Re VAT / German Importer.https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/eevblog/eevblog-121gw-multimeter/posts/2070011As I expected, this is very messy and not really worth the hassle.
Dave, the simple solution is just give a option of shipping method:
Simple:DHL Express Courier: Which I believe is DHL Courier all the way. DHL handling everything and the 'Companies' who supported the Kickstarter and claim the VAT portion back
DHL eCommerce: Which I believe is final delivery by local post. Supporters know how their local post offices handle taxes and can choose if advantageous to DHL delivery.
Messy:3rd Party: If going ahead this needs to be a clean single option. They will not want to be issuing zero rated invoices to companies etc, and you collecting the VAT is on dodgy legal grounds.
DHL China: If this is DHL all the way from China it is no different to option 1 above, except they do not take the invoice on face value and will inspect the parcel, and may revise upwards. I have had this happen several times now. In one case I kicked up a fuss and ended up getting all the VAT back, even though they said they were refunding just the over charge.
In all cases, a proper clearly itemised (Item and P&P shown separately) invoice should be available on the outside of the package.