IMPS08100 | Procedure tables: horses imported for sale by auction (the Docket System)

From HM Revenue & Customs · Import VAT Manual

Step	Instruction
1	The VAT-registered auctioneer must act as importer and pay the VAT due at importation (see IMPS04700 for information about value).
2	The import declaration must be accompanied by 3 copies of a horse import docket (or in the case of Tattersalls, a 'Tattersalls Docket') which is to include the information and request shown in the specimen in IMPS08200.
3	The officer is to examine the docket and, if satisfied: date stamp and initial all copies, attach the original to the import declaration, attach a copy to the consignee's copy of the import declaration, and return a copy to the agent to travel with the horse.
4	After clearance, the consignee's copy of the import declaration is to be sent to the importer, via the agent if applicable.
5	The registered taxable person shown as importer is responsible for accounting for the disposal of the horse. This can be by: exportation from Great Britain to the overseas owner if the animal was not sold at auction,sale at auction;standard-rated on the value of the supply;zero-rated if directly exported from Great Britain or Northern Ireland to outside the EU and evidence of export held;zero-rated if supplied for removal from Northern Ireland to a taxable person in a member State, under the normal supply/acquisition rules.
6	Where the disposal of a horse cannot satisfactorily be accounted for as above, the local officer is to assess the importer for the tax due. Entry under the Docket Scheme constitutes an entry to home use and consequently horses cannot be diverted to a temporary import regime in lieu of re-exportation.