Rayman Posted October 26, 2006 Share Posted October 26, 2006 How do i work out how much customs import tax would cost. Is it a percentage of the total value of the item, what sort of percentage is it, does anyone know? Its an item from the USA! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2JG Posted October 26, 2006 Share Posted October 26, 2006 TBH I don't even think customs officers know sometimes! I think it's a percentage of the amount stated on the parcel AFTER it is converted to GBP. Though I could be wrong, can't remember the percentage that's applied though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rayman Posted October 26, 2006 Author Share Posted October 26, 2006 Yes its pretty weird as sometimes you can get away without having to pay anything. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mas Posted October 26, 2006 Share Posted October 26, 2006 depends on what you are importing, if its a Car then its 10% of the Value + Shipping and then VAT on top of that. If you are importing other stuff then every thing has its own rate . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rayman Posted October 26, 2006 Author Share Posted October 26, 2006 argh right after motor oil. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2JG Posted October 26, 2006 Share Posted October 26, 2006 I think it's something like if the value of the item is less than $50 then you will not incur any charges. I've just done a quick google search and I think what you're charged a set clearing fee and then VAT. EDIT: Beaten to it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SUPRASUZUKI Posted October 26, 2006 Share Posted October 26, 2006 When I bought my bike in from the USA I was charged 6% import duty on the cost of the bike and the shipping. This equated to about £5300 (once the duty was added). Then, to add insult to injury I was charged 17.5% on top of the £5300. Rip off, but I still saved £1k over the UK cost. Depends on the type of goods being imported though, as different goods attract different rates of duty. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rayman Posted October 26, 2006 Author Share Posted October 26, 2006 There's no tax on gifts is there? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mas Posted October 26, 2006 Share Posted October 26, 2006 forgot to say you are free of paying duty on anything that Priced under 17 GBP, so anything over that then yes it can be a rip off. and no taxt on gifts Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2JG Posted October 26, 2006 Share Posted October 26, 2006 no, shouldn't be Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Homer Posted October 26, 2006 Share Posted October 26, 2006 After buying tons of stuff from abroad only once have I been asked to pay import tax. A £600 XS power kit had a declared value of $61 which resulted in a £21 tax charge. How they worked that out I have no idea. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rayman Posted October 26, 2006 Author Share Posted October 26, 2006 and no taxt on gifts hmmm:innocent: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisSZ Posted October 26, 2006 Share Posted October 26, 2006 Nope - if you can persuade the poster to gift wrap it you're home and dry:) The other one for car parts is to have them labelled as experimental or developmental with no commercial/retail value Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rayman Posted October 26, 2006 Author Share Posted October 26, 2006 After buying tons of stuff from abroad only once have I been asked to pay import tax. A £600 XS power kit had a declared value of $61 which resulted in a £21 tax charge. How they worked that out I have no idea. pmsl, bet the customs officers opened it and thort wtf $61 for all this! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisSZ Posted October 26, 2006 Share Posted October 26, 2006 (+ customs 'handling fee') grr... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rayman Posted October 26, 2006 Author Share Posted October 26, 2006 Nope - if you can persuade the poster to gift wrap it you're home and dry:) The other one for car parts is to have them labelled as experimental or developmental with no commercial/retail value Clever stuff!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SimonB Posted October 26, 2006 Share Posted October 26, 2006 Nope - if you can persuade the poster to gift wrap it you're home and dry:) The other one for car parts is to have them labelled as experimental or developmental with no commercial/retail value Not true, gifts are still charged if they are more than 36 odd quid. The limit on non-gifts is about £18 IIRC. And to qualify as a gift it has to be sent from a private address. You pay import duty on the declared value plus shipping, and then VAT on that total. The amount of duty depends on what it is, there's a website where you can look it up but it's normally 5-8%. So if the value was £80 and the shipping £20 you would be charged import duty at say 5% which would make it £105, then VAT which would make it £123. Then you have the handling fee charged by the courier, which is normally £10-15ish. Obviously if the sender declares the value as less than it actually is you pay less unless customs open it and it's obviously undervalued, in which case they would impound it. Plus the insurance on shipping will only pay out the declared value if it's lost. That's what most places do though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Please sign in to comment
You will be able to leave a comment after signing in
Sign In Now