Customs Question

pug_in_a_bed

Does anyone have any idea the customs limit on stuff from the USA? I want to purchase an item at about £17 excluding p+p, will I have to pay on that? Anyone know how much, or how customs work out how much you need to pay?

Hintza

£18 is the limit so you will be OK. Ensure that it comes by post and not courier. Courier companies seem to drag charges out of thin air.


Go HERE to see best methods of postage from USA.

bleugh

you #should# be ok with £17, but i've had the gestapo at customs open two packages in the last year and hit me with a bill as they've taken P&P into the total, taking it over £18
the first time i didnt really think about it, the second time when the postie asked for payment i took the parcel off him and shut the door on him refusing to pay

the_devil_made_me_do_it

I got to say, I buy regularly from the USA and not just via ebay. I've spent a fortune on 1 transaction alone & never been charged customs yet :cool: maybe it's been luck I don't know. However, if you request the seller tick the gift box on the customs label, then the limit of what you can bring into the country is higher.

Hintza

I had the customs investigate me last year, every package for a month was stopped and I had to jump through numerous hoops to get it sorted out. Everything was above board and I don't have a problem anymore.


Only other point is to make sure P+P are reasonable otherwise they might have a reason to charge you but in most instances they don't bother.

Malestrom

the_devil_made_me_do_it wrote:

However, if you request the seller tick the gift box on the customs label, then the limit of what you can bring into the country is higher.

Be careful, marking the item or having it marked as a gift to avoid paying duty is a offence! I remember reading that on the HM Revenue & Customs website a few months back. Items marked as 'Gift' can have a value of up to £36.

the_devil_made_me_do_it

Malestrom wrote:

Be careful, marking the item or having it marked as a gift to avoid paying duty is a offence! I remember reading that on the HM Revenue & Customs website a few months back. Items marked as 'Gift' can have a value of up to £36.

yes but there are times companies from USA tick the gift box without customers request. Happened to myself and a few other people I know.