Importing goods from Turkey to sell in UK

lizzie2579_2

Hi all, I hope this is the right place to post this. I am going to turkey next week and I was thinking of bringing back some items to try and sell back in the UK. I was just thinking of small things (that will go in my case) like jewellery to sell to friends to start off with and if that went well maybe something bigger like homewares or even rugs.

I was just wondering if anyone has tried anything like this before or knows anything about import tax and shipping as I have no idea!! I am self employed already so anything I ear I would just add to my tax return but I would love some advice on import tax and shipping so I can work out if it would be worthwhile!

Thanks a lot,
Lizzie

Tiddlywinks

How about trying the HMRC website first? Or looking at the Customs Tariff? Contacting your local Chamber of Commerce? Buying some books from WH Smith?

That would be my starting point if I knew nothing about commercial importations and I was planning to start next week. I wouldn't really trust my business plan to a bunch of strangers on an internet forum.

paddedjohn

fill your case with all your gear and pesent yourself to customs when you re-enter the uk, they will tell you how much import duty you will have to pay

lizzie2579_2

To be completely honest I was just going to have a look around next week and maybe bring a few small pieces of jewellery back for friends, I wasn't planning on importing anything as such next week. I was just asking in case anyone has tried anything similar and could give me some advice or has any idea about import tax for the future!
Thanks
:T

InsideInsurance

I imagine that most people who do it for small, suitcase sized loads will try and smuggle them in undeclared or keep it under the £390 personal goods allowance. Obviously if you are shipping them then a customs form will have to be completed and it becomes a different matter.

Ultimately it is dependent on HMRC to classify the items etc but http://www.dutycalculator.com/new-import-duty-and-tax-calculation/ is a good rough guide on the likely cost. Remember that if you're using a courier etc then they may add an administration fee on top of the cost

eamon

Customs & import duties may not be an obstacle. In economic trading terms Turkey like Norway & Switzerland is a defacto member of the EU
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Union_%E2%80%93_Turkey_Customs_Union
But why not buck the trend and export UK made goods to Turkey!

Tiddlywinks

eamon wrote: »

Customs & import duties may not be an obstacle. In economic trading terms Turkey like Norway & Switzerland is a defacto member of the EU
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Union_%E2%80%93_Turkey_Customs_Union

Not strictly true - no disrespect to Eamon as I know you are trying to help.

Commercial imports from Turkey need to comply with 'preference' requirements:

http://customs.hmrc.gov.uk/channelsPortalWebApp/channelsPortalWebApp.portal?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=pageLibrary_ShowContent&id=HMCE_CL_000180&propertyType=document#P16_1220

This is why it is important for people wishing to set up an import business to actually do their own research with the relevant authorities rather than rely on strangers on an internet forum.

eamon

Oh! Selective reading strikes again. I never said or implied that there would be no rules, regulations and processes etc regarding importing commercial goods from Turkey. Perhaps I should have underlined the word "may".

Of course I agree with Tiddlywinks if the OP is serious then a load of research is required.

lizzie2579_2

Thanks for the links. I'm not relying on help from strangers I was simply asking for a little advice if anyone has done anything similar and could give me a rough idea of costings and how it works in simple terms!! I wasn't asking for a detailed explanation, just any advice if anyone has tried anything like this before. Thanks again. If I think it could lead to anything I will do some proper research!!