razza Posted February 14, 2007 Share Posted February 14, 2007 Anyone know how much is import tax from america? hoping to get the lady a certain pricey ring there this week, and hope fully will be able to get it back home without customs spotting it and asking for tax to be paid on it. If they do catch it, what % do you have to pay? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveK Posted February 14, 2007 Share Posted February 14, 2007 If nobody knows - I think the govt website tells you (if you can find it). I thought the tax depended on the type of item it was (so for example, jewellry might be 10%, electronic equipment might be 15%). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobbeh Posted February 14, 2007 Share Posted February 14, 2007 Think you have to pay VAT on it too. In theory you can claim back your tax paid in the US when you leave. If the value isnt over £145/300 (dunno if its changed yet) you dont have to pay anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
razza Posted February 14, 2007 Author Share Posted February 14, 2007 unfortunately for my wallet it's going to be quite a bit over that:( I'll have to find out when out there then.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveK Posted February 14, 2007 Share Posted February 14, 2007 unfortunately for my wallet it's going to be quite a bit over that:( I'll have to find out when out there then.... Isn't this the wrong way around? You are paying UK import tax - it's not affected by the fact that it's coming from the USA - only that it's coming from outside the UK. So it's here that you need to find out the details, not the US. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobbeh Posted February 14, 2007 Share Posted February 14, 2007 Yeah, you buy item in US, pay x% sales tax... which in theory you can reclaim. You get to UK customs and then if value is above the limited amount you pay VAT on it, and 12.5% import duty I think? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dragonlady Posted February 14, 2007 Share Posted February 14, 2007 There is a way of avoiding the tax, may need to see if you can still do it though. Have the present wrapped in USA, and if it is classed as a gift there is no tax payable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dragonlady Posted February 14, 2007 Share Posted February 14, 2007 My mother has sent pressies for me, she lives in San Antonio Texas. No tax. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SUPRASUZUKI Posted February 14, 2007 Share Posted February 14, 2007 There are different rates depending on the item. Check the Gov website. When I imported my bike it cost me the 6% import duty on the cost of the bike + the shipping, then 17.5% on top of that. So (all in £) ((4,500, + 250) x 1.06)) x 1.175. So you pay the duty, then VAT on the duty!! Robbing f***** b****. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobbeh Posted February 14, 2007 Share Posted February 14, 2007 My mother has sent pressies for me, she lives in San Antonio Texas. No tax. Yes no sales tax in Texas.. but if it came here and was over a certain value you'd have to pay, gift or not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SUPRASUZUKI Posted February 14, 2007 Share Posted February 14, 2007 I just recieved a guage from my parents in the states, clearly labelled as a gift. I had to pay vat. The gift was 'duty' free, but still attracted VAT. I didn't believe it, so I checked on the Gov website and found it to be true. If the VAT is below a certain amount (6 or 8 quid ish) they waive the vat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Supra ST Myster Posted February 14, 2007 Share Posted February 14, 2007 import duty is a joke, bought a stereo from Japan for £50, postage was £36, and i have to pay parcel force £36.50 to get it to me!!! £7 was duty, £16.50 was the VAT and £13 was parcel force clearence fee or summit like that!! Not impressed... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveK Posted February 14, 2007 Share Posted February 14, 2007 I just found something on the web. It's probably not accurate because it's dated 2005 - but that says that on jewellery, you will pay a 2.5% import duty, and 17.5% VAT. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SUPRASUZUKI Posted February 14, 2007 Share Posted February 14, 2007 import duty is a joke, bought a stereo from Japan for £50, postage was £36, and i have to pay parcel force £36.50 to get it to me!!! £7 was duty, £16.50 was the VAT and £13 was parcel force clearence fee or summit like that!! Not impressed... Yep, I got stung by parcel force for their 13.50 clearance fee too. Not all parcels get intercepted though, so people can get away with it. I think I'll get my parents to smuggle stuff back next time they visit. They may struggle with a full suspension set-up and brembo brake kit in a suitcase though. Life's never as simple as it seems. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
merckx Posted February 14, 2007 Share Posted February 14, 2007 You're bringing it home yourself or it's getting sent in the post? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
razza Posted February 14, 2007 Author Share Posted February 14, 2007 she'll probably have it on her finger, so I'm thinking hide the box in the suitcase and the reciepts in my wallet, and "we bought it before we went to America, honest guv" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveK Posted February 14, 2007 Share Posted February 14, 2007 Do you really need the box? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
merckx Posted February 14, 2007 Share Posted February 14, 2007 Wear the ring and just put the box in your luggage if you want to keep it , or throw it away. Put the receipt in you pocket or send it home in an envelope. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnd-mkiv Posted February 14, 2007 Share Posted February 14, 2007 Ive just been busted £123 on import duty and vat for £600 of goods from america Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
razza Posted February 14, 2007 Author Share Posted February 14, 2007 Do you really need the box? i don't, but you know how women get Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveK Posted February 14, 2007 Share Posted February 14, 2007 i don't, but you know how women get I do indeed - and I guessed that was probably the answer! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest 248SPG Posted February 19, 2007 Share Posted February 19, 2007 :D Busted Razza!!!!! Ah well guess I really am the last then!!!! Let me be the first to congratulate you. Well I am guessing she says yes anyway Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ivan Posted February 19, 2007 Share Posted February 19, 2007 i don't, but you know how women get Just tell her it'll cost HER the import tax and VAT if she really wants to keep the box. I know women alright - the purse rules every time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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