At BMA, we're committed to continuously enhancing our services and security because your experience matters. That's why we're moving to a new and improved auction platform.

This investment will help us deliver a faster, more secure and more personalised buying experience. It also gives us a stronger foundation to introduce new features, improve performance and continue upgrading our services over time. 

While you'll notice some improvements as soon as the new platform goes live, many of the biggest benefits will be introduced over the coming months as we continue to develop the platform. 

To complete the migration safely and securely, there will be a short period of planned downtime while we transfer our services to the new platform. 

But don't worry, we will be back with plenty of great equipment once the migration is complete.

On the 1st December 2026, our auction platform will be temporarily unavailable during the day while we migrate and make our upgrades.

During this time, you won't be able to:

• Browse current auctions
• Search for lots within current auctions
• Place bids
• Access historical invoices
• Complete purchases through the current platform

If you require help and support during this downtime period, please do not hesitate to contact our customer service team on +44 (0) 1252 299024 or email them on enquiries@britishmedicalauctions.co.uk

In conjunction with our move to the new auction platform, and in-line with updated HMRC requirements, there will be changes to the VAT process for international buyers.

Following the migration:

• International buyers will pay VAT at the point of sale.
• Where a VAT refund is applicable, you'll be able to reclaim it by providing valid export documentation within the required timeframe.
• You'll be able to choose whether approved VAT refunds are refunded directly to your bank account or offset against future invoices.

VAT refunds

Should a VAT refund be required, buyers will need to provide valid export documentation demonstrating that the goods have left the UK. This documentation must be received within 90 days of the auction sale date in accordance with HMRC regulations. Please see below a list of acceptable documents:

• International consignment note/lettre de voiture international (CMR) fully completed by the consignor, the haulier and the receiving consignee, or freight transport association own account transport documents fully completed and signed by the receiving customer
• Certificates of shipment containing the full details of the consignment and how it left the UK or EU
• Authenticated sea waybills
• Authenticated air waybills
• Pim/piex international consignment notes
• Master air waybills or bills of lading

Documents should be sent by email to VAT@britishmedicalauctions.co.uk, with the CMR number clearly included in both the document name and the email subject line to ensure prompt processing. Further information, including the list of acceptable export documents, you can visit the HMRC website, refer to our FAQs or by contacting our VAT team directly.

Refund preferences

Refunds can be offset against future invoices or refunded to a specified bank account. Once you decide your method of refund, this will be fixed. Please complete the form below to state your refund preference.

Please complete this form to state your refund repayment preference

Should you still have any questions, you can read our VAT FAQs or alternatively, our friendly customer service team are on hand to help.

This migration marks the beginning of a series of enhancements designed to make buying through BMA simpler and more personalised.

Planned improvements include:

1. Improved invoice processing - better, quicker, more options.
2. Streamlined packaging options - with the use of our new online packaging request form.
3. Personalised notifications - receive updates that are more relevant to you based on your registered interests.
4. Lot-level alerts - you'll soon be able to receive alerts for individual lots you're interested in, helping you avoid missing out on lots that matter to you.
5. Ongoing platform improvements - this migration enables us to deliver future enhancements more quickly, creating a smoother, more efficient buying experience.