Importing furniture - reclaiming VAT

[LICY]

We are almost certainly going to send some furniture out via algarve Removals. When we visited DFS today and said we were sending the sofa to Portugal we were told we could reclaim the 20%VAT. Rather good we thought. However does anyone know if that would then make us liable for IVA at 23%. LICY

[EMM]

I realy doubt as you are moving from one EU country to another that you will be able to claim any VAT.
As with " so called duty free " you are buying a product in the UK " tax paid " as such you would not be due for the difference between UK and Portuguese tax rates.

If you were a UK vat registered company selling to another Portuguese VAT reg company then it might be a different matter.

[jamielyon4]

There is a way to do it, Im not sure its 100% legal, I believe it works like this - if you ship it new still in original packaging and courier signs declaration that its shipped new you can claim VAT back as its exported from UK, you may well have to be VAT registered here...you are then liable for Portuguese VAT when it arrives...however if the courier can unwrap before it arrives ie during transit then it arrives as used and no VAT due....

I listened to a bloke expalining it for ages and still wasnt 100% sure about it, I would be carefull

We bought everything in the UK from businesses that work close to us and paid cash we saved more than the VAT and didnt have the hassle of a claim...DFS wont do a cash deal but do offer stupidly long interest free options

[Aitch]

If you do not pay VAT in UK you are liable for Portuguese IVA, unless you are registered as a business in Portugal, in which case you would only be liable when you sell it on or dispose of it.

Also your seller will require your Fiscal Number, and possibly your business registration in Portugal, to quote on the invoice. (This is to cover them, not you)

[LICY]

There is a way to do it, Im not sure its 100% legal, I believe it works like this - if you ship it new still in original packaging and courier signs declaration that its shipped new you can claim VAT back as its exported from UK, you may well have to be VAT registered here...you are then liable for Portuguese VAT when it arrives...however if the courier can unwrap before it arrives ie during transit then it arrives as used and no VAT due....

I listened to a bloke expalining it for ages and still wasnt 100% sure about it, I would be carefull

We bought everything in the UK from businesses that work close to us and paid cash we saved more than the VAT and didnt have the hassle of a claim...DFS wont do a cash deal but do offer stupidly long interest free options

Thank you EMM. we will not actually be mo ing to Portugal, so remain UK tax layers. the home is a holiday home. however it sounded too good to be true

Both
I think we have to bite the bullet and pay. LICY

[jamielyon4]

There is a way to do it, Im not sure its 100% legal, I believe it works like this - if you ship it new still in original packaging and courier signs declaration that its shipped new you can claim VAT back as its exported from UK, you may well have to be VAT registered here...you are then liable for Portuguese VAT when it arrives...however if the courier can unwrap before it arrives ie during transit then it arrives as used and no VAT due....

I listened to a bloke expalining it for ages and still wasnt 100% sure about it, I would be carefull

We bought everything in the UK from businesses that work close to us and paid cash we saved more than the VAT and didnt have the hassle of a claim...DFS wont do a cash deal but do offer stupidly long interest free options

Thank you EMM. we will not actually be mo ing to Portugal, so remain UK tax layers. the home is a holiday home. however it sounded too good to be true

Both
I think we have to bite the bullet and pay. LICY

Safest option, the VAT man is difficult to deal with if he feels there is a breach. We have jsut done 2.5 containers of furniture including DFS stuff...its a doddle...if you want any contacts for quality furniture at the right price or shipping we can help you

[LICY]

We are going to use Algarve Removals. today we order the sofa, but we are looking at beds and other bits and pieces, including rattan furniture. We would however again check out places like IZI. TV's as I have said on another post seem to be a lot cheaper here even without a guarantee. let us know any furniture outlets you would recommend. Thanks LICY

[laserblazer]

Across the road from SofaVIP in Lagoa, there's a place called Perfect Furniture, or similar. They often have stuff outside the front door. We got some rattan chairs there and our outdoor furniture. They have a big bowl of sweeties on the desk. Mini Easter eggs last holiday I'd say they are Dutch or German, very nice people.

[LICY]

Across the road from SofaVIP in Lagoa, there's a place called Perfect Furniture, or similar. They often have stuff outside the front door. We got some rattan chairs there and our outdoor furniture. They have a big bowl of sweeties on the desk. Mini Easter eggs last holiday I'd say they are Dutch or German, very nice people.

Will check them out when we are out on 27 June. thanks.

[Bruce Wallis]

Across the road from SofaVIP in Lagoa, there's a place called Perfect Furniture, or similar. They often have stuff outside the front door. We got some rattan chairs there and our outdoor furniture. They have a big bowl of sweeties on the desk. Mini Easter eggs last holiday I'd say they are Dutch or German, very nice people.

Will check them out when we are out on 27 June. thanks.

Good luck on that one....if its the 2nd hand place Tricky, Julia and I had a look.....so much bad taste crap in one room!!!
I suppose if you were furnishing a retro Indian restaurant, or a bad taste bordello, it could be useful.....definately not Banstead or Kingswood , darling!!!

[pickwick]

Hi

The place near Sofa VIP is called Perfect Living and the furnishings are of the best quality and the business is owned by a charming Dutch guy. Beds can be bought from a UK based supplier in Lagos (UK manufactured beds - Airsprung etc) and UV stable outdoor ratan/teak furniture from several quality outlets st decent prices. Honestly LICY wait until you come out in June before buying UK items as you will be pleaseantly surprised by the quality, choice and value you can find here! I buy goods and services for UK businesses for a living and have never had to think about importing to Portugal from the UK to get better value!

Pickwick

[LICY]

Hi

The place near Sofa VIP is called Perfect Living and the furnishings are of the best quality and the business is owned by a charming Dutch guy. Beds can be bought from a UK based supplier in Lagos (UK manufactured beds - Airsprung etc) and UV stable outdoor ratan/teak furniture from several quality outlets st decent prices. Honestly LICY wait until you come out in June before buying UK items as you will be pleaseantly surprised by the quality, choice and value you can find here! I buy goods and services for UK businesses for a living and have never had to think about importing to Portugal from the UK to get better value!

Pickwick

I do intend to check the garden furniture, but with 4 years Interest free nothing to pay till January, you know how it is. Also the sofa we picked out which was one of their cheaper materials at Sofa VIP we save on base price about £400. So will you be taking me to all the cheap great places in CVO area in June?

[LICY]

Bruce
Surely you don't think my furniture in the UK is as nice as what I will be having in CVO. This place here is ready for the knackers yard like me at times. It really makes me when I'm getting all this new up to date items why I will still live in a large rubbish property here. LICY

[Ezra]

I am not sure about the VAT and all the legal procedures in your case. I suggest you may contact furniture removalists as they may help you to sort out the matter with ease and will sure help you in your query. So, either ways even you may try searching even online.