Buying from USA import duty

supersaint71

Hi folks,

I was thinking of buying a Laptop in the US and have I couriered over here, I was wondering if anyone has done this and how much the import duty costs, also if anyone has good suggestions on how to minimise the cost of the import duty

thanks
ss71

Astaroth

I wouldnt advise committing the criminal offence of tax avoidance.

If you look at the HMRC website it will tell you what the rate of duty is for the type of item - most are around 8% - plus you then have to pay 17.5% on VAT

All fees are payable on the total cost of your order including P&P and insurance.

Some couriers will pay it for you and then claim it back from yourself adding their own administration fee to it as well.

JohalaReewi

Might find the following HMRC websites handy...

http://customs.hmrc.gov.uk/channelsPortalWebApp/channelsPortalWebApp.portal?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=pageTravel_ShowContent&propertyType=document&resetCT=true&id=HMCE_CL_001454

http://customs.hmrc.gov.uk/channelsPortalWebApp/channelsPortalWebApp.portal?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=pageTravel_ShowContent&id=HMCE_CL_000014&propertyType=document

http://customs.hmrc.gov.uk/channelsPortalWebApp/channelsPortalWebApp.portal?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=pageTravel_ShowContent&id=HMCE_PROD_009989&propertyType=document

raa_thistle

you will find this one even more useful, as you can find out the exact duty rate CLICKY

i dont know what the taric code for a laptop is, but you can search by description, and then input the country of origin as US (i think the code is 400) and it tells you the import duty.

You do have to pay 17.5% VAT though, unless your item is exempt, which PCs arent.

HTH

supersaint71

thanks guys all the info is extremly helpful.. the last website in particular is very handy.

cheers
ss71

richt71

supersaint71 wrote:

Hi folks,

I was thinking of buying a Laptop in the US and have I couriered over here, I was wondering if anyone has done this and how much the import duty costs, also if anyone has good suggestions on how to minimise the cost of the import duty

thanks
ss71

Depending how the seller sends it too you, the carrier company will demand duties from you before giving you the laptop i'm afraid. Post office do it as do UPS and fedex.

worcester1

why don't you get a mate or work colleague going on hols to American to get it for you and bring it as personal item.

I had a mate at work brought me a watch back costing £450 at harvey Nichs (got it for just under $400). Also a top of the range digi camera. In all I saved myself over £250 and didn't have to pay any taxes or duty.

It's a buyers market world we live in, so grap any opportunity to avoid UK high prices and save yourself £00's. Of course as long as it's legal. I am fortunate enough to have families and friends in most part of the world, so I always get them to compare prices and go for the cheapest.

mrtg0525

Another potential issue I would see with buying a laptop in the US is that their warranties tend to be shorter over there, plus you may well have to send it back to the US to get it repaired unless you have some kind of worldwide warranty/repair service on it.

Don't forget that most/all courier companies also charge you a fee for the customs processing. Has been a while since I got expensive computer parts from the US but back then I think they wanted a tenner or somesuch.