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Record Postponed VAT Accounting (PVA) transactions in QuickBooks

by Intuit•6• Updated 1 month ago

Postponed VAT Accounting (PVA) is a scheme from HMRC that lets UK VAT-registered businesses account for import VAT on their VAT return instead of paying it when the goods arrive at the border.

This means:

You don’t have to pay import VAT upfront, which can help your cash flow.
You declare the VAT on your return, and if you’re entitled to reclaim it, you do so on the same return.
All the details you need come from your monthly Postponed Import VAT (PIVA) statement, which you download from HMRC.

In QuickBooks Online, you’ll use special VAT codes to record PVA transactions so the amounts flow into the correct boxes on your VAT return.

Step 1: Download your PIVA statement

Sign in to HMRC’s Customs Declaration Service (CDS).
Download your Postponed Import VAT (PIVA) statement each month.
Save it for your records – HMRC only keeps statements online for 6 months.

Step 2: Record the import in QuickBooks

Select + New or + Create.
Choose the transaction type: Expense, Invoice, or Bill.
Enter the details of the import.
In the Amounts are field, select Exclusive of Tax.
In the VAT column, choose one of these codes:
- 20.0% PVAT – if you can reclaim VAT.
- 0.0% PVAT Z – if the goods are zero-rated.
Add a note in the Memo: “PVA import – see PIVA statement”.
Save and close.

Step 3: Check your VAT return

When you prepare your VAT return, QuickBooks will put the values into the right boxes:

Box 1: VAT due on imports
Box 4: VAT reclaimed (if applicable)
Box 7: Net value of imports (excluding VAT)

Use your PIVA statement to confirm the figures are correct.

If you’re on the Flat Rate Scheme (FRS)

Enter the import VAT in Box 1 only.
Do not include it in Box 4 – FRS doesn’t allow VAT reclaim on imports.

For the latest guidance, see HMRC’s page on Postponed VAT Accounting.

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