UK Import VAT on Books?

kungfuman

I'm looking to get an out of print book sent to me from Austrailia.  The cost of the book is only around £12 and the shipping is £45 (of which I'm ok paying as the book was hard to find and completes a collection).

However, I cant seem to find an answer if I need to pay any VAT on this.  There some conflicting information if VAT is applied to books, even on the HMRC website which states that books are zero rated but the new guidance on changes at the start of the year state all items are now subject to import VAT.  I have used the calculator on simplyduty, which shows theres around £13 VAT to be added (plus anyhandling charges), so that would indicate that the complete value including shipping was used for the calculation.

Just wondering if anyone would know the answer?

Sandtree

Anything under £135 in total (inc shipping etc) any import costs are to be collected by the vendor (exc products with excise duty like alcohol) and so if they are saying its £57 in total then there should be no additional charge to pay.

kungfuman

Sandtree said:

Anything under £135 in total (inc shipping etc) any import costs are to be collected by the vendor (exc products with excise duty like alcohol) and so if they are saying its £57 in total then there should be no additional charge to pay.

Thanks, thats good to know there shouldnt be any further costs when it lands here.

Keep_pedalling

All imports are subject to VAT, but the VAT rate on books is 0% so there will be nothing to pay.