Buying food from the EU

arm431888

As we're unable to get to our usual holiday destinations we thought about contacting the local shops we usually visit to buy some things you can't get in the UK for love nor money.

The things we're after are cheeses, meats, olive oil and vinegar. Overall we'd be looking at a total of c.£200 worth of stuff. Please note there would be no alcohol or anything else considered as luxury goods contained in the order.
Is there any way I can figure out if I'd be hit with VAT, duty or any other charges before I submit an order? We've seen a few scare stories about orders from the EU attracting all sorts of taxes and charges to be handed over and want to avoid these at all costs.
I appreciate things are a bit muddled post Brexit, but any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

finalfantasist

https://www.trade-tariff.service.gov.uk/sections shows VAT and duty rates for everything but it's not very user friendly (it's not really aimed at consumers)

The vast majority of foods are zero-rated for VAT.

gettingtheresometime

I'd be looking at a good Independent U.K. based deli

jon81uk

If it’s under £135 the retailer should just charge the VAT when you buy now and pass it to HMRC.
Over that and import duty and VAT are both due and they need to be paid when the goods enter the country.

Ectophile

But be aware that many small retailers have no process to pay UK VAT, and may refuse to sell you anything.  The new rules on importing stuff involve so much paperwork, that smaller companies have given up.

mac.d

Having watched the news coverage of the problems the fishing industry is having with exporting to the EU and the delays in their fresh produce getting clearance, never mind the additional hassles with extra costs, it really seems like it's not worth the hassle. 

bris

A food shipment would almost certainly be destroyed, there are strict laws on food now. A a couple of EU delis won't be filling in the paperwork for a block of cheese.