VAT on safety equipment (UK/EU)

[philh1503]

Does anyone know why suppliers of bee keeping safety equipment are allowed to charge VAT? SE/PPE should be zero-rated VAT in the UK and EU.

 

[Bear]

No idea but as a self employed who works in the construction industry I once bought a pair of steel toe capped boots (safety boots / ppe) and I was charged vat on my account. When I challenged them because most account holders are vat registered they get it back (so I was told) but legally vat is not applicable to safety products. Steel toe foot wear, hard hats, goggles etc but nobody challenges it so everybody pays it.