In a message dated 02/07/2008 15:53:10 GMT Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: I understand that items with a declared value of less than 100 pounds will be passed through by UK customs. However above that, VAT (at our standard rate of 17.5%) is added, as well as import duties (if applicable) at about 5% (depending on the item). Carriers will then usually charge a fee for sorting out all the customs paperwork. I have had charges as low as 5 pounds from FedEx, and 8 to 12 pounds from Royal Mail ParcelForce ------------------------------ Hi Peter
Unfortunately the VAT threshold is much lower than £100. Quote from HMRC web site..... --------------------------------- If you purchase goods through the Internet you should be aware that customs duty and VAT will be payable, as follows: Customs Duty - if the amount of duty is £7 and over Import VAT - if the value of the goods is £18 and over --------------------------------- On top of that the standard ParcelForce admin charge is £8, increased from £5 a year or so ago. Assuming that the parcel value is correctly quoted it seems to be a question of luck as to whether or not you get charged. I still get packages through with no charge on them, sometimes of quite high value, but I was told by ParcelForce a few years ago that, even then, the number of Customs agents employed at the main ParcelForce sorting centre had increased hugely after the international success of Ebay and other internet sales. For relatively low cost purchases from the US say, that might only just cross the £18 threshold, it's not unusual to receive a small VAT charge but still with the £8 admin fee...ouch!! >From my own experience it would seem there's more chance of not being charged if the UK carrier is anyone other than ParcelForce, but that's certainly not something to rely on:-) regards Nigel GM8PZR _______________________________________________ time-nuts mailing list -- [email protected] To unsubscribe, go to https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts and follow the instructions there.
