import duty on boots

[jasmin26]

would i have to pay import duty on boots that i have bought from Bejing

[dzug2]

Is this on holiday ornover the internet?

[Buenchico]

The following assumes that you're referring to internet purchases:

Unless the value of the boots exceeds £135 (which seems unlikely), there's no Customs Duty to pay.

However, unless the value of the boots is under £18 (which also seems to be unlikely), you'll have to pay VAT at 20%. So, on a £30 pair of boots, there would be £6 VAT to pay.

There's also a Customs Examination fee, which is currently £8. That's payable whenever either Customs Duty or VAT has to be paid. (It's waived when neither of them has to be paid).

So your £30 pair of boots will incur total charges of £14.

Chris

[jasmin26]

thanks Chris that is really helpful. How do i pay that ?will customs contact me ? how does it work ?

[Buenchico]

Thanks for the reply.

Parcelforce Worldwide will pay the VAT on your behalf. They'll then send you an invoice for that amount, adding on their 'clearance fee' (which is the 'customs examination fee' I mentioned above). You can pay them using a credit or debit card, either online or over the phone (or, if you prefer, you can send them a cheque). Once they've received payment they'll send you the boots.

Chris

[jasmin26]

thanks once again Chris, you are really helpful .

[JimmyCooper]

If you have bought from China i would imagine that the seller would put "Gift" and a value of $10 so no duty would be payable.

I've bought shed loads of stuff from Honk kong and China and never paid any import duty.