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VAT & Shipping

Jump to:

  1. VAT Refunds
  2. Shipping Purchases from Brompton’s
  3. Export and Permits
  4. Endangered & Protected Species

VAT Refunds


Property with VAT on the Buyer’s premium only:

The amount in lieu of VAT charged on the Buyer’s Premium at a minimum of £50 may be refunded under the following circumstances:

Provided the purchaser resides outside of the United Kingdom (UK) and the property is exported from the UK within 3 months of the sale. Brompton’s Auctioneers Ltd must be provided with the appropriate proof of export immediately after export of the goods by way of approved certificates of shipment, export declarations and additional documentation to prove direct transportation of goods from the UK to the buyer’s registered country of residence; as stated on the auction invoice.

VAT-registered buyers from within the UK should note that the amount in lieu of VAT contained within the Buyer’s Premium cannot be cancelled or refunded by Brompton’s Auctioneers Ltd or HM Revenue and Customs.

Please ask our recommended shippers below for advice or contact juliet@bromptons.co directly.

Property with Import VAT on the hammer price:

The Import or Temporary Admission VAT charged on the hammer price may be refunded provided the purchaser resides outside the UK and the property is exported within 30 days of the sale under the following circumstances:

Brompton’s Auctioneers Ltd is requested (prior to the collection of the property) to arrange the shipment of the property using the recommended shippers below and to a place outside the UK. The property should be exported from the UK within 30 days of the sale.

Brompton’s Auctioneers Ltd is requested (prior to the collection of the property) to arrange the relevant UK customs documents in order for the Buyer to hand carry the property to a place outside the UK. Please contact Brompton’s to assist with this documentation. At the port of exit when leaving the UK, the Buyer must have these documents stamped by UK customs, and return them to Brompton’s Auctioneers Ltd. If correctly processed, an Import VAT refund will be arranged. The property should be exported from the UK within 30 days of the sale. If the process is not fully completed or followed correctly, a refund will not be possible.

The Import VAT liability is transferred to your own shipper’s Temporary Admission or Customs Warehouse (Bond). This must be arranged prior to collection from Brompton’s Auctioneers Ltd and within 30 days of the sale.

Under all other circumstances Brompton’s Auctioneers Ltd is required to complete the importation and pay the VAT due to HM Revenue and Customs so a VAT refund will not be possible.

Property with a † symbol

These items are sold under the normal UK VAT rules and VAT is charged at the standard rate on both the hammer price and Buyer’s Premium (currently 20%).

The VAT charged upon the hammer price may be refunded provided the purchaser resides outside of the UK and the property is exported from the UK within 3 months of the sale. Brompton’s Auctioneers Ltd must be provided with the appropriate proof of export immediately after export of the goods.

Sales and Local Import Taxes

Buyers from outside the UK should note that local sales taxes or import taxes at their destination countries may become payable upon import of items following purchase. These include buyers from EU countries.  Buyers should obtain their own advice in this regard.

Shipping Purchases from Brompton’s


Brompton’s does not provide a shipping or packing service.

We recommend that you contact a professional shipping company who will advise on collection and delivery and provide a quotation. If you require a quotation after the auction then you will need to provide the shipping company with the information from your Brompton’s invoice. Invoices are emailed or sent to all successful bidders within 48 hours of the sale finishing.

If you require a comprehensive service including insurance cover, export documentation and full packing / crating services then please contact the following:

ALBAN SHIPPING

Direct Contact: adam@albanshipping.co.uk
Website: www.albanshipping.co.uk
Tel: +44 (0)1582 493099

MAILBOXES MAYFAIR

Email: info@mbemayfair.co.uk
Website: www.mbe.co.uk/londonmayfair/auction/quote
Tel: +44 (0)207 491 0022

JAYHAWK FINE ART TRANSPORTATION LTD.

Email: info@jayhawkfineart.com
Website: www.jayhawkfineart.com/quote/
Tel: +44 (0)207 708 3366

Insurance information – It is important to understand that as soon as your instrument is collected from Brompton’s then any damage occurred in transit will not be covered by our insurance and Brompton’s is not liable from the time the items leave our premises. If your instrument is collected from us it will be given to the couriers in a Brompton’s bag and not wrapped or packed unless otherwise arranged prior to the collection. All shipments should be unpacked and checked on delivery and any discrepancies notified immediately to the shipper in question.

Export and Permits


It is the Buyer’s sole responsibility to identify, obtain and pay for any necessary export, import, endangered species, or other permit for purchased lots. In certain circumstances Brompton’s are able to apply for permits and licences below on behalf of the Buyer – please speak with a Brompton’s representative for further information.

We strongly urge prospective buyers to check with their governments regarding any import restrictions for certain items which contain endangered animal or plant materials as the ability to obtain an export licence or certificate does not ensure the ability to obtain an import licence or certificate in another country, and vice versa. Please see below for Endangered Species information and with particular note to the laws regarding importing Ivory into the US.

Permits and Licences – price per document
NES Entry (Tax refunds)

Customs paperwork necessary when exporting items by hand outside of the UK and obligatory in addition to the Export Licence charge below – £55

Export Licences

When exporting to a country outside of the UK, musical instruments and bows over 50 years old with a value over £65,000 will require an export licence.
Charge for license and application – £65

Please note that lots sold with * or ** symbol in the catalogue no longer require export licenses to leave the UK.

CITES Permit

When exporting to a country outside of the UK, musical instruments and bows made of or incorporating plant or animal material may require a licence – £82.50 charge

Antique Declarations

Brompton’s can issue these at no charge.

Endangered & Protected Species


Endangered Species

Items made of or incorporating plant or animal material, such as ivory, whalebone, tortoiseshell, Brazilian rosewood etc., irrespective of age or value, may require a licence or certificate prior to exportation and require additional licences or certificates upon importation to any country outside the UK. The ability to obtain an export licence or certificate does not ensure the ability to obtain an import licence or certificate in another country, and vice versa. For example, it is illegal to import elephant ivory (regardless of age) and to import tortoiseshell under 100 years old into the United States. Brompton’s strongly urge prospective buyers to check with their own governments regarding wildlife import requirements prior to placing a bid. It is the buyer’s responsibility to obtain any export or import licences and/or certificates as well as any other required documentation. The denial of any licence required or delay in obtaining such licence cannot justify the cancellation of a sale or any delay in making payment of the total amount due.

Property with Restricted Materials Showing the Y Symbol

Lots with this symbol have been identified at the time of cataloguing as containing an ivory or tortoiseshell frog which may be subject to restrictions regarding import or export. The information is specific to the frogs on a bow and does not refer to the faceplates or tips. Brompton’s assume that all bows have ivory faceplates unless otherwise specified on the condition report. The absence of the symbol is not a warranty that there are no restrictions regarding import or export of the lot.

Moving a CITES-listed Item Within the EU

EC regulations permit free trade of CITES-listed specimens between EU member states if the item containing the specimen was made before June 1, 1947.
Trade in CITES-listed specimens made after 1947 is more restricted, and Brompton’s does not include these items in its sales unless they are accompanied by a CITES Article 10 (pre CITES) certificate. Article 10 certificate applications may take up to 15 working days to process.

Moving a CITES-listed Item Out of the UK

CITES-listed items always require an export permit before they can be shipped to a location outside the UK. UK CITES permit applications may take up to 15 working days to process. Upon request Brompton’s may apply for a CITES licence to export your lot(s) outside the UK. Permits are not guaranteed, and the process can delay shipment by as much as 90 days. Please contact info@bromptons.co or +44 20 7670 2932.

CITES permits are issued by the UK’s Wildlife Licensing and Registration Service (WLRS).
These laws can be subject to change. For the most up to date information please see the link below:
www.gov.uk/guidance/cites-imports-and-exports