VAT, Brexit and physical tier benefits

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I’m sure everyone is aware that Brexit is a total mess, but the new government guidelines on importing to Britain are making it look fantastically complicated with regards to collecting VAT and putting the burden entirely on the exporter: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/changes-to-vat-treatment-of-overseas-goods-sold-to-customers-from-1-january-2021/changes-to-vat-treatment-of-overseas-goods-sold-to-customers-from-1-january-2021?fbclid=IwAR3wK0GCzh5mFVCptsVt84RRcrZaIZS2TmSdPlDrABiDkSrVNyrxyk8ST0Q#:~:text=From%201%20January%202021%20the,VAT%20under%20these%20new%20measures

Does anyone know where that leaves Patreon creators with regards to shipping physical tier benefits into Britain next year? As far as I understand, Patreon already collects VAT and pays it to HMRC on behalf of the creator, but I can’t find any information on how to declare this to customs. I’m getting patrons and potential patrons already asking questions about this with regards to some of my higher tiers and I don’t know what to say to them right now!

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Hi KarolinaLaskowska! Mike on the tax team here. Yes you are correct that Patreon already collects VAT and pays to HMRC on behalf of Creators with patrons located within the UK. We’re still working out the exact procedures related to the UK’s new regime but as Patreon will likely be deemed an online marketplace (“OMP”), it will be our responsibility to handle VAT charges on Patrons located within the UK. Watch out for more information to come soon. Hope this helps.

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Hi Mike - thanks for the reply! I’m guessing that there’s still a lot of uncertainty regarding procedures and legal requirements, but I will keep an eye out for further announcements from the Patreon team in the new year. As things currently stand, I’ll be having to close my retail business to British customers, so I’m hoping that I can at least keep the Patreon avenue open for them!