duty on goods brought from hong kong

[l3jog]

I want to buy some dog grooming clippers from Hong Kong, they are much cheaper than from here, but not if I have to pay lots of import duty. Does anyone know what the costs are likely to be or where I can find out from? Thanks!

[heathfield]

You will have to pay duty if the value of the duty is more than �10.
You will have to pay VAT if the value of the goods is �18 or over.
N.B. For VAT purposes, HM Customs will value an item by adding what was paid for postage to the price paid for the actual item.
If Parcelforce act as your agent in clearing customs, they'll charge you around �11 for the privilege. This fee, plus any duty and VAT, will be payable on delivery of the item.

[JimmyCooper]

I buy a fair bit of stuff off Ebay from Hong Kong and the seller always lists the value as under $15

I've never paid any duty ;-)