Importing from India to UK

zeh004

Hi,

I need to send 5 parcels from India to UK, approx. for 30-40 Kgs. I need to send some hair products. I am travelling as well.

What be the cheapest and recommended way of taking these packages? Using a company or exporting myself as excess baggage?

If I transport the items as excess baggage for example - do I have to pay import tax at UK customs?

Do I have to pay any duties for exporting from India?

What is the way to avoid any such complications?

Regards,

Aquamania

zeh004 wrote: »

Hi,

I need to send 5 parcels from India to UK, approx. for 30-40 Kgs. I need to send some hair products. I am travelling as well.

What be the cheapest and recommended way of taking these packages? Using a company or exporting myself as excess baggage?

If I transport the items as excess baggage for example - do I have to pay import tax at UK customs?

Do I have to pay any duties for exporting from India?

What is the way to avoid any such complications?

Regards,

The best way to avoid such complications is to employ the services of a well respected international shipping company who will be able to advise you on what can and can't be imported/exported and will arrange all customs clearance both on departure from India and arrival in the UK

paddyrg

You *will* pay duty no matter which way you ship. Best bet is to get a friend at home who can receive the items and pay any duty due and DHL/Fedex and get it shipped to a home address. Excess baggage is INCREDIBLY expensive, sea freight is the cheapest but is slow and requires onward handling. Beware any service that leaves your goods sitting in a bonded warehouse until you pay the duty - storage in those is so expensive you'll double the price of your items easily, hence the Fedex etc suggestion.

zeh004

paddyrg wrote: »

You *will* pay duty no matter which way you ship. Best bet is to get a friend at home who can receive the items and pay any duty due and DHL/Fedex and get it shipped to a home address. Excess baggage is INCREDIBLY expensive, sea freight is the cheapest but is slow and requires onward handling. Beware any service that leaves your goods sitting in a bonded warehouse until you pay the duty - storage in those is so expensive you'll double the price of your items easily, hence the Fedex etc suggestion.

Great - so I basic can get someone to send via DHL -would the duty would be UK VAT import duty? or is that something else. So sorry - but this is such a mindfield

Lomast

You would pay Duty and also VAT if not exempt, the rates you pay will depend on the commidity code

zeh004

Lomast wrote: »

You would pay Duty and also VAT if not exempt, the rates you pay will depend on the commidity code

You are truly wonderful for being so helpful. If I brought the items with me whilst travelling I would pay this at the point of entry back into the uk (basically at goods to declare counter)?

paddyrg

If you brought the goods with you then yes, go through the 'to declare' channel - but the excess baggage cost of 30-40kg will make your eyes water, it will be hundreds of pounds for sure. And it'll take a while to get through the channel. FAR better to send it air freight.

If you use DHL or another courier, make sure the price is for delivery to a domestic address, send it to a friend and make sure they have cash to pay the duty for the delivery.

Just a word to the wise though - it is all going to add up and eat into your margins

martindow

What is the value of the goods? You can import in person up to £390 without charges. It could be worth bringing it with you and paying excess baggage to avoid the carriage cost with someone like Fedex and the import fees. You need to get some quotes for excess baggage and carriers charges, duty rates, etc. and do the sums.

InsideInsurance

Are these for personal use or are they for a business? Based on the volume it sounds like business in which case you have no personal allowance contrary to the above. Even if they are personal use you may struggle to convince the customs officer that they are.

Of cause, most would walk through the Green channel and never be stopped but if you are then you have bigger issues. The charges technically would be a tiny bit cheaper on a tax basis to bring it in yourself as VAT & Duty is charged on the total cost on posted items inc postage and insurance where as in person it'd just be on the value of the goods. Of cause excess baggage would probably way outway the price difference - check your allowances and excess charges.

eagleeye

All couriers from India come generally via DHL .My friend regularly get parcels from india and he has negotiated a deal with local courier for 300 INR/KG.Before that he was paying 800INR/KG .The delivery time is 4 -5 working days from India.You need to negotiate with local couriers to get the deal price.

patman99

That works out at £2.97/Kg. So at that rate, a 30Kg parcel would cost you approx. £90 to send.
How many of you are going on the trip to India?. If there are 2 of you, then you can split the load into 2 15-20 Kg loads. If this is then the only luggage you bring back, you should be within your baggage limits (if you are taking clothing to wear in India, there is nothing stopping you wearing multiple layers when returning as a way of reducing your luggage weight).