Can someone explain how Value Added Tax, aka VAT works

[DesertIguana]

In Australia, it is called the GST: Goods and Services Tax. If I buy anything from overseas, say ebay, I pay for the item, the shipping, the conversion fees and 10% GST on top of the lot. So, I don't buy American. Unaffordable. And the global shipping program is horrendously expensive.

Totally get what youn are saying.

 

[Chris]

In Australia, it is called the GST: Goods and Services Tax. If I buy anything from overseas, say ebay, I pay for the item, the shipping, the conversion fees and 10% GST on top of the lot. So, I don't buy American. Unaffordable. And the global shipping program is horrendously expensive.

Same here, I only buy from overseas if it's an item I can't get in the UK.