Better import agent than UPS to deal with VAT import in UK?
Hi everyone,
I am reaching out because I have a problem on VAT payment when importing my products to the UK. In a nutshell, I am required by UPS to pay VAT in advance to the custom. I can later reclaim the VAT hopefully, but this has a huge impact on my cash management.
Import agents should normally be able to mitigate that matter by using a postponed VAT system. I have been chasing UPS for months now but was never able to have them doing so.
Do you have any good carrier / import agent to recommend that is able to deal with that matter properly?
Cheers
3 replies
Seller_saK5Ah2SaNYjL
I use Rohlig (google them) although I still have to pay VAT when the container arrives. The port has to be paid VAT before they release the container. I doubt you will find any company that will foot the VAT bill until you can afford it.
Seller_qqCKaiyZvp4Rc
I had a nightmare with ups, dhl are so much better if you can import with them
UPS customer service is non existent
Seller_Ho876pPx0Ncwb
Thank you for letting me know. I’ll try Rohlig & DHL on that matter.
@Aroha, to your point about VAT bill, this is not about having someone being flexible until I can pay. This is about using a different system that is allowed by HMRC, the scheme is called postponed VAT Accounting. Here are some details about it here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/check-when-you-can-account-for-import-vat-on-your-vat-return.
In summary, any business registered for VAT in the UK can avoid paying Import VAT, by simply notifying import agents that you wish to use postponed VAT Accounting. You must then subscribe to the Customs Declaration Service here https://www.gov.uk/guidance/get-access-to-the-customs-declaration-service to obtain your import statements to include on your VAT return.
So that’s what I am looking for here, a carrier that is flexible enough to follow this procedure instead of just making “dumb payments” like UPS does.
