Thread by @quixoticgeek

Have had a couple of questions re my 27 part thread on VAT changes. So let's do a quick FAQ:

1/n

"So should I stock up on Arduino's etc... now?"

No, not really. If you buy from aliexpress, amazon, ebay, etc... then you don't really need to worry, prices will go up ~20% on 1st of July. The VAT is collected everyone is happy. However, there are edge cases: 2/n

This is about when the item arrives in the EU, not when you order it. If you buy a €1 arduino from aliexpress on May 1st, then no VAT is paid, and none is needed when the package arrives in the EU. *IF* it arrives before the end of June 2021. 3/n

If it arrives on the 1st of July, because no VAT was collected by the seller, you now have to pay the €0.21 vat, plus the €13 handling fee to postnl. So you may want to not buy anything after April 1st, just to be on the safe side. 4/n

What you should do however, if you have a favourite supplier of say bespoke tools, or custom bike parts, or circuit boards, or whatever, contact them now. Let them know the rules are changing, and tell them how much you want to be able to still buy from them after July 1st. 5/n

Tho, dear hackers and makers, don't all fill @oshpark's inbox. I've already scared^WNotified them. Contact your favourite non EU small businesses. Help them. It'll be cheaper for you in the long run. More answers as more questions come in. 6/6.