Import duties

1socrates1

Hi,

I purchased an antique camera off of ebay, which came from USA. I am tracking it now on the USPS site and it has been with UK customs for the last 3 days. I was expecting to pay import duties on it from the outset. I have two questions. In general what is the turnaround time at UK customs? Also if it does incur duties do they firstly deliver the goods with a letter attached saying I have incurred such an amount and that I should pay or do I get the letter first and then they send it to me?

Thanks

cyberbob

The turnaround varies, The courier will keep the item until you pay the duty and their administration fee (the fee they charge for dealing with the HMRC). So ontop of any duty you will have a minimum of about £10 extra to pay. Royal mail normally charge far less than the couriers for this admin fee. Fed ex last time I received something from them charged me £20 plus the duty payable.

Sometimes though items going through the royal mail system will get through without you being charged the duty payable. I had some Apple powerbook parts (£200 worth) come through recently all prepared to pay the duty and I wasn't charged.

If Tax is payable you should pay it on the cost over about £19.

1socrates1

Thanks. I think I will be incurring the duties because I asked the seller to declare the full purchase price in order so that he was able to insure for that amount. So the courier will mail me.... Anyway thanks

custardy

1socrates1 wrote: »

Thanks. I think I will be incurring the duties because I asked the seller to declare the full purchase price in order so that he was able to insure for that amount. So the courier will mail me.... Anyway thanks

if it was sent via USPS then its either RM or parcelforce

StaffsSW

The variation in admin fees surprises me - I recently had 3 pallets of stock airfreighted from the USA, total value approaching £6000, yet was still only charged £15 by DHL. And they delivered it to my door, where I normally have to hire a van to collect from East Midlands airport.

Yet when I ordered some mountain bike parts, value only £60, I was charged £20 admin by UPS.