Chinese ebay seller listing some other companies VAT number
Discussion
I run a ebay/Amazon business and understand how the country is losing loads in VAT to these sellers but can a chinese seller just paste in any VAT number into their company info on Ebay.
I am looking to buy two laser cutter/engravers and found a seller with a UK VAT number that is valid for "Sanven Corporation LTD", I thought i would just double check they would supply a VAT invoice before making the purchase of £2938. I already had a hunch they would not be able to and right enough they cannot.
The listing if anyone wants a look - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/60W-CO2-LASER-ENGRAVING-...
There is another seller with the same setup, UK VAT number registered to a UK company with no accounts filed. Surely Ebay should stop this? or am i missing something?
I am looking to buy two laser cutter/engravers and found a seller with a UK VAT number that is valid for "Sanven Corporation LTD", I thought i would just double check they would supply a VAT invoice before making the purchase of £2938. I already had a hunch they would not be able to and right enough they cannot.
The listing if anyone wants a look - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/60W-CO2-LASER-ENGRAVING-...
There is another seller with the same setup, UK VAT number registered to a UK company with no accounts filed. Surely Ebay should stop this? or am i missing something?
caziques said:
Don't see why it's your job to oversee if another entity is complying with VAT matters.
I would have thought if you purchase and reclaim VAT there wouldn't be a problem.
You can't reclaim VAT if you haven't paid it. If the seller is not able to provide a correct VAT receipt, with their own correct VAT number, then again you can't claim it.I would have thought if you purchase and reclaim VAT there wouldn't be a problem.
caziques said:
The ebay seller has done a lot of trades surely you can assume they are legit?
Oh god no, there are a large number of overseas eBay sellers, including Chinese, that are evading VAT on large volumes of sales. A quick search shows up many hits. Try this to start.They're saying the item is in Portsmouth which would suggest a UK sale, which might well be a VAT-able supply depending on the VAT status of the seller.
There is a valid GB Vat registration on the page.
Given that there is a £450.00 express international postage charge, it's probably safe to say that the item is not in the UK at all, and accordingly "you" would be liable for any duty and VAT at the point of entry to the UK.
The fact that they have said they will not provide a VAT invoice supports the assumption that they will be shipping this to you from outside the UK.
There is a valid GB Vat registration on the page.
Given that there is a £450.00 express international postage charge, it's probably safe to say that the item is not in the UK at all, and accordingly "you" would be liable for any duty and VAT at the point of entry to the UK.
The fact that they have said they will not provide a VAT invoice supports the assumption that they will be shipping this to you from outside the UK.
mickytruelove said:
I run a ebay/Amazon business and understand how the country is losing loads in VAT to these sellers but can a chinese seller just paste in any VAT number into their company info on Ebay.
I am looking to buy two laser cutter/engravers and found a seller with a UK VAT number that is valid for "Sanven Corporation LTD", I thought i would just double check they would supply a VAT invoice before making the purchase of £2938. I already had a hunch they would not be able to and right enough they cannot.
The listing if anyone wants a look - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/60W-CO2-LASER-ENGRAVING-...
There is another seller with the same setup, UK VAT number registered to a UK company with no accounts filed. Surely Ebay should stop this? or am i missing something?
Sanven Corporation LTD which is who they say they are can be found on companies house, but as you say they haven't filed accounts yet. I am looking to buy two laser cutter/engravers and found a seller with a UK VAT number that is valid for "Sanven Corporation LTD", I thought i would just double check they would supply a VAT invoice before making the purchase of £2938. I already had a hunch they would not be able to and right enough they cannot.
The listing if anyone wants a look - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/60W-CO2-LASER-ENGRAVING-...
There is another seller with the same setup, UK VAT number registered to a UK company with no accounts filed. Surely Ebay should stop this? or am i missing something?
The vat number on their listing also ties in with companies house information:
Member State GB
VAT Number GB 239308303
Date when request received 2016/05/16 23:16:17
Name SANVEN CORPORATION LTD
Address 21A BLAKE STREET
YORK
YO1 8QJ
Was it these that said they wouldn't provide a vat receipt? Seems odd, as it looks above board on the face of it.
Yeah thats them.
By the looks of it if you click the seller information drop down near the VAT number on the ebay listing they have a Chinese address.
The machines are in portsmouth ready to ship. They are just avoiding VAT and corp tax. Turns out this model is repeated across europe and if you google "sanven corporation gmbh" they have a company in germany, not trading, with a VAT number. But all funds go straight to a chinese Paypal never to be seen again or taxed.
in summary, this country is buggered. right up the wrong'un.
By the looks of it if you click the seller information drop down near the VAT number on the ebay listing they have a Chinese address.
The machines are in portsmouth ready to ship. They are just avoiding VAT and corp tax. Turns out this model is repeated across europe and if you google "sanven corporation gmbh" they have a company in germany, not trading, with a VAT number. But all funds go straight to a chinese Paypal never to be seen again or taxed.
in summary, this country is buggered. right up the wrong'un.
it costs pennies to setup a ltd company.
who knows if it's a shell company or a legit company that knows nothing of this scam.
so no1 you wont get tax back, and if you want your stuff, you'll need to pay the import duty before they will release it.
I bet it'll stay in customs long after whatever paypals claimback period it. sounds dodgier than a dodgy thing.
tell them you'll pick it up in persons as it's just down the road.
who knows if it's a shell company or a legit company that knows nothing of this scam.
so no1 you wont get tax back, and if you want your stuff, you'll need to pay the import duty before they will release it.
I bet it'll stay in customs long after whatever paypals claimback period it. sounds dodgier than a dodgy thing.
tell them you'll pick it up in persons as it's just down the road.
Anything coming from China will get vat charged there's no out on that. A UK company quoting another UK company's vat number would be a bigger issue. Or for that matter an eu company providing a false vat number and getting a UK company to incorrectly fill out their economic sales list.
Out of curiosity I've had a look and this is a relatively successful seller who has some amazing kit ! The vat reg company has an odd office in York that has some kind of Chinese business trading within and could be a Chinese accountants.
I can't fathom how the happy customers have been served unless private ones with no use or quality issues.
I can't fathom how the happy customers have been served unless private ones with no use or quality issues.
mickytruelove said:
i think you have the wrong end of the stick.
They are simply listing a VAT number belonging to another company. The items they sell are imported already and are in portsmouth ready to deliver in UK.
The VAT number listed agrees to the company details on the listing though doesn't it? They are simply listing a VAT number belonging to another company. The items they sell are imported already and are in portsmouth ready to deliver in UK.
It looks as if the company number and vat number are legit, but whether they are declaring the sales correctly is another matter.
I'd be more concerned about the service and back up if the machines don't operate to spec, or at all, given the range of goods they sell and the slightly less than perfect English in the listings (expecting that if there are technical issues to be solved a common language might help).
Would you be covered for a refund as a commercial punter?
Would you be covered for a refund as a commercial punter?
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