Import Duties / Tax?

DaisyBella_2

I am looking to buy an item from Hong Kong for my son for Christmas - Value approx. £120

Now I realise there is a chance I may have to pay import duties or tax on this item - which I would pay of course - however does anyone know what rate this is? How do these charges get calculated? Percentage of cost of item?

Also, will it be assumed I am avoiding import duties? Only there is no option to pay them in advance.

Any advise greatly appreciated.

Thanks

londondealer

DB Is there a limit on when you did it by?

Retired_I.F.A.

http://customs.hmrc.gov.uk/channelsPortalWebApp/channelsPortalWebApp.portal?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=pageImport_ShowContent&id=HMCE_CL_001454&propertyType=document

See the link "common internet goods"

ormus

all imported goods (from 3rd countries) have a different duty tariff.
but as a general rule, you can reckon on 20% to cover the duty and the VAT tax.

ps.
there is no certainty that you will be charged either.
ive never had to pay anything from the USA.

martindow

There will be a fee for processing the import which will be something like 8 to 15 pounds according to the carrier. You will be charged VAT on the cost of the item plus the postage cost. There also may be import duty which is usually a fairly small percentage and varies according to what you are importing. You can ask customs and excise what the import duty rate would be.

Sometimes things come through without any charges being made but this is the exception rather than the norm.

Piers

It all depends if they put the correct details into the customs slip. Also if you address is blacklisted.

If it's a ipod then just buy from a uk site or at least a site in jersey. play.com for example

Hintza

I agree with Ormus for items over about £100 then 20% woill be about right. PO handling charge iof £8 means cheapoer items will be a bit more % wise.

My one point will be I hope you aren't expecting for delivery by Christmas? In all proabilty it will arrive but at this time of year it could take a month!

One point chages tend to be higher with couriers they will push it to the max (probably better chance of delivery in time though). But I would choose the Mail over a courier to keep charges to the minimum.

You might also get lucky ad not have any charges. Also think about what happens if it isn't working or you require warranty work.

katepnlo

i just bought £50 worth of goods from a seller in hong kong.
arrived in about 10 days and i didn't get charged anything on top
kate

custardy

katepnlo wrote: »

i just bought £50 worth of goods from a seller in hong kong.
arrived in about 10 days and i didn't get charged anything on top
kate

it means nothing.
i charged a woman £12 today in customs fee's forr UGG boots from oz
yet she had 2 packets of UGG boots to collect.
one was charged and one wasnt.
never assume you wont get charged

aeuerby

custardy wrote: »

never assume you wont get charged

Quite right Custardy!
In fact assume you will be charged then if you're not it's a bonus!

We used to mported LED's from USA for about a year - all packets except 1 were not charged - and there were about 15 orders in total!

LadyMorticia

Retired_I.F.A. wrote: »

http://customs.hmrc.gov.uk/channelsPortalWebApp/channelsPortalWebApp.portal?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=pageImport_ShowContent&id=HMCE_CL_001454&propertyType=document

See the link "common internet goods"

Just a quick question. Sorry if It seems like I'm hijacking this thread. I'm not. Just have a quick question.

What happens if, at the door, the Royal Mail courier wants the money (as stated may happen in the link) but the person receiving the item doesn't have any money on them at the time?

I just recently pre-ordered Sabrina The Teenage Witch Series 3 dvd from the USA and I know that some custom/import duties may apply.

xx