VAT Rules for Printing
VAT laws for printed material can be complicated. Please see below a list of popular printed items we produce.
VAT (Value Added Tax) is a general tax applied to all commercial activities involving the production and distribution of custom printed products. VAT and is charged as a percentage of the price to the customer. The current standard VAT rate is 20%. If you are VAT registered, you will be able to claim back the VAT element of your order.
Most prices on our website exclude VAT (this is because we are primarily a business to business (B2B) operation, so mainly deal with businesses who can generally re-claim VAT.
It is always important to understand which printed products are VAT(able) and which are zero rated.
Printed Products which attract VAT (VAT Rated):
- Banners
- Business Cards
- Calendars
- Certificates
- Compliment Slips
- Coupons
- Envelopes
- Exhibition Stands
- Flags
- Gift Vouchers
- Forms
- Invitations
- Invoices
- Labels
- Legal Corners
- Letterheads
- Loyalty Cards
- NCR Forms, Pads & Books
- Notepads
- Order Forms
- Post Cards
- Posters
- Presentation Folders
- Price Cards & Tags
- Questionnaires
- Roller Banners
- Signs
- Stationery
- Stickers
- Table Talkers
- Tickets
- Vouchers
Zero Rated Products:
- Books
- Booklets
- Brochures
- Catalogues
- Flyers*
- Journals
- Leaflets*
- Magazines
- Manuals
- Maps
- Menus
- Order of Service
- Price Lists (excluding any order form)
- Sports Programmes
- Timetables
- Travel Brochures
* For your information, there are certain criteria regarding VAT relating to Flyers/Leaflets. They must meet certain conditions for the Flyer/Leaflet product to be considered zero rated for VAT purposes. There must be a significant amount of printed text on at least one side of the Flyer/Leaflet to make sure it is being printed as something to be read {hand held}, instead of being posted onto a wall. To ensure a Flyer/Leaflet is zero rated for VAT purposes it must be no larger than A4 size (210 x 297mm) and printed on paper stock which is no thicker than 230gsm. in weight.
These lists are not exhaustive. Please contact us if you would like to discuss the VAT element of your custom printing order. If you place an order on our website and we notice an issue with the VAT component of your order, we will contact you promptly to discuss.
Please click this link to the HMRC VAT page for more information.
Exceptions
Some custom printed products in the zero rated VAT list may still be applicable for VAT if they have, or can be, used for any of the following business purposes
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DISCOUNTS
VAT is deemed chargeable if your custom printed product is used to obtain a specific discount on any goods or services. An example of this could be using the words "20% off ????? with this poster!"
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VOUCHERS FOR ADMISSIONS
VAT on custom printing is chargeable if your printed product is to be used for admission to a specific event or exhibition. An example of this could be using the words "Free admission with this Leaflet"
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WRITABLE BOOKLETS
Books and Booklets are exempt from VAT charges unless they are specifically designed and printed to be written in (for instance: calendars, diaries, record books)
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WRITABLE AREA
VAT is chargeable on your custom printed product if it has an area designed to be written onto. An example of this could be invitations, postcards certificates and printed forms. To be charged VAT, this writable area must cover at least 25% of the artwork design.
Call us now: 0191 289 4755
Email: sales@mdprintshop.co.uk
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