SetH
Member
Registered: 15th Jul 01
User status: Online
|
Thinking of buying some parts from ECS tuning in the States.
After pricing up the parts and accounting for postage the total price is still competitive with similar parts from a UK supply except the ECS stuff is better.
However....
How do I calculate the customs charges? Have been through the HM revenue and customs site and cant find anything tangible.
Value will be £460
any ideas? is there a workaround ie if supplier labels it as gift
|
daymoon
Premium Member
Registered: 1st Aug 08
Location: Selby, North Yorkshire
User status: Offline
|
Add VAT...
They could put "Sample" I think, then you don't have to pay tax... i THINK!
[Edited on 24-05-2012 by daymoon]
|
ed
Member
Registered: 10th Sep 03
User status: Offline
|
There will be VAT and import tax. Marking as gift or sample is a little dodgy when they aren't and reputable companies normally refuse to do it.
I recently ordered something from the states that was about $800 and the taxes for it worked out at something like £120.
|
Rob E
Member
Registered: 1st Jan 06
Location: Madeley, Stafford....I want to live back in Wales!
User status: Offline
|
Also, the UK courier will try to add a surcharge onto of the customs fees that will be outstanding when they attempt to deliver the parts. You can legally tell them to stick these charges up their arse which can save you a few quid 
Edit: Here is the link for anyone interested in how to avoid paying the surcharges
[Edited on 24-05-2012 by Rob E]
|
Sam
Moderator Premium Member
Registered: 24th Dec 99
Location: West Midlands
User status: Offline
|
Bullshit - no you can't "legally" tell them to stick the charges up their arse.
If you don't pay, you don't get your parcel - simple.
http://www.royalmail.com/delivery/mail-advice/customs-information?campaignid=customs_redirect
quote: If you are receiving a package from overseas (unless it’s from another EU Country), please be aware that it may incur customs charges. Any package assessed by HM Revenue and customs as being liable for customs charges will also incur a Royal Mail handling fee of £8.
Any goods imported into the UK over the value of £18 are liable to import VAT. Please note that with effect from 1 November 2011 the £18 threshold will be reduced to £15. Gifts between private individuals over the value of £40 are also liable for VAT. Goods and gifts over these values may also be liable for customs duty. You no longer have to pay customs duty for goods up to the value of £135, however you will still be required to pay import VAT and excise duty where applicable.
http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/customs/post/internet.htm#5
quote: Customs Duty
If you're ordering goods from outside the EU, any Customs Duty must be paid by the recipient once the goods have arrived in the UK but before the goods are delivered.
Import VAT
If you're ordering goods from outside the EU, any Import VAT must be paid by the recipient once the goods have arrived in the UK but before the goods are delivered.
In addition, there may also be a handling fee to pay to the carrier.
http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/customs/post/paying-tax.htm
quote: If you're sending or receiving goods by post for your personal use from outside the European Union (EU), you'll have to pay any tax and/or duty once the goods arrive in the UK. Normally Royal Mail/Parcelforce will pay what's due on your behalf and may charge a handling fee which you must pay before your parcel can be delivered.
Also - the bit in that forum post about "you will receive a seperate invoice for the Parcelforce admin charges a few days after you receive your parcel" is also bullshit - I know for a FACT that you get that invoice/letter BEFORE they deliver the parcel to you!
And before anyone moans about me simply copying and pasting shit off some forum - I used to work for DHL dealing with Duty & VAT queries every single day so I know what I am talking about, I just linked the relevant information from the RM and HMRC websites as proof.
[Edited on 25-05-2012 by Sam]
|
Sam
Moderator Premium Member
Registered: 24th Dec 99
Location: West Midlands
User status: Offline
|
Anyway - to answer your original post Mark, check this site out:
http://www.dutycalculator.com
|
SXI - Matt
Member
Registered: 8th Jul 07
Location: Leicestershire Drives: Corsa C SRI
User status: Offline
|
Not sure it's the same as was clothes, my dad ordered some shirts and boots from the states, totalled £330 and when ups turned up there was a £100 charge to pay. Not sure whether this was some ridiculous ups charge but when questioned it at the door he said it was customs so be careful
|
Jambo
Member
Registered: 8th Sep 01
Location: Maidenhead, Drives: VXR Arctic
User status: Offline
|
What you buying?
|
SetH
Member
Registered: 15th Jul 01
User status: Online
|
1337 thread pwnage by Sam, thanks mate 
Jambo I am buying one of those dolls
|
Gary
Premium Member
Registered: 22nd Nov 06
Location: West Yorkshire
User status: Offline
|
Have them mark it as samples.
|
John
Member
Registered: 30th Jun 03
User status: Offline
|
That's all rubbish is it not, they get VAT and duty applied as per value, nothing to do with gift, just that a lot of the time you get away with it.
|
Gary
Premium Member
Registered: 22nd Nov 06
Location: West Yorkshire
User status: Offline
|
Vat will always be applied.
Duty can be avoided, but avoiding duty normally means your goods arnt insured by the usps etc
|
Sam
Moderator Premium Member
Registered: 24th Dec 99
Location: West Midlands
User status: Offline
|
quote: Originally posted by Gary
Have them mark it as samples.
Most legit companies will refuse to do this as it's illegal.
|
Gary
Premium Member
Registered: 22nd Nov 06
Location: West Yorkshire
User status: Offline
|
Never said it wasn't 
Duty is only a few % anyway. I used to add 25% to the price and was never far wrong.
|
A2H GO
Member
Registered: 14th Sep 04
Location: Stoke
User status: Offline
|
When I first started importing stuff regularly I was paying loads in import tax/duty but now just ask them to mark the value as $30 which they're happy to do if it results in my repeat custom , not been charged since.
Whether the company in question will be willing to do this for you is a different question.
[Edited on 25-05-2012 by A2H GO]
|
CORSA NUT
Member
Registered: 3rd Aug 01
Location: Wirral
User status: Offline
|
I remember buying a 60's maple neck for my old Fender Strat from the states. It was £250 but ended up costing me about £320 after all the frieght and taxes
|
emicen
Member
Registered: 26th Jul 10
Location: Glasgow
User status: Offline
|
quote: Originally posted by A2H GO
When I first started importing stuff regularly I was paying loads in import tax/duty but now just ask them to mark the value as $30 which they're happy to do if it results in my repeat custom , not been charged since.
Whether the company in question will be willing to do this for you is a different question.
[Edited on 25-05-2012 by A2H GO]
...which limits the insured value to $30
|