Buy goods from overseas

How to record goods imported from outside the UK.

The rules for importing goods from outside the UK vary depending on whether your base is in Great Britain or Northern Ireland

GB based businesses

• You'll most likely pay import VAT and duty
• This is usually payable on or soon after the goods arrive in the UK
• UK VAT registered businesses can use postponed accounting for VAT on imported goods
  This means you can pay and reclaim VAT in one go, rather than paying import VAT on or soon after the goods arrive at the UK border
• Different rules apply if the total value of your goods is less than £135

Northern based businesses

• When you purchase goods from a VAT registered business in the EU, there is no import VAT charge. You still need to declare it on your VAT Return. You do this using reverse charge VAT
• When you purchase goods from Great Britain or the rest of the world:
  You may have to pay import VAT if the goods you import are subject to VAT in the UK
  The import VAT is payable soon after the goods arrive in NI
  UK VAT registered businesses can use postponed accounting to account for VAT on imported goods

Record the import goods for GB businesses

Purchase goods over £135 from overseas (GB) >

Purchase goods under £135 from overseas (GB) >

Record invoice from an import agent >

Postponed accounting for Great Britain businesses >

Record import of goods for NI based businesses

Purchase goods from an EU business (NI) >

Purchase goods from Great Britain and rest of the world (NI) >

Postponed accounting for Northern Ireland businesses >