MSE News: Shopping outside the EU this Christmas? Beware of hidden fees

Former_MSE_Paloma

If you're looking for a bargain Christmas gift abroad make sure you factor in customs duty and VAT, warns HMRC ...

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Shopping outside the EU this Christmas? Beware of hidden fees




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Pincher

Don't I pay a lot in Airport duty already?

Emirates is doing a complementary 48 Hour Stopover visa in Dubai. I might pick up a tablet. Or phone, camera. laptop, the usual. I want a £500 duty free quota.

VT82

Seriously MSE? They're not 'hidden fees', they're 'taxes'.

What's wrong, 'taxes', not headline-grabbing enough, or not search-engine-optimisation material?

isie1980

I have a colleague traveling to the US for work next week. I want to buy a pushchair which is available in the US only, and have my colleague bring it back for me. The value is $299. According to the article if it brought into the UK in person then there is no customs/VAT to pay, but when I ask for a shipping quote here it includes it...? Is this is to do with the mode of transport?
If I ask a colleague to bring it home for me, can they stroll through nothing to declare with a clear conscience? I can't ask someone to avoid it for me!!
Obviously I will pay any charges incurred and pay for the excess baggage etc, I'm just not sure of the customs - an online calculator seemed to say there would be a bill.....
(sorry for the length, i'm confused!)

edgey2j

I purchased an item from outside of the EU which was mailed to me. There is a Duty/VAT charge that must be paid before item is released for delivery. An ancillary (handling) fee is also included.
a) Are all of these charges valid? The handling fee does not seem like it should be
b) If the item in question is shipped to a registered business address is the % of the charges calculated differently?

Thanks