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<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=101051612-03082007><FONT face=Arial
color=#0000ff size=2>Thomas:</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=101051612-03082007><FONT face=Arial
color=#0000ff size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=101051612-03082007><FONT face=Arial
color=#0000ff size=2>Actually, speaking as someone who imports electronic
components and peripherals for prototype systems from the US all the time, I do
know what to expect when I import.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=101051612-03082007><FONT face=Arial
color=#0000ff size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=101051612-03082007><FONT face=Arial
color=#0000ff size=2>Importation of computer devices and peripherals to the EU
is indeed both VAT and import duty exempt - it appears that the description of
the goods, compounded with the value statement, has led to this issue. It is
indeed OpenMoko's error in not understanding the rules and I hold them
responsible for not disclosing that fact.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=101051612-03082007><FONT face=Arial
color=#0000ff size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=101051612-03082007><FONT face=Arial
color=#0000ff size=2>When I can import USD$50,000 prototypes for computer
peripheral units without paying VAT and without paying import duty, I expect to
be able to do the same for a USD$450 prototype.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=101051612-03082007><FONT face=Arial
color=#0000ff size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Arial><FONT color=#0000ff><FONT size=2><SPAN
class=101051612-03082007>Not to get into a flame war but, for your reference,
VAT is 17.5% in the UK....</SPAN>a<SPAN class=101051612-03082007>nd I ordered
the Advanced...</SPAN></FONT></FONT></FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Arial><FONT color=#0000ff><FONT size=2><SPAN
class=101051612-03082007></SPAN></FONT></FONT></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Arial><FONT color=#0000ff><FONT size=2><SPAN
class=101051612-03082007>Have fun!</SPAN></FONT></FONT></FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Arial><FONT color=#0000ff><FONT size=2><SPAN
class=101051612-03082007></SPAN></FONT></FONT></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Arial><FONT color=#0000ff><FONT size=2><SPAN
class=101051612-03082007>David.</SPAN></FONT></FONT></FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=101051612-03082007><FONT face=Arial
color=#0000ff size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV><BR>
<DIV class=OutlookMessageHeader lang=en-us dir=ltr align=left>
<HR tabIndex=-1>
<FONT face=Tahoma size=2><B>From:</B> Thomas Gstädtner
[mailto:thomas@gstaedtner.net] <BR><B>Sent:</B> 03 August 2007
13:12<BR><B>To:</B> David Prior<BR><B>Cc:</B>
community@lists.openmoko.org<BR><B>Subject:</B> Re: Import Duty - I have refused
my delivery.<BR></FONT><BR></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>Well, you chose to live in the wrong country (or the wrong
continent). You should know what expects you if YOU IMPORT a device.<BR>This is
not the fault of OpenMoko (Inc.).<BR>Also there is no duty on computing devices
and mobile phones in the EU - so I guess you are wrong. <BR>GBP60 sounds like
VAT (15.5% in UK), seems you have ordered the basic device, so this IS VAT, no
duty!<BR>VAT is levied by your country, not by FIC/OpenMoko and if you chose to
import you WILL have to pay VAT every time - and the one you import from doesn't
have to find out for you how much it is (as it is charged by the customs, not by
the company). <BR><BR><BR>
<DIV><SPAN class=gmail_quote>2007/8/3, <A
href="mailto:David.Prior@generaldynamics.uk.com">David.Prior@generaldynamics.uk.com</A>
<<A
href="mailto:David.Prior@generaldynamics.uk.com">David.Prior@generaldynamics.uk.com
</A>>:</SPAN>
<BLOCKQUOTE class=gmail_quote
style="PADDING-LEFT: 1ex; MARGIN: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0.8ex; BORDER-LEFT: rgb(204,204,204) 1px solid">
<DIV>
<P><FONT face=Arial size=2>Just thought you all might like to know that
OpenMoko shipments are attracting import duty in the United Kingdom.</FONT>
</P>
<P><FONT face=Arial size=2>Despite paying USD104.99 for 'expedited' shipping,
my order arrived with a demand for GBP57.19 in import duty. This should either
be factored into the shipping charge or, as these devices are technically
'computer peripherals', described as 'computer peripherals' in order that they
do not attract import duty. </FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=Arial size=2>I have REFUSED my delivery and it is being returned
to the depot and, presumably, will be returned to sender.</FONT> </P>
<P><FONT face=Arial size=2>I either want a new shipment that does not attract
import duty *or* I want a full refund.</FONT> </P>
<P><FONT face=Arial size=2>I know these are developer releases but I would
have hoped that OpenMoko would have sorted out the international shipping
issues properly.</FONT></P><BR>
<P><FONT face=Arial size=2>I'm annoyed!</FONT> </P>
<P><FONT face=Arial size=2>David.</FONT> </P>
<DIV>
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