International VAT and Import Charges for Customers

This information relates to direct orders (e.g. website, email or telephone orders, or author buybacks placed with Elgar or our UK distributor).

The UK does not charge VAT/ GST sales tax on books but international customers should be aware that shipments may attract import charges, usually VAT applied by the government of the recipient country and collected by the courier or postal service that is transporting your parcel. Admin fees may also be charged in addition to VAT charges. This is because many governments have asked couriers to collect these charges on their behalf and the couriers have chosen to pass this cost on at the point of delivery. We anticipate this admin charge will be in the region of €10-€15. If you receive a different administration charge please let us know so that we can update this advice. If the charge is paid promptly it shouldn't slow down the delivery of your book; and if the purchase is made by a business or institution then you will be able to reclaim the GST/ VAT as you would for local purchases.

On 1st January 2021, the rules for exporting from the UK to the EU changed. EU customers buying directly (including website and author buyback customers) are no longer able to benefit from purchasing books tax free and import tax, at your local VAT/GST rate, is now payable when the books are imported. The rate charged varies by country, ranging from 0% (Ireland) to 25% (Denmark).

We urge all international customers to check their own country's rules and regulations prior to purchase, as EEP can not take responsibility for taxes and charges beyond our control.

These must be paid by the customer and we cannot reimburse you unless this has been agreed in writing before the purchase was made.