Ordering goods from USA - Importing goods to UK

k2150

I want to order a chef's kitchen knife online from the USA, the item is new and it costs $40.00 US and that includes the shipping.

I'm a bit worried because many years ago I ordered a new camera lens from the USA and when it arrived in London I got a letter from a handling agent at Heathrow airport stating that I not only had to pay the import duties, but I also had to pay a handling fee to the agent for processing my order through customs.

I live quite close to Heathrow airport and could have easily done this myself but there was no choice in this matter I had to pay the fee before they would send me the order, (by normail mail). I have 2 questions ...


1. How much will I have to pay in import duties, VAT, and/or any other taxes in total for a $40 item from the USA ?

2. Can I process my own order through customs thereby avoiding these agents fee's ?


thanks in advance.

Owain_Moneysaver

2. Only if you carry the item through customs yourself, i.e. buy it in the US and bring it back with you.

visidigi

Owain_Moneysaver wrote: »

2. Only if you carry the item through customs yourself, i.e. buy it in the US and bring it back with you.

Not true.

The OP can request that they process the clearance of the good themselves, but the cost of doing so, as a one of, on an individual basis would make it more expensive to do than letting the carrier do it themselves (economies of scale...)

As for how much the duties would be, hard to say - depends how its declared, but for an official answer ring the HMRC helpline on 0845 010 9000

k2150

thanks for the number, I'll give them a call tomorrow.

InsideInsurance

http://www.dutycalculator.com is good for giving you an idea as on the phone some of the customs people can not be very helpful about identify what the product is.

According to the website metal cutlery are duty free so you'd just have the VAT to pay (20%)

Hintza

Work on 20% + handling fee. If by Royal Mail that will be £8.

But it might sail through without being stopped (unlikely possibly becuse it is knife)

k2150

Thanks guys, so approx £16 in charges for a Kitchen knife that costs £30 in the US, that's too steep for my liking so I'll be looking closer to home for an alternative brand, thanks again!


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