Import tax/VAT

Katsogiannis

Hi all,

my apologies if this post is in the wrong location.
i recently purchase some sport uniforms for my basketball team from the website uk.ussportsuniforms
I pay for the items plus the delivery charges. a week later after receiving the goods, i got a invoice from the courier TNT. the courier pay on my behalf the import tax/vat.
not happy with that. i checked the website again and on the delivery policy they do not state anywhere that the customer has to pay any import tax or any other hint regarding those extra/hidden charges.
What is my position as a consumer in this case? surely i fell that i do not have to pay the import tax.
I have contact both. the company told me that they are not VAT registered in the UK and that's why the import tax. they ask me if i can pay the import tax, which i politely decline.

Thanks in advance.

bris

The website doesn't need to warn you about import charges, it's your job to know where you are buying from.




As the importer you are responsible for the VAT whether you like it or not, you will be chased for this for a long time.

spadoosh

The onus is on you to know any import taxes that might need to be paid.

Theyre only hidden if you do not look for them. They wont be on the terms and conditions of the courier because they are not imposed by the courier. They are imposed by HMRC.

Everything you need can be found in the following two pages.

https://www.gov.uk/goods-sent-from-abroad/tax-and-duty

https://www.tnt.com/express/en_gb/site/how-to/clear-customs/custom-charges.html

For what its worth its probably better not trying to evade paying tax. Its something that can carry a jail term.

[Deleted User]

Katsogiannis wrote: »

they ask me if i can pay the import tax, which i politely decline.

You can't "politely decline" the UK Taxman I'm afraid.

It will be wise for you to pay this sooner rather than later.

DoaM

It's TNT - the tax is already paid (I believe). TNT are looking to recover their outlay.

BoGoF

It's blatantly obvious you are ordering from a US site.

denk15

I would agree with the others. You have to pay VAT and duty (if value is over a certain amount) on imports from USA.

Chalk this one up to experience so you don't get caught by it in the future.

Please don't ignore the invoice from TNT - they will chase you for it

Comms69

As you're ordering for a sports team this could be seen as a commercial purchase, which may be your undoing here

DoaM

Comms69 wrote: »

As you're ordering for a sports team this could be seen as a commercial purchase, which may be your undoing here

Actually this may be one of the rare situations where business/consumer status is entirely irrelevant.

OP owes TNT.

Comms69

DoaM wrote: »

Actually this may be one of the rare situations where business/consumer status is entirely irrelevant.

OP owes TNT.

I'll bow out on this one; I'm sure of one thing - the OP owes the money.


But the US/Import thing is throwing me off

davidmcn

Comms69 wrote: »

But the US/Import thing is throwing me off

If you're importing things then you need to pay the duty, whether they're being posted to you or you're carrying them through customs at the airport. I'm not aware of any relevant consumer/business distinction here.