<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="border-left: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); margin: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0.8ex; padding-left: 1ex;">
<div>
<div dir="ltr" align="left"><span><font color="#0000ff" face="Arial" size="2">Thomas:</font></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" align="left"><span><font color="#0000ff" face="Arial" size="2"></font></span> </div>
<div dir="ltr" align="left"><span><font color="#0000ff" face="Arial" 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></blockquote><div><br>Then you shouldn't be surprised. :) <br></div><br><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="border-left: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); margin: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0.8ex; padding-left: 1ex;">
<div><div dir="ltr" align="left"><span><font color="#0000ff" face="Arial" size="2">Importation of computer devices and peripherals to the EU
is indeed both VAT and import duty exempt -</font></span></div></div></blockquote><div><br>No it isn't - it's only duty exempt, as customer (and that's what you are here), you have to pay VAT.<br></div><br><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="border-left: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); margin: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0.8ex; padding-left: 1ex;">
<div><div dir="ltr" align="left"><span><font color="#0000ff" face="Arial" size="2"> 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></blockquote><div><br>Well, this is a kind of "developer hardware preview". Definitely everyone knew this fact. And imho(!) everyone should know what to expect, when he confirmed the order.
<br></div><br><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="border-left: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); margin: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0.8ex; padding-left: 1ex;"><div><div dir="ltr" align="left"><span><font color="#0000ff" face="Arial" 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></blockquote><div><br>No, you can't. You import the prototypes as company - and you imported the Neo as customer (at least I guess so, because everybody else did).
<br>That's my understanding of this process, and that's how it is in germany (and in the most other EU countries).<br></div><br><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="border-left: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); margin: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0.8ex; padding-left: 1ex;">
<div><div dir="ltr" align="left"><font face="Arial"><font color="#0000ff"><font size="2"><span>Not to get into a flame war but, for your reference,
VAT is 17.5% in the UK....</span>a<span>nd I ordered
the Advanced...</span></font></font></font></div></div></blockquote><div><br>My fault - had something else in mind and just estimated. <br>And flaming was not what I intended, so sorry if it sounded like that.<br></div>
<br><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="border-left: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); margin: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0.8ex; padding-left: 1ex;"><div><div dir="ltr" align="left"><font face="Arial"><font color="#0000ff"><font size="2">
<span>Have fun!</span></font></font></font></div></div></blockquote><div><br>I do :) <br></div><br><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="border-left: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); margin: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0.8ex; padding-left: 1ex;">
<div><div dir="ltr" align="left"><font face="Arial"><font color="#0000ff"><font size="2"><span>David.</span></font></font></font></div>
<div dir="ltr" align="left"><span><font color="#0000ff" face="Arial" size="2"></font></span> </div><br>
<div dir="ltr" align="left" lang="en-us">
<hr>
<font face="Tahoma" size="2"><b>From:</b> Thomas Gstädtner
[mailto:<a href="mailto:thomas@gstaedtner.net" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">thomas@gstaedtner.net</a>] <br><b>Sent:</b> 03 August 2007
13:12<br><b>To:</b> David Prior<br><b>Cc:</b>
<a href="mailto:community@lists.openmoko.org" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">community@lists.openmoko.org</a><br><b>Subject:</b> Re: Import Duty - I have refused
my delivery.<br></font><br></div><div><span class="e" id="q_1142baba1750675a_1">
<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" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">David.Prior@generaldynamics.uk.com</a>
<<a href="mailto:David.Prior@generaldynamics.uk.com" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">David.Prior@generaldynamics.uk.com
</a>>:</span>
<blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="border-left: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); margin: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0.8ex; padding-left: 1ex;">
<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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