We know VAT isn't the most exciting subject in the world, but now that the UK has officially left the EU, there are some things to bear in mind when items are crossing the EU - UK border. 

What’s changed? 

Now that the UK has left the EU, taxes on goods going between the UK and EU apply.

Before Brexit, when someone bought a second-hand item from a private seller in another member state, no VAT was charged. 

Now that the UK has left the EU, import VAT is applied to second-hand items going between the UK and the EU. 

What is Import VAT?

Put simply, it’s a tax on items being imported into a country. When an item is imported into the EU or the UK, the person importing the item will pay import VAT. 

💡Good to know: Import VAT is calculated on the value of the item, as well as shipping and handling costs.

Why does VAT apply? I thought there was a deal between the UK and the EU?

The agreement signed between the UK and the EU covers the customs fees charged upon import. Unfortunately it does not remove the need to pay import VAT.

I’m in the UK and I want to buy an item in the EU

• If the item you want to buy is being imported into the UK from the EU, you’ll pay 20% on the item’s price, including shipping and handling, in import VAT. This will appear automatically at checkout under ‘Import duties and Taxes’.
• You will not need to pay anything additional fees after checkout to receive your parcel. In some rare cases, the carrier may contact you for additional information, for example to re-confirm your address.

💡Good to know:  If your item will cross an international border, whether to undergo checks or as part of delivery, a handling fee will be applied at checkout. Any applicable handling fees will be no more than €5 per item, or your currency equivalent, and will appear automatically at checkout under ‘Import Duties and Taxes’.

I’m in the EU and I want to buy an item in the UK

If you choose shipping with authentication

• As the European Vestiaire Collective hub is in France, when you buy an item that is in the UK, you'll pay 20% on the item's price, including shipping and handling, in import VAT to France, where the item will be checked before being shipped on to you.
•  The applicable VAT will appear automatically at checkout under ‘Import Duties and Taxes’. You will not need to pay anything additional fees after checkout to receive your parcel. In some rare cases, the carrier may contact you for additional information, for example to re-confirm your address.

💡Good to know:  If your item will cross an international border, whether to undergo checks or as part of delivery, a handling fee will be applied at checkout. Any applicable handling fees will be no more than €5 per item, or your currency equivalent, and will appear automatically at checkout under ‘Import Duties and Taxes’.

If you choose Direct Shipping

Direct Shipping is available between the UK and the EU.

Below you'll find the VAT rates that will be applied by each country to second-hand items being imported into that country. 

Other countries within Europe but not in the EU already charge import VAT, e.g. Switzerland and Norway. These taxes remain the same.

💡Good to know: Any applicable VAT will appear automatically at checkout under ‘Import Duties and Taxes’.