It has been brought to my attention that we are not applying the correct VAT codes to orders going overseas (Ken's automated programme has been getting it wrong too!).
Just to clarify the rules: VAT should be applied based on the Shipping destination of the goods, regardless of the Billing address eg. If a customer living in London buys a keyboard which we send directly to his daughter in Switzerland, then there is NO VAT to pay as Switzerland is outside the EC.
Unless they are vat registered, all customers within the EC pay the same rate of VAT as a customer in the UK. Customers outside the EC DO NOT pay VAT.
When adding an order to Opera, the Country Code set for that account should relate to the Shipping Country and NOT the Billing one. When adding the lines to the order you will only be able to choose options that relate to the Shipping country, if you think the option you need is not available then please talk to me/Gareth and we will double check and add to the system if required.
If you have a repeat customer that sometimes has things delivered in the UK and sometimes overseas, you will need to change the Country Code prior to adding a new order. The Country Code on the account should match the Shipping destination of the most recent order placed on it.
Where you are shipping to a UK freight forwarder for onward shipment to an overseas destination, please set the Country Code to the place they are ultimately being delivered.
I appreciate this can be a confusing/complicated area so I would prefer you to double check with Me/Gareth prior to adding an order if you are at all unsure.
Thanks
Andy