Spanish IVA ( = VAT)

[oldsilverfox]

Hi all,

We're off on the QE next week, from Rome to the UK via Barcelona and Palma.

 

I see a note on the Cunard website that Spanish IVA is charged (added) at 8% on onboard services whilst in Spanish territorial waters.

 

How does this work ? If I, say, buy drinks on board for $10 USD, do they finish up costing me $10 plus 8% plus 15% ?

 

I must be getting more befuddled than usual, as I naively thought that as we were on a Bermudan registered ship, we were not subject to shoreside taxes from those wonderful folk at the EU.

 

Any comments ??

[zider]

Not only do you have to pay 8% Spanish tax + 15 % on bar purchases when in Spanish waters, When a ship is doing a round Britain Cruise the tax is then 20% + 15%.

[balf]

If you are ordering the nightly bottle at dinner after leaving a Spanish port always have a word with the WW to delay cashing up until you are out of Spanish waters, though in practice once the customs guy has left the ship (usually the last off and carrying his brief case) you should not be charged IVA.

 

David.