Council Directive 2009/132/ECShow full title

CHAPTER 2 U.K. Goods imported on the occasion of a marriage

Article 12 U.K.

1. Subject to Articles 13 to 16, exemption shall be granted in respect of trousseaux and household effects, whether or not new, belonging to a person transferring his or her normal place of residence to the territory of the Community on the occasion of his or her marriage.

Exemption shall also be granted in respect of presents customarily given on the occasion of a marriage which are received by a person fulfilling the conditions laid down in the first subparagraph from persons having their normal place of residence outside the Community. The exemption shall apply to presents of a value of not more than EUR 200. Member States may, however, grant exemption for more than EUR 200 provided that the value of each exempt present does not exceed EUR 1 000.

2. The Member State may make exemption of the goods referred to in the first subparagraph of paragraph 1 conditional on their having borne, either in the country or territory of origin or in the country or territory of departure, the customs and fiscal charges to which they are normally liable.

Article 13 U.K.

The exemption may be granted only to persons:

(a)

whose normal place of residence has been outside the Community for a continuous period of at least 12 months;

(b)

who produce evidence of their marriage.

However, derogations from the rule referred to in the first subparagraph may be granted provided that the intention of the person concerned was clearly to reside outside the Community for a continuous period of at least 12 months.

Article 14 U.K.

No exemption shall be granted for alcoholic products, tobacco or tobacco products.

Article 15 U.K.

1. Save in exceptional circumstances, exemption shall be granted only in respect of goods permanently imported:

(a) not earlier than two months before the date fixed for the wedding; and

(b) not later than four months after the date of the wedding.

In the case referred to in point (a), exemption may be made subject to the lodging of appropriate security, the form and amount of which shall be determined by the competent authorities.

2. Goods to which exemption is granted may be imported in several separate consignments, within the period referred to in paragraph 1.

Article 16 U.K.

1. Until 12 months have elapsed from the date of the declaration for their final importation, personal property which has been imported exempt from tax may not be lent, given as security, hired out or transferred, whether for a consideration or free of charge, without prior notification to the competent authorities.

2. Any loan, giving as security, hiring out or transfer before the expiry of the period referred to in paragraph 1 shall entail payment of the relevant VAT on the goods concerned, at the rate applying on the date of such loan, giving as security, hiring out or transfer, on the basis of the type of goods and the value ascertained or accepted on that date by the competent authorities.