How much is customs duty?

paulstevens

I am looking for a site or guide which explains customs duty and how much this will be / what affects it etc.

I am assessing whether importing would be viable for my business.

Thanks

sugarspunsister

Link to F.A.Q on import/export << that might help

paulstevens

Link not working

never_red_Paul

I don't know of any websites that can help, but I work in importing and will gladly try to help if you want to mail me privately, or post any questions here.

Paul

pin

Have you been to the HMRC website: http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/

sugarspunsister

paulstevens wrote:

Link not working

Sorry about that:

This one work?

Basically the F.A.Q's near the top will give more info on finding out costs involved.

never_red_Paul

sugarspunsister wrote:

Basically the F.A.Q's near the top will give more info on finding out costs involved.

I've had a look through this and it's a very good starting point. When you import the easiest way is to use a shipping agent who handles the customs entry, and who will advise the tariff heading (commodity code) to use, they all have access to the tariff book mentioned.

If you're just looking at one product, by all means let me know what it is and I'll get you a commodity code and let you know the duty applicable to it. I import kids promotional merchandise, I'm not looking to pinch your idea (honest!)

cash99

PaulSten wrote:

When you import the easiest way is to use a shipping agent who handles the customs entry, and who will advise the tariff heading (commodity code) to use, they all have access to the tariff book mentioned.

Don't rely on shipping agents to classify your goods. The tariffs are very complicated and it is very likely that they will not know exactly which heading your goods fall under. If your goods are misclassified you end up under of over paying duty, which is you responsibility not the shippers. I spent 9 months reclaiming over paid duty, on goods misclassified by a shipping agent.

Identify what tariff heading you goods fall under from this website. http://www.uktradeinfo.com/. The website deals with intrastats ( intra EU trading statistics), but the commodity codes they use are the same as used for importing goods into the EU. Once you have a rough idea of the tariff heading you can get duty rates from Tariff Classification Service (01702 366077).


You may find that it is that same duty rate for a whole group of products, or it may be that rate are applied to individual items. Obviously correct classification is more important in the latter case, as it may mean the difference between paying duty or not.