Quote:
Originally Posted by mistress-kate
I didn't know anything about the VAT situation but when I shipped back to the UK - the shipping dudes questioned me and then put me onto the customs people who asked how long the bike had been out for. I said 2 years 10 months and they told me that I didn't need to pay VAT on the bike as it was within 3 years. I only know what they told me but I found this on the HMR&C website:
Re-importing a vehicle that was previously exported
You can get Returned Goods Relief for VAT and duty relief if you are importing a vehicle that was previously exported from the EU provided you meet all these conditions:
- the vehicle was taken outside the EU by you within the past three years
- any VAT, duty or equivalent tax had been paid on the vehicle in the EU and was not refunded when the vehicle was taken outside the EU
- the vehicle has had no alteration outside the EU other than necessary running repairs
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I'm sure we could start splitting hairs whether somebody has actually "exported" their bike just because they are riding it outside the EU for whatever length of time.  Should I re-enter the UK with a UK bike having been outside the EU, I'll make sure I say it was a lot less than 3 years.
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