Advice on VAT & Customs - Purchasing from USA

Albert_32

I would like to buy some clothes from a USA website to the value of approx £100.

Would I be liable on any VAT on my purchase?

Appreciate anybody's experience or advice.

Kind regards,

Albert

spender

Normally you are allowed about £150.00 before paying VAT and excise duty. I bought some apres ski boots from USA for the kids, no charges at all. If you are worried check on the Customs website.

Albert_32

Thanks guy's for the info thanks fantastic.

I will order the clothes and will be prepared to pay - fingers crossed it slips through.

Cheers,

Albert

martindow

Good luck. I have found that US suppliers tend to glue the invoice on the outside of the parcel and they nearly always arrive with a bill. The VAT is charged on the total price of the goods and carriage cost. Some items also have import duties charged; the VAT web site or phone help line can give details of what this will be. Most importers also charge a clearance fee for handling customs clearance of £8 or more.

eggey

Albert_32 wrote:

Thanks guy's for the info thanks fantastic.

I will order the clothes and will be prepared to pay - fingers crossed it slips through.

Cheers,

Albert

I have found with smaller retailers they are often prepared to help you out a little bit, but the cost at $35 which goes through customs perfectly, its worth speaking with someone just in case!!

dc

spender wrote:

Normally you are allowed about £150.00 before paying VAT and excise duty. I bought some apres ski boots from USA for the kids, no charges at all. If you are worried check on the Customs website.

I think you are confusing what you can bring back with you from a visit to the States (duty free), which is around £150. You are liable for Vat and Duty on all items sent to you, as has been said.
In reality, it is pot luck as to whether you do or dont get charged.

dc

RufusA

Albert_32 wrote:

Thanks guy's for the info thanks fantastic.

I will order the clothes and will be prepared to pay - fingers crossed it slips through.

Cheers,

Albert

Be aware that there is usually an Admin fee levied by the courier/royal mail in addition to the duty / vat.

i.e. for example £100 clothes + £25 shipping = £125.
Duty @ 12% = £15
VAT @ 17.5% = £24.50
Admin (duty collection) Fee = £10

Therefore your £100 clothes could cost nearly £175 to arrive in the UK!

YMMV - Rufus.

myrnahaz

Any VAT due (and the admin fee that Rufus mentioned) are payable to the courier at the time of delivery, so be prepared to pay the courier or they will refuse to leave the parcel. There's always the chance that there won't be any additional charges at all - just be prepared to pay 'at the door'.

RufusA

myrnahaz wrote:

Any VAT due (and the admin fee that Rufus mentioned) are payable to the courier at the time of delivery, so be prepared to pay the courier or they will refuse to leave the parcel. There's always the chance that there won't be any additional charges at all - just be prepared to pay 'at the door'.

Or for some couriers (DHL used to be like this) you can get an unexpected invoice through the post 6 weeks after getting the parcel and thinking you've escaped scot free.

YMMV - Rufus.

amar_2

Yeah I remember buying some shoes for $50 and then then four weeks later getting a letter from fedex asking for another 30 quid!

Albert_32

Thanks for all the wealth of info.

I have an option - I could get my friend in the US to purchase the clothes on my behalf, and then forward them onto me as a gift to disguise...

Would this be a better option in trying to avoid the VAT?

Appreciate any thoughts..

Albert