Ordering from America

Ian_iD

Hello, sorry if this is the wrong place to post this but I couldn't see where else to post.

I would like to order some items from Scottevest.com, for which I have a code for 25% off if anyone would like it, but have never ordered from US before. I am trying to work out how much extra I will be charged with import taxes etc. I have looked at the government site but I dont really understand it I'm afraid!

http://customs.hmrc.gov.uk/channelsPortalWebApp/channelsPortalWebApp.portal?_nfpb=true&propertyType=document&_pageLabel=pageTravel_ShowContent&id=HMCE_CL_000014#P20_1785


Thanks for any help

Elvisia

Import taxes are a bit of a lottery from my experience. I order stuff from abroad as it can be a quarter of the price here. They generally seem to charge for VAT which is 20%, and then you get a charge on top of that of either £8 if it's sent through the post office, or £12 if it's through a private carrier like FedEx. This is because they pay the charges then charge you for the 'loan'. There is an online calculator (I can't work your link to see if that is it) but I have found it to be exceedingly unreliable. It also depends on what the company put on the package in terms of it's worth, some of them put the full cost, others are sneaky and put the amount they paid for it so you pay less tax.

The last thing I bought was $100 in total and I paid no tax on it, if that helps (special old people shoes for my parents!).

kittymaruko

I buy from the states pretty frequently and it ends up being 20% VAT+6-8% for customs and charges. Pretty hefty so unless u get it for at least 40% cheaper than UK to begin with , it's not worth the hassles!

Haffiana

You won't get charged any import (customs) duty unless the item costs more than £135. You will be charged VAT at 20% on anything above £15 - that includes the item cost and on the postage/shipping cost. There will be an additional charge by the carrier (typically £8- £15) for sorting the VAT out on your behalf.

http://www.dutycalculator.com/ is the best site for working it all out!

Ian_iD

Great, thanks everyone. At the moment my stuff comes to £125 that's with 25% discount so hopefully won't get customs. Scottevest don't currently sell anything other than Vests on Amazon in UK. They won't put the actual amount before discount would they!?

Queenriderbrekke

Ian_iD wrote: »

Great, thanks everyone. At the moment my stuff comes to £125 that's with 25% discount so hopefully won't get customs. Scottevest don't currently sell anything other than Vests on Amazon in UK. They won't put the actual amount before discount would they!?

You may still get charged VAT at 20% + £8-£15 depending on the carrier on £125 and whatever postage you pay because it is over £15 for VAT.:)

You may get lucky and not get caught by customs, but to avoid disappointment always think you are going to get caught and charged!

Ian_iD

Thanks again guys.

I rang the customs help line and they said it might be about 12% added on garments, then 20% VAT?

ladylashlash

It's really hit and miss to be honest. But whenever I've been charged its been 20% plus the handling fee. It depends on packaging and everything. Some companies don't have the value on the package so it goes through. I always look at it as though ill gt charged and if I don't its a bonus

jenniewb

I seem to always get caught out! I get charged 20% of what the item is worth (not always what you pay for it even if receipts are included in the packaging) and then a handling fee which two years ago was £15, not sure what it is now.

BaritoneUK

Ian_iD wrote: »

Thanks again guys.

I rang the customs help line and they said it might be about 12% added on garments, then 20% VAT?

Did you order a ScotteVest in the end? I'd really like one, but concerned about all the added costs at the end.