Buying from USA?

Lara

I want to buy an item on ebay.com from the US. It would be sent marked as a "gift" so no Fed tax to be paid. Also paid via PayPal. Has anyone encountered any problems buying from there please? Item is $10 + $25 for p&p but over £75 here. Thanks for any advice.

Moneymaker

If it's intercepted at Customs you could be charged import duty and VAT. Also be wary of prices that seem too low. That usually indicates a fake, or a scam. You know the old adage: "If it seems too good to be true.."

aeuerby

Just because it will be marked as a gift doesn't mean it will escape import duty etc.

If I buy from USA I work out how much it would be including VAT and the administration charge that royal mail charge and if it still works out cheaper then I go for it.

If it doesn't get stopped at customs even better!

pennylane99

I buy small items of jewellery from US nearly every week, the seller sends to me just in a jiffy bag without even a customs slip on it.....never had any problem in over a year...

SeldomSensible

I regularly buy stuff from the states on ebay and haven't yet been charged any customs duties (touch wood!)

aqueoushumour01

I've bought a couple of CDs from the US. They were both below the threshold for import tax etc.. but no problems with delivery. You can often get some bargains buying from USA but always factor in the cost of customs just in case you get charged (which you probably will if it's a largish item)

nightswimmer

Lara wrote:

I want to buy an item on ebay.com from the US. It would be sent marked as a "gift" so no Fed tax to be paid.

If the item is only $10 then it doesn't have to be marked as "gift". You are allowed up to £18 (currently $35.48 [*]) before having to pay tax on a comercial consignment. Marking it as a gift when it isn't is illegal.

As for buying from the US, I have done this many times without any problems. All the usual caveats apply though - check the seller's feedback, check their small print, is the deal too good to be true, etc.


[*] The HMRC use their own exchange rate which changes monthly, see HERE for current rates.

Lara

Thank you to you all for your comments. It's a docking station for a camera for a friend. Unfortuantely they are only available over here from one particular company (given name and number by Sony themselves) as the camera is a couple of years old and Sony have stopped making them & selling asseccories. When I phoned yesterday they didn't have any in stock but can get one for me in 14 days at a cost of £75 + p&p. Do not want to pay that sort of money! Hence it will not be a jiffy bag but small box.

Any help in advising how I work out how much tax would be if Customs snooped around I would be grateful for please.

pennylane99

if its an electrical item, is the voltage compatable with UK.....or you will need to get a voltage converter as well.

nightswimmer

Lara wrote:

Any help in advising how I work out how much tax would be if Customs snooped around I would be grateful for please.

If you've only paid $10 for it and you can prove the fact, even if customs stop it, you won't have to pay anything.

Lara

pennylane99 wrote:

if its an electrical item, is the voltage compatable with UK.....or you will need to get a voltage converter as well.

Asked that one already and all seems to be okay. They sent me a copy of the literature for use in the UK. Still don't want to be conned though but do like the exchange rates atm;) !