Hello all, So I have a strange question but am hopeful that someone on here might be able to help...
We (as in the Internet Society) are trying to donate some routers to ASREN and WACREN (research education networks for the Arab States and West and Central Africa). The routers were donated to us by one of our Organisation Members in the US. The first PoP is going in at London so we shipped the equipment to the UK from the US, before this we received clearance from the US Dept of Commerce (no licenses needed), but now the equipment is sitting in customs in the UK. UK customs have said that unless ASREN and WACREN pay VAT for the equipment or present a VAT exempt certificate the routers will be sent back to the US. The data centre involved has suggested that we pay the VAT and use an organisation to reclaim the VAT, that organisation then takes 27% of the money for their fees - so that's not a possibility for us. So we're sort of at an impasse now and don't know how to help get the equipment released and I guess I was hoping there might be someone on here who has experienced anything similar to this and could offer some advice? To conclude the equipment is donated, for non commercial use and is being donated to not-for-profit organisations. There should be a solution! Oh and we have until Friday. So any help much appreciated! Cheers, Emma
