VAT-free Shopping

kah22

It's early days yet but I wonder if the Government's launching of VAT-free shopping will apply to those who live in the Irish Republic ie they are after all EU citizens, just like France, Italy, etc.  Will the be able to pop over the border and buy all their booze, computers, televisions and so on and save 20 percent of what we pay ?

Mnoee

First article I found about it says it's England, Scotland and Wales only. They'll have to pop on a plane or boat. 

https://www.independent.ie/business/irish/well-save-a-fortune-on-vat-free-goods-in-britain-under-new-tax-regime-but-northern-ireland-not-included-42012684.html 

qwert_yuiop

It’s already been declared that it won’t apply to N. Ireland - too difficult to deal with potentially huge numbers apparently. Also, it’d probably rock the protocol boat a bit too much.
Now that the pound seems to be going down the road of the Turkish lira, it’s going to be interesting to see how our economy profits. Still in the single market, with a currency devaluation. Exports should take off.

Exodi

Liz has only been in government 3 weeks and she's already wiped out half the ozone layer.

"This means Irish visitors to London will be able to get a new iPhone 14 Pro for just £879.20 (€987), but the same device in Belfast’s Victoria Square Apple store will cost £1,099 (€1,237)."

Considering a return flight to Belfast is about £50 - £100, you'd save about £150 on this iPhone purchase just spending the day flying back and forth, compared to buying it directly in Belfast.

Madness.

ballyblack

Considering a return flight to Belfast 

you may have to prove you are using a Dublin ROI  flight not Belfast?

Mnoee

ballyblack said:

Considering a return flight to Belfast 

you may have to prove you are using a Dublin ROI  flight not Belfast?

I don't think the airport would matter, just where you live, which they're presumably checking somehow other than passport, or people who live in NI with an Irish passport would be eligible. If all you need to do is fly from an ROI airport... That's £8 and a few hours on a bus from Belfast. 

It seems like it'll be difficult to implement, however they end up doing it. 

qwert_yuiop

Until it’s abandoned

qwert_yuiop

There would be nothing to stop you making up an address. Even if you had an Irish republic prsi number, equivalent to an ni number, like me, it doesn’t necessarily mean you live there. Unworkable.