AliExpress now charging VAT

[Mister880]

I just bought something from Cloudray laser and they didn't charge VAT at source but it was added upon arrival, as well as duty :-(. I was hoping it would slip through the net but it wasn't to be.
Interestingly enough, when looking at their site and adding stuff to the basket, some items have a tax added but some don't. It didn't occur to me at the time that it might be VAT. It just said 'tax' nothing more. I'll go back in and see if the tax amount equals 20%.

[Gary]

This is a direct consequence of foreign suppliers, stating the wrong VAT value and defrauding HMRC of VAT revenue.
As well as Defrauding HMRC, it also puts a lot of pressure on UK companies who are already at a disadvantage.

I just bought something from Cloudray laser and they didn't charge VAT at source but it was added upon arrival, as well as duty :-(. I was hoping it would slip through the net but it wasn't to be.
Interestingly enough, when looking at their site and adding stuff to the basket, some items have a tax added but some don't. It didn't occur to me at the time that it might be VAT. It just said 'tax' nothing more. I'll go back in and see if the tax amount equals 20%.