After a quick look I see the VAT in the EU ranges from 18-27% depending on the country. I was looking at a website that posted the item sales price before VAT and after the VAT. Heck of a tax rate. Besides the VAT are any local sales taxes added on in the European countries or do countries adjust their VAT to include other taxes?

Howa about internet sales, do these have the VAT applied if you are buying within the EU? My watch strap purchase from Germany does not include any taxes, so I will assume internet sales internationally escape the tax. The VAT must be something that took getting a while to accept.

 

In the UK prices aren't listed with and without tax (except perhaps at airports etc).

They're usuallly just listed with the full price which includes 20% vat.

 

Usually in EU you only pay VAT (which usually is included in the price).

I lived in Italy, Germany, Sweden, Croatia, Belgium and Poland. There is only the VAT, we do not have additional taxes (e.g. county rate, state rate,...)

For some goods you can also ask for reimbursement if you are non-EU citizen.

As an example, in many fashion outlets in Italy you get a guide in English on how to get back the VAT from customs.

Same applies into airports on duty free, if you are flying within Europe and you have a non-EU passport you pay lower prices on alcohol and sigarettes.

Cheers

 

Usually no sales tax to add. Certainly in the U.K. it's just vat.

 

How about internet sales within the EU, are these subject to the VAT?

 

You pay local vat at the point of sale with no additional vat added when you import it to another EU country.

Part of the benefit of being within the EU, you don't have the hassle with customs/extra taxes etc.

 

EU websites selling to end consumers have to show the final prices including taxes.

 

All retail prices should include VAT, in any EU country. In some cases, i.e. tobacco, fuel, cars or alcohol, the price shown is likely to include also other taxes.. For most goods, including watches, it will be purely VAT. You pay the VAT in the country where the good is delivered. If you buy online, they will charge the VAT of the country where that company is registered. You'll probably won't even know the rate since retail prices should include VAT. If you live outside of EU, you can get a tax refund. For example, you live in the Statues and you buy a watch in Germany, you pay the tax at the sales point, you show your watch and invoice at the customs point at the airport and you will get a tax refund. Of course you are supposed to declare these goods (and pay tax) again at the point of arrival. VAT (Value added tax) is applied in all EU countries. They started to apply this VAT late 60's early 70's (depending on the country) to replace the tax system they had before.

 

Think I got, so if I am in France and a shirt has a sales tag of 100 Euros the VAT is already in the sales price. I walk out the door paying 100 Euros.

 

Yes, that’s correct

 

Also, your strap purchase from Germany was not charged VAT since it's being exported to the US (I assume). Instead of paying EU VAT, you'll pay US import duty, at least according to the law

 

I'm not sure that sellers automatically remove vat for out of EU purchases.

Also, vat isn't always charged. Private sellers or pseudo dealers selling less than around £70k/year are exempt.

 

1/ no kidding,
2/ no additional taxes - but don’t you think the national one is enough?
3/yes the VAT is applied to internet sales within EU.