VAT on imported art

lleyden

Hi VAT experts!
I recently purchased a picture (around 80 years old) from an auction in Canada. I have been charged VAT on the picture value by the shipper which i am surprised at. I am not a business nor registered for VAT and the picture is to hang on my wall not for resale, and its not a new item.
Is this charge correct?

le_loup

If you bought it in this country would you expect to pay VAT?
Just because it's for your own use does not make something outside the scope of VAT.

JasonLVC

If people could avoid VAT by simply buying their goods/gifts from outside of the UK/EU then everyone would do it.

So, the way VAT works is that any goods that are imported into the country have VAT applied to them at the point they enter the UK.

Goods which would not be subject to VAT in the UK if bought in the UK (like food, newspapers), could be imported from outside UK into the UK VAT free, but everything else would be VATable.

That way, there is no dis-incentive to not buy locally.

Sorry if you've incurred extrsa costs as a result, but I am sure the artwork on the wall will still be worth it.