Starting a business that needs to import goods or services to the UK can be difficult during these competitive times but understanding the number of eu countries that follow vat can help reduce costs Www.vatcontrol.com/vat/. You will easily be in a position to track tax systems that are a lot like your own while also claiming vat refunds for previously paid vat abroad.
There are many countries in the eu which adhere to the system of vat. Although the language employed in the vat invoice might differ in addition to vat rates, the system followed is almost the same Http://www.vatcontrol.com/vat/. This list of countries in the EU which have adopted the system of vat are Estonia, Denmark, Bulgaria, Ireland, Latvia, Poland, Spain, Italy, Luxembourg, Belgium, Hungary, Slovak Republic, Czech Republic, Portugal, Sweden, Finland, Slovenia, Austria, Netherlands, Greece, Germany, France, Romania, Malta, Lithuania, and Cyprus. Some territories in this particular set of eu countries have however opted to remain out of the vat gambit. You can go to the hmrc vat or hm revenue and customs web site to read about such territories.
One major advantage that you have when importing goods from such eu countries is that any vat that you might have paid in the particular country may be refunded to you by that country once you file for a vat reclaim. This process can be handled by a professional vat agent who has offices in the UK as well as in other countries from where your imports come about 
. In addition, if you have attended trade events inside a eu country and also have paid vat for the very same then such vat amounts can also be recovered back. This vat refund can surely help shore increase business bottom line while suitably lowering your product costs.
If you hire a specialist vat, customs duties, and excise duties agent then that agent will also help calculate sales vat rates as well as file your vat returns within the stipulated time period. Vat rates in the United Kingdom range between 17.5% for standard vat rates to 5% for reduced vat rates to zero vat rates for specific products and services. There are also specific services and products which are vat exempt. The hmrc website provides the detailed set of such services and products which are put into 14,000 classifications.
In order to claim a vat refund you will need to preserve and submit all original vat documents including your vat certificate too. While procedures and language in various countries might pose problems, a vat agent amply trained in various vat systems must be able to recover your hard earned money back into your account. There are also different time limits in different eu countries for submitting a vat reclaim and thus having an in-depth knowledge of eu vat and uk vat rules will certainly offer a distinct advantage to both you and your business.
If you want to import goods or services into the UK then opting for eu countries that follow vat would offer several distinct advantages. Having the list of eu countries that follow vat can certainly help reduce costs as well as offer simplicity of operation because the system for paying and collecting vat will be the same in most these countries.