Is this VAT reclaimable?

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I recently purchased a laptop and the invoice they issued is confusing. They requested the VAT number during the order so I assumed they are in the EU and won't charge VAT. At the checkout the VAT appeared, so I thought they must be a UK company, no problem. The invoice shows that the company is in Ireland, but the seller VAT number is a  UK VAT number I checked online.

Is that VAT reclaimable in the UK?

The invoice says,

Digital River Ireland Ltd

Shannon

Ireland

VAT GB875205418

Replies (12)

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By ruth.julian
25th May 2017 16:37

Ask HMRC

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By Tim Vane
25th May 2017 17:03

Presumably a Lenovo laptop. Yes it's a VAT receipt. Claim it as normal. Though I'm not sure why you thought they wouldn't charge VAT.

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Replying to Tim Vane:
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By editesztan
25th May 2017 20:20

Sometimes I buy things from other EU countries and they ask for VAT number like on that page and don't charge the VAT, I've never been asked this in any UK online shop before. On top of that my phone played up during the order so I was't sure what is going on.
Thanks for the reply.

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Replying to editesztan:
By Tim Vane
25th May 2017 20:52

editesztan wrote:

Sometimes I buy things from other EU countries and they ask for VAT number like on that page and don't charge the VAT

That's a reverse charge and it only applies to services, not to goods. And you still need to declare it on your VAT return, even though VAT is not charged (although it nets itself off).

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Replying to Tim Vane:
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By Wanderer
26th May 2017 09:11

Tim Vane wrote:

editesztan wrote:

Sometimes I buy things from other EU countries and they ask for VAT number like on that page and don't charge the VAT

That's a reverse charge and it only applies to services, not to goods. And you still need to declare it on your VAT return, even though VAT is not charged (although it nets itself off).

? Surely the OP is referring to it applying to B2B acquisitions of goods from non UK registered EU suppliers?
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Replying to Tim Vane:
Quack
By Constantly Confused
26th May 2017 17:13

Tim Vane wrote:

editesztan wrote:

Sometimes I buy things from other EU countries and they ask for VAT number like on that page and don't charge the VAT

That's a reverse charge and it only applies to services, not to goods. And you still need to declare it on your VAT return, even though VAT is not charged (although it nets itself off).

Have you never bought goods from another EU trader Tim?!?

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abc
By Kim Jong Un's Hair
25th May 2017 17:30

Yes, claim as normal.

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Routemaster image
By tom123
25th May 2017 18:11

It is treated as a UK sale, notwithstanding the parent company (or whatever), so just claim the VAT as normal.

Presumably it is 20%

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RLI
By lionofludesch
25th May 2017 18:15

They're registered in the UK, have a UK VAT number (despite the GB abbreviation) so you're grand to claim.

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By editesztan
25th May 2017 20:21

That's to everyone who replied.

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By DMGbus
25th May 2017 21:54

VAT registration address details as follows:

Member State GB
VAT Number GB 875205418
Date when request received 2017/05/25 22:52:54
Name DIGITAL RIVER IRELAND LIMITED
Address HM REVENUE AND CUSTOMS
RUBY HOUSE
8 RUBY PLACE
ABERDEEN
SCOTLAND
AB10 1ZP

Source: VIES online VAT registration checking service.

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By shaun king
26th May 2017 11:12

All of which shows they are a non established UK company who supply goods from a warehouse in the UK and are registrable for UK VAT and have registered for VAT as a non established business trading in the UK - hence Aberdeen.

So the VAT is recoverable!!

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