Apologies if this is opening up old wounds but I find myself in the same position as Jon in that I need to send my Kemper back to Germany for repair and I have been researching the implications of doing this.
As I understand it, one of the fundamental misunderstandings here relates to whether you pay VAT on repairs which are reimported into the UK. The guidance (linked earlier in the thread) seems pretty clear and states:
"You’ll pay duty at re-import on charges made for repair or replacement, plus any inward shipping and insurance costs you pay for the return of the goods. VAT is charged on the repair costs, plus outward and inward freight charges and duty, but excluding insurance charges."
I may be wrong but I think that VAT would also be payable if a repair were done in the UK.
Bottom line, we need to budget for the payment of VAT on any repairs to our beloved Kemper!