The exporters’ view
Between them they’re the largest suppliers of scooter parts in the world, so how has Brexit affected the operations at both SIP and Scooter Centre?
Ralf Jodl, the co-founder and managing director of SIP had this to say: “SIP is shipping parts to the UK as usual. From January 1, 2021 we will not t charge VAT on any order going to the UK, the price paid to us is as indicated in our webshop. Our customer s normally receive their goods s within 2-3 working days, although an Express Service e is available at extra cost.
Around two weeks later customers will receive a ‘customs invoice’ with the ‘import turnover tax’, equivalent to UK VAT, issued by our carrier. We are happy to say that overall things are not changing very much for us as a supplier nor does it change very much for our valued UK customers.”
Speaking for Scooter Centre, Philipp Montforts, who manages its Lambretta product lines, said: “Although Brexit has changed the way we deal with orders to the UK, this is something we’re already used to wi th countries such as Switzerland or Norway. All parts sent to the UK are sold without taxes. The shipping companies are handling this part of the transaction and take the money bbeforef or while hil theyth are handing over goods to the customer.
“As the Brexit deal was signed only recently there wasn’t much time to prepare the arrangements in advance. We monitor costs daily and will always try to offer the best solution for our wonderful customers in the UK. Hopefully we’ll all quickly settle into a new routine.”