UBP taxes at port of Southampton

[UpTheBanner]

We have the UBP on our upcoming transatlantic cruise on the Escape. Was wondering if we will have to pay any taxes on drinks while in port?

Edited October 7, 2015 by UpTheBanner

[kerryincork]

While in port you do pay taxes on any drinks you get. But you only pay the tax if you have the UBP not the whole drink.

[LrgPizza]

What is Southampton's tax rate?

[SullytheBFG]

Our VAT rate is 20%

[Guindalf]

You will most likely get a 20% VAT charge added to your bill PER DRINK while in port at Southampton. Once you hit international waters, you won't get any more tax charges unless you are in a US port.

[insidecabin]

There should be no Tax on free stuff.

 

VAT is based on what you pay 20% of $0 is $0.

 

NCL should have fixed this as it was broken on the Spirit in JAn.

[time2cruise1]

There should be no Tax on free stuff.

 

VAT is based on what you pay 20% of $0 is $0.

 

NCL should have fixed this as it was broken on the Spirit in JAn.

 

They collect VAT and local sales in U.S. Ports based on the value of the product. Paid sales tax on every drink on the Dawn while docked in Boston on the Dawn with UBP.

[zider]

As your next port is a Non E.U. Port no British V.A.T will be paid, Unlike the mini cruises on the 27/28 where 20% V.A.T will be added to All purchases onboard

[insidecabin]

They collect VAT and local sales in U.S. Ports based on the value of the product. Paid sales tax on every drink on the Dawn while docked in Boston on the Dawn with UBP.

 

 

As well from VAT not being chargable on free stuff I am not sure that the uk never adopted the EU regulation that brought about the "spanish tax" that the Epic suffers out of BCN.

 

I think this is still the current UK position for on ship consumption

(no idea what Hamburg departure that will be under German rules for VAT)

 

Supplies on board ships, aircraft and trains: Intra-Community journeys: On-board consumption

We treat supplies of goods for on-board consumption as taking place outside the Member States and so outside the scope of VAT. This is due to the UK having exercised the option in Article 37(3) of the Principal VAT Directive (see VATPOSG4110) which permits Member States to relieve supplies of this kind from VAT.

When sold from an on-board bar or restaurant, all sales of food, drink and tobacco are treated as being for immediate consumption (although, as smoking is not permitted on board aircraft or trains, no sales of tobacco products qualify as being for consumption on board). Confectionery and soft drinks sold anywhere on board a ship, aircraft or train are treated as goods consumed on board and relieved of VAT; as long as it is self-evident that the products are of a type that are more suitable for on-board consumption than gift purchase or home use. Products that by virtue of their nature of packaging are clearly not suitable to be treated as consumed on board (such as boxes of chocolates or tins of biscuits) are subject to VAT in the normal way, even if these products are actually consumed on board the ship, aircraft or train.

 

Supplies on board ships, aircraft and trains: international journeys

 

All supplies of goods during an international journey (that is a journey to and from a third country) are treated as taking place outside the UK and so are outside the scope of UK VAT. This includes goods which technically could be regards as having been supplied within UK territorial limits at the start of a journey departing from the UK or at the end of a journey to the UK

Edited October 7, 2015 by insidecabin

[ighten]

Im confused..If you pre bought the UBP in the UK you already paid the tax ( I believe if you buy it pre cruise through the US site its different)..

 

We had no charges to pay for drinks between Barcelona and Southampton.. It does show the tax on the receipts but it all gets wiped.

Edited October 10, 2015 by ighten

[insidecabin]

Should not make any difference where you got it free or prepaid there should be no vat on your final bill for cruises departing the VAT region.

 

For cruises from the UK it should not even appear on the bar receipt.