"What is Australia's VAT number?" Topic

Looking to make a sizable order from an Italian vendor, and living in Australia I've asked to not have VAT added. I've been asked for the VAT number for Australia – anyone got any ideas what that would be?

I've googled the subject and haven't had a lot of specific luck as to what the number is though I do now have a better understanding of EU tax!

Didn't know there was one! I *thought* the deal was that VAT was waived if goods were shipped to an address outside that jurisdiction.

Such "VAT numbers" are only supposed to be used for business-to-business transactions inside the EU, so I'm guessing the poor vendor has no idea how to do the paperwork for deducting VAT from out of EU exports.

Interesting. They've specifi8cally said they can only wave the VAT if I supply a VAT number (and that it was an Italian requirement). The payment, made by Paypal I thought would of been enough to prove I was in Australia. The shipping address will be Australia if that wasn't good enough. But they're insisting I supply this number.

I don't want to say anything to indicate the vendor is bad, he's been a real sport so far. But I don't want to pay EU taces when I don't have to.

I'm not surprised by that at all.

My guess is that the requirement is probably legit, and is stacked against you (and other non-EU customers) on purpose.

I shall refrain from commenting further, in order to avoid irritating other well-meaning Italians, but they will know what I mean, I imagine.

link

As far as I understand there is no need to charge vat on goods send from EU member countries to non-members.
You can google from there should your time be worth the money and the hassle with italien bureaucracy and its probable poor italien victim, your vendor.
;-)

VAT numbers are only for EU countries – and are only needed by companies over a certain turnover level (about £65k a year in the UK).

For exports outside the EU, then the shipping + invoice address should be sufficient to get VAT waived.

It may be more difficult in practice due to difficulties with invoicing software and with the paperwork required by the vendor.

[1] There is no VAT number for Australia as it's not a member of the EU and countries don't have VAT numbers.

[2] All Italian businesses must be registered for VAT (or IVA) which is levied at 20%.

[3] Goods are zero-rated when exported outside the EU or to a VAT registered business within another EU country.

[4] A delivery address outside the EU is sufficient for proof of export.

[5] It's the suppliers job to get the paperwork right.

I suspect the retailer doesn't do a lot of business outside the EU, is unfamiliar with the rules and is solely looking to cover themselves against a future VAT / IVA liability.

--
Martin Stephenson
Vexillia: Wargames Miniatures & Accessories
vexillia.ltd.uk
vexilliagallery.blogspot.com
pikeandplunder.blogspot.com

Thank you all for your responses. I guess it becomes a question of whether or not I want to take the 20% hit plus the 30% postage. Shame for the guy really, it's a great range that I was about to spend big on.

Martin is spot on, I had a business that sent goods outside the EU regularly and the rules are as stated.

regards

jim

666

He may be looking for the 'country code' or some such value. There is an entry for that on some of the customs forms but, as Martin says, it shouldn't be needed for removing VAT.

As I have been busy, establishing myself with Figures In Comfort, I have had to take an unhealthy interest in this issue!
The supplier should not charge VAT on non-EU countries and is exactly as Martin says it should be. The purchaser has no requirements or liabilities in doing this, the supplier has all the 'paperwork' to do.
In fact my accountant advised me that it could mean some interesting questions from Her Majesties Inland Revenue for me if I charged VAT where I should not be!

Erik

Is VAT included in the listed price (like the GST is here in AUS) or is it like US sales tax and applied at the point of sale?

Is VAT included in the listed price (like the GST is here in AUS) or is it like US sales tax and applied at the point of sale?

If the items are generally sold to individuals then VAT is included in the price. If they are targeted at businesses then the VAT is excluded from the advertised price. There are fuzzy areas (such as PCs) where both prices are given.

Definitely a consumer transaction. Basically I'm trying to buy an Arab FoG army from Legio Heroica. Great figures, but Gus is insisting that the Italian govt will only allow a VAT free transaction if I provide Australia's VAT number – which we know does not exist. Again I should say I've yet to see any evidence that Gus and LH are being anything but above board.

I've contacted the EU delegation in Australia as the Italian consulate and embassy do not speak to people on the phone (and it seems don't answer emails either).

Anyone know of anyone else stocking the Legio Heroica arab range?

If all they need is a number for the Form then give 'em your post code as a number – call it "Australia's VAT Number" – you're after the figures not stupid paperwork for governments.

Merry Christmas,

Nick (who finds stupid government paperwork a silly waste of valuable time – regardless of the government or location)

Doesn't Vexillia stock Legio Heroica? At least, they did at one stage. I've always found them (Vexillia) very easy and reliable to deal with from the other side of the world.

Vexillia dropped them earlier, a shame as they've got a very good rep here in Australia.

Vexillia is correct.

Gus is insisting that the Italian govt will only allow a VAT free transaction if I provide Australia's VAT number

You could ask him to talk with Claudio from Baueda ( baueda.com ) He speaks good english and understands how euro VAT works in Italy as he sends stuff to me without charging VAT.

I'm going to go with Nick's idea and give him my postcode, he's told me that he can't do it without the number so I will make one up.

My suspicion is that the 20% VAT is pure profit for the company. They do not have to report the tax since there is no tax on shipments outside of Europe. Works the same way in Canada.