STUNG !!! Import tax

BFG_2

Honey9036 wrote:

some of the bigger ones (DHL, UPS, etc) will actually deliver your goods as normal and then send you an invoice up to a month later. :eek:

I have had this happen to me, and it's very annoying. It also removes the option that you have to refuse delivery of the package.

I'm arguing with FedEx at the moment to see if I can get a charge refunded (chances of success are about 1 in 10,000!!!)

pin

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

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

http://www.hmce.gov.uk/channelsPortalWebApp/channelsPortalWebApp.portal?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=pageTravel_ShowContent&id=HMCE_PROD_009989&propertyType=document (read the pdf)

biblejohn

Pete.g wrote:

Ok so fair enough I expected to pay import tax, but £32 on an item costing £105? surely there must be some sort of mistake?

Nope, that sounds about right. I bought an item for 70quid from the US the other year, thinking id save myself 20quid on the UK price. Got stung by tax, vat, import duty, collection fee`s etc... and it ended up costing me about 120quid or so.

gardnt1

I always ask seller before buying whether he will fill out forms to my criteria...for example decalring its a gift and value of item below £36 ($65-70) wont incur any charges. It all depends on risk at the end of the day.. I have bought items for $300 dollars and had them declared as gift/value $65 because I dont want to pay import duty... and because they are not insured through the postal system anyway... If you want things sent insured, then they have to have the corrct value and will then be subject to fees...postage aswell!

UltraCheap_2

I received a refund for import taxes awhile back, it took about five months to process the paperwork, but worth the £80 I recovered. I made my application to HM Customs and Excise for the refund, link below. I was unfairly charged customs tax for personal belongings that I sent home from Australia, which is fine to do without incurring import taxes (but the delivery company got anxious and slapped on their fees). The people at HM Customs and Excise are really friendly.

http://www.hmce.gov.uk/channelsPortalWebApp/channelsPortalWebApp.portal?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=pageHome_Main

Pete.g

Well I've decided to accept this as a learning curve and will NOT be buying from abroad again. I personally think it is discusting to charge £32 for and item that cost £80 + £25 postage.

Pete.

Hintza

Pete.g wrote:

Well I've decided to accept this as a learning curve and will NOT be buying from abroad again. I personally think it is discusting to charge £32 for and item that cost £80 + £25 postage.

Thats not the attitude Pete.......you just need to factor in these costs when buying abroad. Some will get through without duty and VAT others will cost you.

I always add it on and the see if any UK sellers are close to that price.

A while back I was buying in watches from Singapore and for a time Customs and Excise stopped all my parcels however I was able to provide the necessary documentation and in the end they left me alone.

As others have suggested you can ask seller to mark the price down to below £18 or send it as a gift but folk should not be surprised when Customs and Excise challenge the value or the fact that it is not a gift and impose taxes accordingly. The other downside as pointed out above is that you will then not be able to insure it at its proper value. You pays your money and takes your chance on this!!

The best way to avoid taxes is to ensure you buy below the £18 limit and if you buy more than one item get them sent individually.

There are still bargains overseas but you have to be jacked up on what the rules and regulations are.

Just a slight aside remember for VAT/Duty purposes the Channel Islands are regarded as outside the EU so you are liable from there too...as I founfd out the hard way.

ronnie_2

ive bought lots of stuff from ebay (usa) and touch wood have not yet had to pay tax & vat.

BFG_2

C&E havben't time to chase every package, so you "get away with it" most of the time (provided as PPs have said, it's not declared a high value).

GabbaGabbaHey

gardnt1 wrote:

I always ask seller before buying whether he will fill out forms to my criteria...for example decalring its a gift and value of item below £36 ($65-70) wont incur any charges.

So not only do you try to steal from everybody on this forum, but you boast about it as well!