Can contractors using VAT Flat Rate Scheme gain 20% discount by importing?

[JRCT]

My £1700 '93 Rickenbacker guitar got through customs from USA with no duty or vat, sweet!

Saved 20-odd%....

No strings attached?

[ujjain]

Shame you can't get the item VAT-free and claiming it as an expense, so not paying 20% corporation tax, nor 20% VAT. But the VAT Flat Rate Scheme is a pretty sweet deal too.

[BolshieBastard]

My £1700 '93 Rickenbacker guitar got through customs from USA with no duty or vat, sweet!

Saved 20-odd%....

That's un ****ing believable! I bought some stuff as a gift from the US, had gift declared on it and the bastards still charged me import duty on a gift that cost the pound equivalent of £327!

[stek]

That's un ****ing believable! I bought some stuff as a gift from the US, had gift declared on it and the bastards still charged me import duty on a gift that cost the pound equivalent of £327!

Yeah lol!

I was expecting the charges, usually get a card saying pay up and you can have your stuff, sometimes get the stuff and a bill later. This time got the guitar, waited for a bill - nothing for a bout six months now. Might come eventually, but I think I got away with it!

And it was all declared properly, suspect it just got missed.