Customs charges

dodman

I ordered some educational talking book cds from the US and am being charged a whacking customs fee (including VAT) on them. Is this right? I thought talking books were VAT exempt.

mookie

On the bill there will be a tariff heading number you will need to check what they have classed them as. The number will be 10 digits long xxxx xxxx xx

mookie

Have found the code 8523 4039 00 for talking books, seems they are not exempt.

Recorded media
Gramophone records 8523 8099 00
Other recorded discs
[FONT=Arial,Arial]Although the manufacturing and recording (writing) systems are different the common factor is that when recorded all types of disc designed to be read by some kind of laser system. Classification depends on the type of material recorded on the disc: [/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Arial]For reproducing sound only [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Arial]Music, speech, other sounds [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Arial]Music discs, language courses, wildlife recordings, train buffs’ sound bites, talking books [/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Arial]Minidisc proper to [/FONT]

8523 4031 00

[FONT=Arial,Arial]CDs proper to [/FONT]

8523 4039 00

TomsMom

Value of goods needs to be less than £18 to avoid the fees.

dodman

Thanks for the replies. It seems I was wrong and they're not exempt. £17 quid extra to pay, but more than half of that was the Post Office 'fee'!

An mp3 downlaod would have been quicker, cheaper and easier.

golddustmedia

If you want to reduce the liklihood of customs charges next time try buying from Canada instead of USA.

anna42hmr

dodman wrote: »

, but more than half of that was the Post Office 'fee'!

.

tell me about it, i ordered a dvd box set from the us a couple months back, there was only a £4 customs charge, and i had to pay a further £11 to royal mail! (given that they did not even deliver it, and i had to collect it, would love to know what the charge covers!)

so2006

Royal mail charge you for keeping the package dont they? just like if you where not in when they deliver a parcel? i am sure for that price they wrap your parcel up and keep it warm lol

Bamber19

so2006 wrote: »

Royal mail charge you for keeping the package dont they?

They charge you a fee yes, last time it cost me £8.95 i think but as far as i know if you refuse tyo pay it there and then they aren't entitled to withold the item and need to persue their claim to the £8.95 afterwards.

mute_posting

Is basically an admin fee because RM have paid the customs fees on your behalf.

£11 is a bit extortionate though I agree

C_Ronaldo

golddustmedia wrote: »

If you want to reduce the liklihood of customs charges next time try buying from Canada instead of USA.

why buy from canada,