Import Duty & VAT within EU?

[JonH]

Sorry if this has been answered elsewhere, but am I right in thinking that goods bought online from within the EU are not subject to Import Duty and VAT?

I'm seriously considering ordering a scope from AMP in Germany and don't want any nasty surprises. Sadly no one in the UK appears to stock the Antares 127/1200 achromat, or do they???

Thanks in advance,

Jon

[michael.h.f.wilkinson]

There should be no import duty within the EU. Check shipping costs though, they can be costly to the UK. BTW, I trust you mean APM. They are very reliable in my experience.

[Rols]

go and collect it, probably make a nice weekend and you dont have worry about the boxes getting smashed up along the way..

you can ferry UK to Germany via Amsterdam in luxury with your car and another person for Around £130.00

[Naz]

VAT or what ever it is called is paid in the country (within the EU) off purchase, no further taxes to be paid, just keep your receipt. It is all to do with the free movement of goods and services.

[JonH]

Thanks guys, and yes Michael, I meant APM. Doh!

The shipping is a hefty €95 which is a bit of a bummer.

Great idea Rols, a weekend in Germany would be great but the fuel cost would be horrendous.

[michael.h.f.wilkinson]

Thanks guys, and yes Michael, I meant APM. Doh!

The shipping is a hefty €95 which is a bit of a bummer.

Great idea Rols, a weekend in Germany would be great but the fuel cost would be horrendous.

I noticed their shipping costs to the UK are WAY out of line with those in the Netherlands, where I live. I paid 9 euros shipping costs on my APM 80mm + flattener. I really do not know why the shipping to the UK costs so much.

[JonH]

I thought it was steep. After checking their shipping calculator, the quote was (I think) €44 for 10kg, yet became €78 once I added the scope to the cart. I also added a carrying case for €89 which bumped the total shipping up to €95.

Trouble is, I haven't been able to find either of these items for sale in the UK.

[michael.h.f.wilkinson]

You could check out Teleskop-Service, they stock that scope:

Achromatic refractor - 127/1200mm - 2' Crayford focuser

[JonH]

Thanks, I have and they are out of stock. TBH, I haven't checked with APM yet to see if they it. I really want the scope in time for SGL 6.

[derekm]

I bought an 8" Dob from Teleskop Service back in 2004 and the shipping for the two huge boxes was only €50, no dearer in fact than UK inland shipping for the same scope!

[JonH]

Thanks for that Derek. I've emailed to check if they actually have the scope in stock and also for confirmation of the shipping costs.