US import tax?

[m-shell]

if someone were to buy a car audio item on ebay for example, from the US and shipping etc. came to around �100 lets say, what tax would have to be paid on the item, if any? would it be taxed as it left the US or as it entered the UK or both, and would the buyer have to pay for this? basically what are the tax rules for importing internet bought items from the US to the UK? thanks.

[RCP]

If you import goods from outside the EU technically you are liable for customs import duty on the commercial value of the goods (so you can't say you only paid $50- for an item that is obviously worth $500-). If you are having an item posted it may be worth phoning your local postal head office & asking to speak to whoever deals with customs brokerage. They may not bother collecting small amounts as the administration would cost more than the amount collected. I just had a quick look at duty rates & you may be liable for up to 14% of the goods' value.

[lisaj]

It's not worth it if it's being shipped. The sender needs to put a customs sticker on the box that cites the value of the goods within. These are then taxed at an inordinate rate (I paid �84 for something from the US, that by the time I'd paid import duty for, was �126). The sender could lie, but then a percentage of boxes are randomly opened and checked - at which point, the sender might get into trouble. You might get away with it though. The best bet is to bring it in as a traveller when you're effectively never searched.

[FredPuli]

All true. An exception is where the object is classified as an antique; the Customs have different time scales for this, it appears, depending on the goods. This can be expensive. I once bought a photographer's signed, stamped work from the '50s from a New York auction, by e-mail bid, and had to pay tax on the whole value yet had I bought it in auction here I would have only been charged VAT on the auctioneer's commission. Yet an C18 painting bought like that was tax free on import.

[robber1]

I recently bought a Chase Durer Special Forces watch from America. It was not available in G.B. I found the best price in the U.S.A. on the web, negotiated a price inluding postage, less their taxes and had it shipped over. U.P.S. delivered it and I had to pay the V.A.T. and �10 brokerage charge on delivery. By wisely shopping on the internet it can still be advantageous to import and to pay the postage etc.

[suesid]

m - shell

Not sure about import tax, but please note that I have purchased items from Disney in USA and they have charged me shipping costs to send the item to UK and DHL have also charged me around �35.00 for the same item. So in theory I have been charged twice for the delivery of the same item! You need to email the company you want to deal with, I'm sure they could give you the info you wanted.

 

 

Sue

[Kev_UK]

Hi m-shell

 

I bought some parts for my american car off the internet. The parts were shipped by DHL, where I had to collect them (about 15 miles away). I was later sent a bill from customs & excise.. they charged me import duty which I believe was 5% of the amount that the items AND shipping costs came to.. then I was charged 17.5% VAT on the items AND the shipping costs AND the import duty that had been added.  I believe this is a RIP OFF.. I belive if an item costs �100 then you should pay VAT (�17.50) + import duty 5% (�5.00) .. total of �22.50 .. to tax on shipping is nothing short of greed, as I would've thought shipping costs already had VAT added.. and you shouldnt pay import duty on shipping costs.   I've bought things off ebay from the states and got them to write "GIFT" on the envelope, that way no taxes are due.