Law, crime and regulation

Final appeal court decision is now imminent in copyright conundrum

Thank you for taking up the irritating issue on behalf of your subscribers of eBay charging 20% VAT instead of the 5% directed by HMRC for antique items.

Re my letter: ‘Why does eBay charge incorrect import VAT?’ Letters, ATG No 2560). Just so you know, I never heard back from eBay, plus it seems they continue to charge the wrong 20% duty on most if not all antique items being sent into the UK.

Two separate legal cases involving leading London art dealers have concluded in the High Court.

I read in ATG Letters Nos 2564 and 2560 about the problem relating to VAT calculation from eBay.

Close investigation is vital to avoid difficulties with sanctioned individuals

I have just entered an early 19th century portrait miniature painted on ivory into my local auction and have been informed that, in order to enter it, I have to pay a £20 fee for it to be accepted for sale.

A round-up of art and antiques news from the previous seven days, including a Bronzino portrait restituted earlier this year to be offered at Sotheby’s.

A rare early 16th century Flemish tapestry that was part of an impressive imperial commission is coming up for sale in France in early December.

More than a thousand art market businesses have registered for HM Revenue and Customs’ Anti Money Laundering Supervision (AMLS) since its June 2021 launch.

Two cases dealt with recently underline problem of this clash of interests.

Twenty-seven looted artefacts seized from New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art have been returned to Italy and Egypt as part of longrunning investigations by the Manhattan District Attorney’s Antiquities Trafficking Unit.