Hi Emma, TALK about History repeating itself!
I wonder if you cite this project is part of the TIP project (1975) of Peter Kirstein they might waive the VAT? See slide 24 in http://www0.cs.ucl.ac.uk/staff/p.kirstein/talks/Arpahistorytalk.ppt The VAT Saga By late 1975, Treasury decided VAT on original TIP was payable Could be reversed only by political decision After much more argument,Treasury agreed to my arguments and stated: All present and future imports under this project would be free of VAT and Duty Allowed us to maintain control of project ........\ ... HMRC might be tough to convince this shipment is part of TIP though.. If you want I am prepared to talk to them if you get in touch with the case details (shipping invoice, case reference, etc) There might just be a glimmer How charities can import goods VAT-free http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/charities/vat/import.htm This looks phrased for a UK registered charity not a US NFP. Worth a call but I am not confident. Christian 07989-386778 Emma Frost wrote: > > 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 >
