First import from the EU

[alexalexander]

The rules on tariffs, tax and so on within the EU are set by the EU, given their single market and customs union, not by the couriers and postal services. Whatever your point of view of the EU, it does have a history of being rather protectionist, and it does have a vested interest in making life for the UK as tricky as possible to dissuade other countries from leaving.

Not true. the rules are not set by the EU - they are set by each country independently. For example, VAT is not the same across the EU. and import taxes and tarifs are defined by each country.

 

[Spectric]

But the EU is not going to give the Uk a bed of roses and lots of perks because these are for it's members, if we get an easy time and plain sailing then it could open the floodgates for other members to leave.

The question is that whilst the Eu and the Uk are having issues the real players like China and others are just becoming bigger and bigger economic powerhouses that I think both the Uk and the Eu rely on a lot more than than realise and the real trade will become the chinese silk road as they drive it right through Europe.

 

[Cheshirechappie]

Not true. the rules are not set by the EU - they are set by each country independently. For example, VAT is not the same across the EU. and import taxes and tarifs are defined by each country.

The countries of the EU do indeed set their own rules on VAT and tariffs, but can only do so within the stipulations of the EU directives governing the single market and customs union.

When the UK was part of the EU, we had to follow those rules too. Remember the hoo-ha about 'tampon tax'? The UK could not unilaterally reduce the VAT rate on sanitary products despite public pressure, because we would be in contravention of the EU VAT directives.

 

[alexalexander]

The countries of the EU do indeed set their own rules on VAT and tariffs, but can only do so within the stipulations of the EU directives governing the single market and customs union.

When the UK was part of the EU, we had to follow those rules too. Remember the hoo-ha about 'tampon tax'? The UK could not unilaterally reduce the VAT rate on sanitary products despite public pressure, because we would be in contravention of the EU VAT directives.

Regarding the 'tampon tax'. EU countries have historically not been allowed to create zero rated items but there has been a minimum rate of 5% which any country could have applied to sanitary products if it so wished. The UK didn't do this when it was able to and waited until it became politically expedient to completely remove the tax post brexit. A zero rate has been agreed by the EU parliament but for some reason or other seems not to be enacted till next year. If the countries who have pushed for the zero rate had tried harder maybe it could have been earlier. Notwithstanding, Ireland has already a zero rate on tampons despite the rules.

 

[Cheshirechappie]

There you go then - the EU do set the rules, albeit indirectly, at the moment. The principle of 'ever closer union' will mean increasing tax harmonisation across the EU, to the point where individual countries have no, or virtually no, ability to set or vary their own tax rates.

Same with tariffs. Same with virtually everything else.

 

[Cooper]

why i must pay punitive duty on goods imported from the UK, but not from goods imported from China.

I send stuff to my daughter and grandchildren in Munich, anything unless its marked as a gift seems to be considered a commercial transaction and the courier starts charging extra adding handling fees, even when there is no duty. I sent a batch of 10 amateur paintings and photographs from my parents home on Tuesday, all over 70 years old and not in brilliant condition of no value, other than sentimental. They charged Amy 10 Euros to deliver and it had to be paid within 12 hours or they would send it back to UK . The cynic in me thinks its the courier taking us all for a ride.

 

[TominDales]

That's what an election is for. Both sides show their arguments then the people decide who they believe and what direction they want the country to go. It was on remainers to show an argument why remaining in the EU was best, which they failed to do, especially considering most MSM, politicians and big businesses ere on the remain side. The argument was basically "remain and everything stays the same" which wasn't something most people wanted.

Absolutely correct. We have elections every 4 years or so. If people don't like Brexit, or the government they can vote to change it. In the 1960s and 70s the country couldn't make up its mind on economic policy, so it voted one way then the other and back until in the end it settled on a way forward for a bit. I suspect we will go through a few of these changes voting in a governments that sign up to a lot of treaties bringing the UK in close alignment with the EU (cf Switzerland) and then out again for a while until the population gets a groove they like. In the meantime problems in society cant be blamed on anyone but our own institutions.

 

[alexalexander]

There you go then - the EU do set the rules, albeit indirectly, at the moment. The principle of 'ever closer union' will mean increasing tax harmonisation across the EU, to the point where individual countries have no, or virtually no, ability to set or vary their own tax rates.

Same with tariffs. Same with virtually everything else.

That's only true if you believe that 'ever closer union' will occur. It's a principle that's expounded by a few politicians in the EU and the right wing EU bashing UK press, but it's not the majority view in Europe. The cultural and political differences within the 27 make it difficult so see how it could actually happen - it can't be something imposed EU wide as they all have a veto - and politicians in the countries are not campaigning for it.

 

[Cheshirechappie]

That's only true if you believe that 'ever closer union' will occur. It's a principle that's expounded by a few politicians in the EU and the right wing EU bashing UK press, but it's not the majority view in Europe. The cultural and political differences within the 27 make it difficult so see how it could actually happen - it can't be something imposed EU wide as they all have a veto - and politicians in the countries are not campaigning for it.

If you believe that, you'll believe anything. 'Ever closer union' has been the sole intention ever since the days of Jean Monnet and the European Coal and Steel Community. Each succeeding treaty has brought it one step closer.

 

[alexalexander]

If you believe that, you'll believe anything. 'Ever closer union' has been the sole intention ever since the days of Jean Monnet and the European Coal and Steel Community. Each succeeding treaty has brought it one step closer.

Not a great example to quote. Monet is credited with ideas bringing the European nations together post war and was a strong link between Europe and the United States at that time. But the Schuman plan based on Monet's ideas and the ECSC model were both rejected by the statesmen who organised the EEC in 1957. And as for 'believing anything' - I certainly don't believe you are correct.

 

[Cheshirechappie]

We'll have to agree to disagree, then.

 

[JohnPW]

The EU itself has diplomatic missions and ambassadors all over the world, all enjoying full diplomatic immunity under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations!

Make of that what you will.