Import tax question

johnnytee

I'm looking to take advantage of the weak dollar and buying a guitar from the states. I'll probably end up spending $2500 or thereabouts. Anyone know how much import tax I'd be clobbered with?

Cheers in advance

custardy

you can check the duty payable on goods via the hmrc site
be aware of clearence fee's from the courier/po will be charged as well

johnnytee

Had a look at the HMRC site. Couldn't find anything relating to musical instruments.

Mikeyorks

http://customs.hmrc.gov.uk/channelsPortalWebApp/channelsPortalWebApp.portal?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=pageImport_ShowContent&id=HMCE_PROD_009989&propertyType=document

.... shown under 'Guitars'. 3.2% to 3.7% duty + 17.5% VAT is what it says. But there will be additional charges from whichever postal service (ParcelForce / UPS etc) brings it to you .... as there is an allowable charge for the work they have to do for Customs.

I'd really do the sums ... one of my nephews recently imported a £500+ mountain bike frame - and had to pay close to an extra £200 overall.

custardy

i know some with mtb's go out with with an old crap bike in a bike case
then buy a new one in the states,ride it and get it muddy then ditch the cheap bike and bring the new one back as 'old'
risky though,especially if the customs guy/gal knows their bikes

Cook_County

custardy wrote: »

i know some with mtb's go out with with an old crap bike in a bike case
then buy a new one in the states,ride it and get it muddy then ditch the cheap bike and bring the new one back as 'old'
risky though,especially if the customs guy/gal knows their bikes

Evading tax is however a criminal offence so is not good money-saving practice.

johnnytee

I was thinking of doing that. Take a crappy £10 charity shop guitar over there, then bring the new one back. Just have to weigh the savings against flights and acommodation. I'll get me calculator out!

custardy

Cook_County wrote: »

Evading tax is however a criminal offence so is not good money-saving practice.

which is why i said its risky,only quoting what ive seen on mtb forums
the risk of paying flights,accom,purchase price then probably getting hit by customs on the way back is too much for me!
i got stopped going to oz at customs as i was the only single guy on a flight full of familys :eek: trust me i dont want that again!

Cook_County

johnnytee wrote: »

I was thinking of doing that. Take a crappy £10 charity shop guitar over there, then bring the new one back. Just have to weigh the savings against flights and acommodation. I'll get me calculator out!

Well, a few nights in jail for tax evasion will save you some rent when you get back too!

bundle19

Have a look at the dutycalculator.com. that should help you to find the accurate import duty & vat

gil13

The import duty depends on the customs tariff classification of the goods and somebody had already mentioned it was in the 3% range. The VAT is not just on the invoice value but also takes in the import duty, UK landed charges and customs r.o.e. If you are bringing this in you will need to check the terms of sale from the supplier, if you buy CIF then they "should" include the freight charges and insurance up to arrival port/airport. You will then be responsible for the UK charges such as handling/customs clearance/docs/delivery and yes this could easily be a couple of hundred quid. The "should" bit is becuase often, particularly from China for example the supplier had not actually paid any freight, which then gets collected this side on arrival in inflated charges.

Another point is that if you are not VAT registered then the VAT is not recoverable and this together with the duty is also for importers account.