HMV Online - Custom Charges

Risk_2

Hello, new to the site/forum. I have a query regarding HMV.co.uk which I hope can be answered here:

From:
http://www.hmv.co.uk/hmvweb/navigate.do?ctx=1671;-1;-1;-1&pPageID=1071

The prices payable for goods are as set out in the web site, exclusive of VAT, and any duties and local taxes. If the shipping address is in the UK, HMV will collect UK import VAT from you on behalf of the consignee where necessary. Consignments sent to the UK of a value of £18 or under are relieved from import VAT under current legislation. For purchases by UK businesses, no evidence of payment of UK import VAT can be provided. Customers ordering for delivery outside of the UK will be responsible for payment of any local taxes payable including VAT, and will be required to pay extra for delivery and clearance where necessary.



What I am not too sure is if I order goods totalling just above £18 to the UK (in my case £18.20) will I be liable to pay the import tax as HMV.co.uk are based out of Guernsey.

I am using the £2 off £20 purchase online voucher so I am not going to buy the items individually.

I apologise if this is extreme penny pinching, being over cautious or just been misinterepted but how Customs work out tax is beyond me; I have imported items which have been declared at above £18 although this was in other currencies and have not had to pay an import tax but not with items denominated in UK pounds.

Has anyone been charged an extra tax on purchasing from HMV since they moved online operations to Guernsey?

Sorry if this is in the wrong place and if this has been brought up before, I used the search tool but could not find any previous posts and I thought this was the right board to post. Thanks for reading and your help.

PS Was there a Martin's newsletter this week as I don't think I got one or is it just a slow week?

PPS Just saw this:

http://www.hmv.co.uk/hmvweb/navigate.do?ctx=1071;-1;-1;-1&pPageID=1664

Each item on your order will be charged and dispatched to you separately.


Which answers my querey personally but I'd be interested to know if singular items which are £18 or above are taxed?
Ta

Locky

You won't ever get charged for import tax whether the item you buy is over £18 or not because HMV pay it - all their packages say "IMPORT VAT PRE-PAID".

The same applies to Play, Amazon Jersey, Tesco Jersey, Sainsburys, etc (based in Guernsey or Jersey) - the import tax is already paid by the company.

(These companies only pre-pay UK import VAT so those in other countries will probably get charged if the item is over £18.)

From the HM Revenue and Customs site:

"3.4 Pre-payment of import VAT on goods purchased on the internet

For goods purchased on the internet UK Customs have special arrangements that allow some overseas traders to charge, collect and pay over to us the import VAT that would normally be chargeable at the time the goods are imported. These arrangements operate under Memoranda of Understanding signed with the overseas countries customs and postal authorities, and traders wanting to use this procedure must be authorised to do so by these authorities. Once authorised they are issued with a unique authorisation number, which should be shown on the customs declaration or packaging. Also they will include the statement 'Import VAT Pre-paid'. Where these arrangements are used you will not be charged import VAT or a Royal Mail handling fee when you receive your package."

See also bottom paragraph of 'Shopping on the Internet'.

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Also, all of the companies mentioned above post all items individually, whether they are ordered together or not - ie if you order five DVDs you will receive five separate packages.

Risk_2

Thanks thats cleared that up, much appreciated.