Import duty/VAT on imports from USA

paranoid-taxpayer

I'm sure this has been asked before, but I could not find any reference to it.
What is due in tax, when you mail order a laptop for instance, that is a secondhand item, from the US? What import duty (if any), and what VAT (if any) is applicable. Any info greatly appreciated.

sturll

paranoid-taxpayer wrote: »

I'm sure this has been asked before, but I could not find any reference to it.
What is due in tax, when you mail order a laptop for instance, that is a secondhand item, from the US? What import duty (if any), and what VAT (if any) is applicable. Any info greatly appreciated.

None if you mark it 'gift' and mark its value at $50

But - if you have a sudden attack of the morals and decide to be the only person this year to pay it then see the following:

http://customs.hmrc.gov.uk/channelsPortalWebApp/channelsPortalWebApp.portal?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=pageVAT_ShowContent&id=HMCE_CL_001454&propertyType=document

aerostar

Who on earth would buy a second hand laptop from the US even if it had a warranty, the cost of shipping is not small in either direction and with the $ rate at the moment would probably not be a good buy.

However it comes into this country, if customs charge vat on it you will also be charged the couriers standard price for clearing it, and pay Vat on that as well.

So your cheap item could land up far more expensive than you realised.

New regs come in in December raising the amount you can purchase without duty, BUT you would still be liable to VAT, even secondhand.

"None if you mark it 'gift' and mark its value at $50" getting the sender to state this could leave them open to recourse as well as your self.

Ring your local HMRC and ask them.

silvercar

From 1 December 2008, the value before customs duty becomes payable rises to £105. VAT limit remains at £18. Excise duties remain the same.

Bob63

0% duty on laptop, but 17.5% VAT due on value of laptop including shipping costs. The shipping company (e.g. DHL, Royal Mail) may also charge you a substantial handling fee for customs clearance.

custardy

sturll wrote: »

None if you mark it 'gift' and mark its value at $50

But - if you have a sudden attack of the morals and decide to be the only person this year to pay it then see the following:

http://customs.hmrc.gov.uk/channelsPortalWebApp/channelsPortalWebApp.portal?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=pageVAT_ShowContent&id=HMCE_CL_001454&propertyType=document

and you think customs dont ever charge items marked as gifts?

Jasper27_2

OP I work for customs and revenue and would not try to evade duty as it could cost me my job. However I regularly buy from the US and sometimes the parcels get picked up for duty and sometimes they don't. I'm at a loss to figure out why, it appears to be pure chance.

custardy

sheer volume i would say if its coming via USPS/RM