Customs charges from US ?

[thelodgers]

I'm thinking of buying some parts from the US , which will cost about £300 including shipping.

Any ideas what the UK customs charges will be - is VAT added etc?

Is there any advice on how I should ask the seller to describe and value the goods to reduce the charges.

Many thanks

[scouse]

I'm thinking of buying some parts from the US , which will cost about £300 including shipping.

Any ideas what the UK customs charges will be - is VAT added etc?

Is there any advice on how I should ask the seller to describe and value the goods to reduce the charges.

Many thanks

yes
If the seller will send it as a gift
then there are no custom charges
Gary T

[husson73]

custom charges (don't know the amount in UK )+ VAT but many times, mostly in my country they don't ask you but you never know got Nos exhauts without custom and one time a K brochure!!!! on which I paid custom taxes!!!!!!

[Charlie]

The gift thing will not work if the sender is a commercial organisation or if the declared value is over 40 quid. It is a bit of an urban myth that they all sneak through, some may do but most will not. The Customs guys are very very wise to all the scams.

You will pay 20% VAT on the declared value plus an eight quid handling charge. The eight quid is levied cos the Post Office (or whoever) pays the charge for you and then recovers it from you....or at least that is what they claim it is for.

The only real way of reducing that amount is if the seller agrees to declare a lower amount as the value. That however is a Federal crime in the U.S. and not all sellers will do it. Even if they do declare a low value and customs open the parcel to check it (as they can do) if they believe the declared value to be too low they can levy a charge on what they believe to be it's actual value....so no brand new chrome exhaust systems with a declared value of a tenner are gonna sneak thorough

Charges are calculated by UK Border Agency (UKBA) staff at the postal depots where the packages are received. However, in some cases special arrangements are in place for goods purchased on the internet (see paragraph 3.4 below).

Value Added Tax (VAT) - Import VAT is charged at the same rate that applies to similar goods sold in the UK and applies to commercial goods over £18 in value, and on gifts that are over £40 in value (please note: With effect from 1 November 2011 the £18 threshold will be reduced to £15). The value of the goods for import VAT is based on the:

* basic value of goods, plus
* postage, packing and insurance, plus
* any import (Customs or Excise) duties charged

Customs duty - Customs duty becomes payable if the goods are over £135 in value but is waived if the amount calculated is less than £9. Customs duty is usually charged as a percentage of the value of the goods.

The full rules are detailed Here

[Old Nail]

To give you an example. Seven weeks ago I bought a pair of S2 front brake shoes from ebay US. They cost £21.00 and shipping cost was an additional £9.00

Remember that was seven weeks ago. I have since been in contact with the original seller asking where my parts are, and he provided proof of postage showing they were shipped the day after I paid him.

Yesterday the postman gave me a card that I must take to the post office to collect my goods. Not only has the the package been held back for over a month, they also want a further £12.56 from me to release it. That's an additional £12.56 on a £21.00 item.

It seems that everyone in between expects to dip their hand in your pocket before you receive the goods that you have already paid for in a private transaction. It appears it's only a 'global market place' when it suits.

[El Presidente]

When VAT was 17.5% the threshold was £18, not too sure if it is still the same - But ANYTHING, Gift or not! - Will attract VAT if the value is over the set limit (£18.00?) oh, plus that admin fee

[fnuseless]

2.3 What are the limits for customs duty and import VAT?
Commercial consignments of £18 or less are free from customs duty and import VAT (please note: With effect from 1 November 2011 the £18 threshold will be reduced to £15 - see 2.4 below). For example, goods purchased over the internet with an intrinsic value not exceeding £18, will not be charged any duty or VAT but this does not include alcohol, tobacco products, perfume or toilet waters. See paragraph 2.6, 2.7 and section 3.
If you are sent a gift with a value of £40 or less, and which complies with the rules shown in paragraph 2.5, it will be free from customs duty and import VAT, but this does not include alcohol, tobacco, perfumes and toilet waters.
Customs duty becomes payable if the value of the goods is over £135 but duty is waived if the amount of duty calculated is less than £9.
There are a number of other circumstances where relief from some or all customs charges may be available. If you think your goods may be eligible for a relief you should contact the Excise and Customs Helpline on Tel 0845 010 9000 for further information.

[fnuseless]

http://customs.hmrc.gov.uk/channelsPort ... t#P17_1572


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