Well, wasn't that a big mistake! Why on earth did the UK leave the EU? It's made life for small businesses like Plasma Music Limited, quite a bit more difficult. Anyway, we all need to get on with it, I guess.
Okay, so now VAT is NOT applicable on sales to the EU but EU customers may have to pay import duty.
VAT is a standard percentage of the selling price; 20% here in the UK, 19% in Germany, 22% in Italy and four rates in France, for example.
Import duty however, is in my experience, considerably more unpredictable and I'm afraid I simply am unable to estimate charges for different countries. It also should be noted that couriers often charge a 'processing' fee when charging import duty. Hmm... of course they do!
When customers send me equipment to be repaired, I request that they select 'Export for Repair' on the customs declaration. This avoids me paying customs duty when I receive the item.
When returning equipment that has been repaired, I select 'Return After Repair' on the customs declaration. This means that if import duty is charged, the customer will only pay for the work I have done (the price on my invoice) and will exclude the value of the item that was sent to me.
UPDATE - July 2026
As of 1st July 2026, the €150 customs duty exemption will be abolished. All goods sold to non-business customers and of a value below €150 will be subject to tax. This will apply to each item declared and NOT the value of the entire shipment.
To ensure that purchases are received by customers quickly and with minimal fuss, I am choosing to pay import duties when I book shipping. It is with deep regret therefore, that I have reluctantly been forced to increase my shipping prices to the EU. The average increase from 1st July 2026, is between 59% (for very low value items) and 21%. I can't begin to express my upset as I'm forced to take this decision.