 2/3 the price in the USA compared to here. What are the likely charges I will have to pay.

Cost is around £2000.

Thanks

 

[Tractor Boy]

Had a look last year for an EZ steer. £2700 approx from AS Comms. £1700 approx from US or Canada on EBay. P+P was about £170. Looked up at the PO about import tax as it is them who hold the item until the Duty is paid. Came to the conclusion it would be around £300 or thereabouts.
There was potential for a saving around £500, but I was scared of not getting the correct wiring looms, dealing abroad on EBay, cocking up my calculation of import duty, but my main worry was no guarantee or future backup.
I ended up buying UK!

 

[twizz]

I was looking at doing the same thing just don't know if they will work over here something to do with different satalites

 

[Robt]

Buy cheap buy twice.... Try calling the States Sunday morning.... Oh wait it's middle of night

 

[Docwalters]

Right Robt.

My Dad always said, "Buy cheap-buy twice" and "If it looks to good to be true-it is."

Just some seasonal thoughts.

Happy Christmas to you all

CW

 

[ZXR17]

Are you saying then that, backup aside, a Trimble setup bought in from the States is inferior to an officially imported one.!?
Are Trimble not based and manufactured in California?

 

[Docwalters]

You're observation is a discussion starter for sending our pound abroad when we should be, perhaps, supporting UK industry instead.
I have my opinion. What do you think?

Robt's point was about back-up in fact about a whole relationship thing with supplier of hi-tech precision equipment and the support offered by a UK based dealer not necessarily any perceived difference in quality of product. You are correct that Trimble, Topcon,Tee Jet are all manufactured outside the UK. The products then should be the same whether imported via the internet or bought from a dealer in the UK. The difference is something indefinable that cannot be measured in pounds.

 

[ZXR17]

Yep fair point and obviously more valid from both of you who have to make a living out of selling the systems you supply.

 

[Docwalters]

Absolutely ! Not forgetting the support of all the systems supplied as well.

Have a good Christmas

 

[Against_the_grain]

You will all be very relieved to hear that I did end up buying the product from a uk source! Sleep easy now!

 

[bovrill]

You're observation is a discussion starter for sending our pound abroad when we should be, perhaps, supporting UK industry instead.

You are correct that Trimble, Topcon,Tee Jet are all manufactured outside the UK.

The products then should be the same whether imported via the internet or bought from a dealer in the UK.

So you support handing our money over to a third party in this country, who then take a healthy cut for themselves, then spending the same money you would have spent in the same country you would have spent it, buying the same product and bringing it over for you?

 

[Ian01]

If you are vat registered, import duty can be claimed back in the same way vat can I believe

 

[Docwalters]

Sorry, I lost the thread.
What I support is buying UK made products which are designed and made in the UK
so the money spent on its purchase supports UK business and the money goes around in the UK.
However I would not support this at the expense of a quality product.

That's where I am coming from and why our family created BlackBox at Patchwork in the first place.
We used to import but realised that actually we had better technology ourselves, better design (our opinion)
and just as good a product (and in some things better) and that we were ideally suited to provide support through a dealer network which is slowly increasing, nationwide.
Many of us come from farming backgrounds and feel we understand the needs of the farming communities.
Our market research is done with UK farmers; our field testing is done under UK conditions and carried out by with our UK farmer's support.
However, I would not denigrate those who supply other brands that have been around as long as or longer than Patchwork and import them but I would prefer an ideal world where we support UK business instead of investing money in the US of A or Australia of wherever.

I take the Disraeli point of view at Christmas and pull in my teeth.
He famously said, "Let sleeping dogs lie" so my last word on the subject is "A Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night."

CW
Patchwork Technology home of the BlackBox at Patchwork.

 

[Robt]

Ian01. Are you sure about that! I don think you can!

 

[Steevo]

You could probably claim back VAT from purchases abroad, but not import duty. The whole purpose of import duty is to shelter UK firms from foreign competitors....oh, and raise ££ for the govt!

 

[ZXR17]

On the subject of supporting UK industry I must add that 70% of the kit in my yard is made in the UK

 

[bovrill]

Sorry, I lost the thread.
What I support is buying UK made products which are designed and made in the UK
so the money spent on its purchase supports UK business and the money goes around in the UK.
However I would not support this at the expense of a quality product.

That's where I am coming from and why our family created BlackBox at Patchwork in the first place.
We used to import but realised that actually we had better technology ourselves, better design (our opinion)
and just as good a product (and in some things better) and that we were ideally suited to provide support through a dealer network which is slowly increasing, nationwide.
Many of us come from farming backgrounds and feel we understand the needs of the farming communities.
Our market research is done with UK farmers; our field testing is done under UK conditions and carried out by with our UK farmer's support.
However, I would not denigrate those who supply other brands that have been around as long as or longer than Patchwork and import them but I would prefer an ideal world where we support UK business instead of investing money in the US of A or Australia of wherever.

I take the Disraeli point of view at Christmas and pull in my teeth.
He famously said, "Let sleeping dogs lie" so my last word on the subject is "A Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night."

CW
Patchwork Technology home of the BlackBox at Patchwork.

I now feel bad for being a bit sarky to you, I'm very sorry, my misunderstanding!!
I didn't realise Patchwork were British made products

 

[Ian01]

Ian01. Are you sure about that! I don think you can!

https://www.gov.uk/vat-imports-acquisitions-and-purchases-from-abroad


Import tax is basically the same as vat, and is charged at the same rate that vat would be charged if the item was purchased in this country. I don't know the in's and outs, but my accountant told me I could claim it back on a panasonic toughpad I nearly bought from the states. He said just treat it exactly the same as vat.

 

[Tractor Boy]

https://www.gov.uk/vat-imports-acquisitions-and-purchases-from-abroad


Import tax is basically the same as vat, and is charged at the same rate that vat would be charged if the item was purchased in this country. I don't know the in's and outs, but my accountant told me I could claim it back on a panasonic toughpad I nearly bought from the states. He said just treat it exactly the same as vat.

Sorry but you are wrong on that. It's not the same as VAT. My wife used to work for a company that dealt with bringing in product from abroad. There are definitely taxes to pay that can't be claimed back. For the same reason you can't go on holiday and fill suitcases with goods to bring back!

 

[Tractor Boy]

I have just looked it up. Import VAT is paid at the same rate as VAT in this country. It is paid direct to HMRC rather than the goods supplier. It can be claimed back by VAT registered companies. Import Duty, however, is a tax on certain goods brought in from countries outside the EU. It is not reclaim able. It also varies in rate depending on the goods. VAT is also payable on the import duty tax !