what size shoe is classed as adult size?

dibuzz

kingfisherblue wrote: »

My eleven year old son has size 11 feet, so I've been paying VAT on his shoes for years

I've always had the same problem, my kids were all very young when they went into adult sizes.

claire16c

Its generally size 3 for women as thats the size womens shoes start at so if the shoes are unisex it makes sense.

tanith

I often choose shoes up to size 6 from the childrens dept and don't get charged VAT on them..

zaksmum

Wonder if it's worth contacting Office for clarification?

erdd2

This has been a contentious issue for decades, in general people are now taller with larger dress and shoe size. Many non obese children of primary school age are of a size that incurs VAT. As ever the strict guidelines to prevent unfair advantages are at the expense of innocents

coolcait

I know that, in the past, I've tried to buy summer canvas shoes from the girls' section, but found them to be smaller than the equivalent size (same style) in the ladies' section.

That was a few years ago now (haven't bothered trying since then!), so it might have changed. Or I might just have been unlucky.

Otherwise, it might be that the actual size of children's shoes is in fact slightly different from the actual size of adults' shoes - even if it says the same number on the label.

That would certainly make it easier to understand why you have to pay VAT on some shoes in a certain size range, but others are VAT-free.

Interesting topic.

luxor4t

VAT is charged on school uniform too! That was painful, my kids were all tall with larger feet so we were penalised.

Mrs_Ryan

I have some Timberland boots, size 6, which are kids' ones and they were about half the price of the adult ones... I suppose it varies from shop to shop, I bought mine online so I have no idea whether they had VAT charged or not but they look exactly the same as the adults' ones, no difference at all...

swimsink

I couldn't be sure but i have a couple of very short friends who are a size 3 and have bought expensive shoes (ugg boots & the such) in childs size 3 in order to cut the price dramatically. However a lot of stores have rules against this and won't let an adult try on a childs size 2/3/4? ridiculous if you ask me!

zaksmum

luxor4t wrote: »

VAT is charged on school uniform too! That was painful, my kids were all tall with larger feet so we were penalised.

Surely not on school uniform???:eek:

How can that possibly be right if school uniform is solely for kids and kids clothing doesn't carry VAT?