Import VAT on clothing from the US?

veggie4life

Hello all! Posted this on shop but don't drop but was told i'd get a reply here

Just wondering would i have to pay any sort of customs payment when ordering clothes from the US the HMRC website suggests I would have to pay VAT to the post office plus a post office handling fee? I'm only ordering £40 worth of clothing but it wont really be worth it if I'm slapped with taxes by the government as well

loveangel88

Hi it depends on the value once converted...i think when it hits roughly £30, thats when you get charged. Last time i had something from usa delivered, cost me equivelnt of £40, was charged £13 by p.o all in, and had to go local sorting office to pay for it before i could have it.

i think the £13 is a set charge, its not per item

custardy

loveangel88 wrote: »

Hi it depends on the value once converted...i think when it hits roughly £30, thats when you get charged. Last time i had something from usa delivered, cost me equivelnt of £40, was charged £13 by p.o all in, and had to go local sorting office to pay for it before i could have it.

i think the £13 is a set charge, its not per item

RM charge a flat rate of £8 (its not been the post office in delivery for many years!)
you can alos pay online https://www.royalmail.com/fee2pay
then whatever on top
thats assuming it comes by RM

martindow

I think it is a value over 18 pounds when charges kick in.

veggie4life

that's truly scandalous!

Thanks for your help guys. Will leave the order.

custardy

veggie4life wrote: »

that's truly scandalous!

Thanks for your help guys. Will leave the order.

well if you had a business selling the same clothes in the UK
wouldf you be happy at paying VAT,import taxes etc but individual buyers not?
not saying its right or wrong but its part of the economy

veggie4life

custardy wrote: »

well if you had a business selling the same clothes in the UK
wouldf you be happy at paying VAT,import taxes etc but individual buyers not?
not saying its right or wrong but its part of the economy

quite happy to pay the VAT on an order from abroad not so happy about the £8 royal mail fee.

custardy

veggie4life wrote: »

quite happy to pay the VAT on an order from abroad not so happy about the £8 royal mail fee.

well(and i have said this many times) use another service
or ask HMRC why they dont allow you to pay your customs duty direct (it suits them as it means they dont incur the costs of administrating them)
RM (and all other carriers) have to deal with HMRC
they're not going to do it for free
plenty of couriers will allow you to use a service that coversw all import and clearence fee's.of course that means a higher fee up front

forgotmyname

Paying VAT on the item is expected but paying VAT on the postage charges as well
soon bumps the price up. Especially if the postge is more than the items value.

You may strike lucky & not get charged. Is childrens clothing still vat free?

amcluesent

>I'm only ordering £40 worth of clothing<

Sounds like a 'gift' to me...

martindow

veggie4life wrote: »

quite happy to pay the VAT on an order from abroad not so happy about the £8 royal mail fee.

RM's 8 pound fee is cheaper than anyone else as far as I know. Most carriers charge around 12-15 pounds.