Quote
NoobMan
US price probably does not include vat because they dont have that. EU price probably includes it, most probably all components have that included in purchase price. So the eu price is comparable if you keep track of vat. If one would want to import large quantities or merchandise from us to eu, would have to pay vat at customs, the vat in the country where the import is made. Sort of speaking, can not avoid eu vat indefinatelly nor completely.
The rules are a bit more complex. Short and simplified form: Individuals (not coorporations) in the EU will be charged 21% VAT on products from the Netherlands. Anyone from outside of the EU pays 0% VAT. VAT stands for Value Added Tax. The VAT being charged over goods you buy is calculated over the price excluding the VAT that was charged when acquiring these goods (you might have to read this sentence twice). Plus you pay VAT over the 'value' that was 'added' to the original goods. So if everything is handled properly, you never pay double VAT, but once for each amount of value that gets added.
If you're an individual living in the EU (and thus have bought components including VAT) to create a product that's being sold outside the EU you have a disadvantage. In that case your product will probably be too expensive because it includes some VAT while none should have been. The disadvantage depends on the (relative) amount of value you've added. If you make 90% profit on some merchandise you bought with VAT included, the disadvantige is relatively small. However if you paid VAT over 50% of your parts, the disadvantage is significant!
-- Bas