Heated Hose and VAT

[Grumpy]

Just got my heated hose today, 139 Aussie Dollars or about 80 quid.
However there was a sting in the tail as I had to pay £14.25 VAT plus an £8.00 handling charge to the Royal Mail.
Turns out only registered charities can buy Medical Equipment without having to pay VAT.

[Tigers Fan]

Absolutely not true!

Hi Grumpy

Medical equipment is zero rated for VAT, end of. The only problem may be in convincing a Customs Offcer that a heated hose really is med. equip.

You can claim your VAT back frorm Customs and Excise. Tell them that you imported med.equip. under code 901890850.

When you import CPAP stuff, have the seller use that code on the Customs Declaration and your parcel will arrive at your door unimpeded. All ten of mine have, anyway! - including a heated hose.

TF

[Grumpy]

something might have changed?

If you got to http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/index.htm
and put 'VAT on medical equipment' in the search box; then trawl through a few of the links you will get a different picture.