The Poldiac Fan Club

[Portertown]

What is the difference in a V1 Poldiac vs the current version. I'm looking at a V1 brass, and I'm tempted. Are parts readily available?
Thanks.

The Classic has the "slots" and the Sleek does not have the "slots". The only difference is in the appearance, both are identical other wise.
I have one of each and have really enjoyed them both. I use them daily along with my Nanos mod from the same company.

 

[oplholik]

Thanks for the info. I have another question, concerning the VAT, is that reflected in the price for an item I see, or is it added later like our taxes are added in the final step of the order? What % of the price is the VAT? Thanks again.

 

[Portertown]

Thanks for the info. I have another question, concerning the VAT, is that reflected in the price for an item I see, or is it added later like our taxes are added in the final step of the order? What % of the price is the VAT? Thanks again.

The VAT is included in the price you see listed. NO add ons, except for shipping. The VAT is 23% I believe.

 

[oplholik]

I just bought a UMA, it looks like the UMA anyway, 18500 for sale here on ecf. I'm really anxious to try it out. I have wanted one of these for quite awhile. Must of been meant to be, it came along when I had some money in my PP acct.

 

[Portertown]

I just bought a UMA, it looks like the UMA anyway, 18500 for sale here on ecf. I'm really anxious to try it out. I have wanted one of these for quite awhile. Must of been meant to be, it came along when I had some money in my PP acct.

Congrats on your new mod. If you want to use a different battery size or need any spare parts you can find what you need at MMVapors.
mmvapors.com

 

[oplholik]

Thanks Portertown. I no doubt will be getting an 18650 tube, or pants I guess you call it + some spare parts.

 

[MiriamWTH]

Battery tube + Pants ;-)

Here is a link to the Poldiac manual:
http://mmvapors.com/files/Manuals/Poldiac/Poldiac-Manual.pdf

 

[The Ocelot]

I'm confused about the VAT (Valued Added Tax). The USA is not part of the EU and not subject to VAT. I sent mmvapors an email for clarifications and they reposnded:

"We can send it without VAT but you will have to pay customs & taxes. You will probably pay much more.

You have two options according to the Greek law, either we both pay for vat or we must do a commercial export, in that case you will have to pay the amount that your customs will decide and this is usually a lot higher.

I hope this helps."

Well, it doesn't really. They should be affixing a customs declaration to their packages and paying VAT wouldn't stop the US from charging an import duty, since the two aren't related. Also, imported merchandise under $200.00USD is generally exempt. Has anyone else questioned them about this issue?

 

[MiriamWTH]

The Greek law states that the only way that no VAT has to be paid is when a commercial export is done.
The costs for a commercial export are higher plus customs will treat a commercial export differently than a normal package adding costs that are generally higher than the amount of VAT paid on goods with a total of less than 500 euro.

 

[Ozwald]

Yet other Greek suppliers are not charging VAT to non-EU customers. The commercial export exclusion only applies to shipments destined for other EU-member countries where VAT is applicable. VAT shouldn't apply to non-EU members regardless.

 

[MiriamWTH]

I do not know how other Greek suppliers do it, all I know is that MMVapors is doing everything according to Greek law.

And you are welcome to have your order shipped as a commercial export so you do not pay for VAT. But as stated before the end-cost will be a lot higher.

 

[Ozwald]

You can't make an exemption to a non-applicable circumstance, therefore the commercial export exemption would not apply to non-EU destinations. Apparently the other suppliers are just aware of this fact & aren't overcharging American customers. Also as a non-EU customer, I'm allowed to reclaim any VAT that I've been charged. Typically that would only happen with purchases made on EU soil since online purchases with non-EU destinations aren't supposed to have the VAT added to them in the first place, only customs duties. As Ocelot said, items valued at under $200 do not apply. With whom at MMV should I speak with about reclaiming these wrongly charged taxes?

PS I tried to solve this problem via email, but since my messages are being ignored I have no other choice but to pursue this on a public forum.

 

[The Ocelot]

I do not know how other Greek suppliers do it, all I know is that MMVapors is doing everything according to Greek law.

And you are welcome to have your order shipped as a commercial export so you do not pay for VAT. But as stated before the end-cost will be a lot higher.

The "commercial" designation you describe sounds like something that is being purchased for resale, at least that is how US Customs interprets the term. What I would be purchasing is merchandise for personal use.

"VAT on imports and exports:

For the purpose of exports between the Community and non-member countries, no VAT is charged on the transaction and the VAT already paid on the inputs of the good for export is deducted - this is an exemption with the right to deduct the input VAT, sometimes called 'zero-rating'. There is thus no residual VAT contained in the export price." (Quoted for the site below)

General overview - European commission

I getting my information about international online purchases directly from the US Customs site.

Internet Purchases | U.S. Customs and Border Protection

ETA: MMVapors has to be affixing a customs declaration of some sort on the package (From the US Customs site):

"Note: It is important to know that foreign shipments that are not accompanied by a U.S. Customs and Border Protection declaration form and an invoice may be subject to seizure, forfeiture or return to sender."

"Hint: To speed a package through CBP examination at a port's International Mail Branch, the seller should affix a completed CN 22 or CN 23 (U.S. Customs and Border Protection Declaration Form) to the outside of the package. This form may be obtained at local post offices worldwide."

 

[The Ocelot]

Here's another one: EUROPA - Cross-border VAT: buying & selling inside and out of the EU - Your Europe

"Special rules apply if you buy or sell goods/services from or to other countries."

"If you sell goods to customers outside the EU, you do not charge VAT, though you may still deduct the VAT you yourself have paid on your related expenses (goods/services bought in specifically to make those sales)."

Greek law has been brought up in this discussion, but in this case it's my understanding the policies regarding VAT are under the rules of the EU, not the individual countries themselves.

When preparing the export documentation what kind of transaction does MMVapors list when it's a "regular" rather than "commercial" purchase?

 

[MiriamWTH]

I think the catch is right there regarding the Greek law: "If you sell goods to customers outside the EU, you do not charge VAT, though you may still deduct the VAT you yourself have paid on your related expenses (goods/services bought in specifically to make those sales)."

In order for a Greek company to still deduct the VAT they have to do a (what translates to) "commercial export" in order to prove to the Greek government that the goods are indeed leaving the EU in order to deduct the VAT. This special export brings more costs for orders up to 500 euro. Since this special export comes with a lot more paperwork, there is a delay in customs in the US and customs in the US will then also charge the end consumer for these extra costs they make.

In order to avoid extra costs for the customer MMV decided to go the first route described and that is to just add the VAT.

 

[MiriamWTH]

You can't make an exemption to a non-applicable circumstance, therefore the commercial export exemption would not apply to non-EU destinations. Apparently the other suppliers are just aware of this fact & aren't overcharging American customers. Also as a non-EU customer, I'm allowed to reclaim any VAT that I've been charged. Typically that would only happen with purchases made on EU soil since online purchases with non-EU destinations aren't supposed to have the VAT added to them in the first place, only customs duties. As Ocelot said, items valued at under $200 do not apply. With whom at MMV should I speak with about reclaiming these wrongly charged taxes?

PS I tried to solve this problem via email, but since my messages are being ignored I have no other choice but to pursue this on a public forum.

Your messages have been answered by me personally.... I am sorry you did not like the answer in them, but they have been answered.

 

[Ozwald]

I think the catch is right there regarding the Greek law: "If you sell goods to customers outside the EU, you do not charge VAT, though you may still deduct the VAT you yourself have paid on your related expenses (goods/services bought in specifically to make those sales)."

There's no catch there, nor does it have any relevance to your "explanation". That simply says any business selling goods outside of the EU isn't responsible for the VAT. E.g. if you don't collect the VAT, you don't have to pay it on those goods.

In order for a Greek company to still deduct the VAT they have to do a (what translates to) "commercial export" in order to prove to the Greek government that the goods are indeed leaving the EU in order to deduct the VAT. This special export brings more costs for orders up to 500 euro. Since this special export comes with a lot more paperwork, there is a delay in customs in the US and customs in the US will then also charge the end consumer for these extra costs they make.

In order to avoid extra costs for the customer MMV decided to go the first route described and that is to just add the VAT.

And yet you use vague language & provide no proof. All the while many other Greek and EU companies sell to individuals daily without these mysterious export charges you keep referring to but can't seem to name. I've waded through dozens of pages on Greek export law & can find nothing that says a non-VAT transaction must be to a commercial enterprise or exported under the rules that apply to a commercial enterprise, or any other "special export" for that matter. The recipient's address appears to be proof enough that the destination is indeed outside of the EU.

I've reported this matter to the Ministry of Finance & to the EU. Perhaps they can be a little more clear.

 

[The Ocelot]

Last words on the topic.

Πώληση

Όταν πωλείτε αγαθά σε πελάτες εκτός της ΕΕ, δεν τους χρεώνετε ΦΠΑ, αν και πιθανόν δικαιούστε να αφαιρέσετε τον ΦΠΑ που καταβάλατε εσείς οι ίδιοι για συναφείς δαπάνες σας (αγαθά/υπηρεσίες που αγοράσθηκαν για τους σκοπούς της προαναφερθείσας πώλησης).

Their bold not mine.

EUROPA - Κάνοντας επιχειρήσεων - Διασυνοριακή ΦΠΑ

MMVapors has lost at least three sales over this: mine and two of my friends. My order would have been fairly substantial.

 

[serenity21899]

I was set to buy one too, but based on Ocelots and Ozwald's info, I am not. I have bought from other Greek companies and never had to pay that tax, that just does not apply to us in the US.

 

[MiriamWTH]

There are other issues at work here besides VAT, I will update you all as soon as I have more information from the company lawyer.

For now know that MMVapors always has the best interest of the customer in mind and want to get the products to the customer in the cheapest way possible.