Importing parts from US

[GW65]

When importing used parts (wheels in this case) from the US, what taxes and duty are payable when they arrive in the UK? They'd be sent "USPS" but I'm assuming there's no chance they'll slip through the letter box without HMRC noticing

[ian_uk1975]

Los Angeles said:

VAT - unless marked down in price below a certain level, or a "sample."

Not just VAT... Import Duty (rate will depend on the exact item being imported) and a clearance fee that will be levied by the courier / Royal Mail (RM charge £6, if I recall correctly).

For low (declared) value / small items sent by USPS, you're unlikely to be collared. In my experience, anything brought in by commercial carrier (eg. UPS, FedEx, DHL) will always get assessed for Duty and VAT by UK customs.

[TEKWIZ]

Be careful, if using any of the mainstream couriers, or couriers used by suppliers as I recenlty had some wheels shipped over to me by a dealer by DHL, although the wheels were free with free shipping to my door (dealer forgot to put them inside car when it was shipped) I was hit with import duties vat and fees total nealy £400.

And I normally use my own shipping company to collect and bring in goods and have been dealing with shipping companies for 20 years.

Nice little earner for HM and DHL

[C6NL]

TEKWIZ said:

Be careful, if using any of the mainstream couriers, or couriers used by suppliers as I recenlty had some wheels shipped over to me by a dealer by DHL, although the wheels were free with free shipping to my door (dealer forgot to put them inside car when it was shipped) I was hit with import duties vat and fees total nealy £400.

And I normally use my own shipping company to collect and bring in goods and have been dealing with shipping companies for 20 years.

Nice little earner for HM and DHL

Same happened to me, Fedex decided they were going to cash in for our customs. No more fedex for me the tw^&*

[Boosted LS1]

Expect to pay about 5% duty, a handling fee, a clearance fee and finally the vat on top of the lot. Basically factor in about 20% on top of the goods and shipping costs and you'll be in the ball park. Try to save as much as possible on the shipping and purchase price.

[Viper]

Los Angeles said:

Boosted is correct - if you befriend the trader see if he will "down price" the item if over $100 to compensate. Everything is negotiable.

ive found over the years, less and less companies will now do that, espicially the bigger ones

Edited by Viper on Saturday 28th February 22:23

[Bowler]

The simplest way to look at this is that you will pay

- Goods value + shipping costs + Insurance costs (if any) = As landed value (ALV)

- Tax is levied at ALV + 10% = subtotal

- And then, Subtotal + VAT @ 15%

You may also get “hit” for an importation agent (acting on behalf of the shipper) applying a handling fee for clearing customs and duty deferment Etc. You don’t employ the (importation) agent, but you’ll still be liable for their fees…

Alternatively, if you do this all yourself, whilst I’ve never experienced this I believe that the HMRC have the right to buy the (imported) goods off you for the declared value... (I know one guy that had this happen with a car, where he was a little economic with the facts).

It comes down to what you are prepared to pay/lose, I suppose…

[ian_uk1975]

Bowler said:

The simplest way to look at this is that you will pay

- Goods value + shipping costs + Insurance costs (if any) = As landed value (ALV)

- Tax is levied at ALV + 10% = subtotal

- And then, Subtotal + VAT @ 15%

You may also get “hit” for an importation agent (acting on behalf of the shipper) applying a handling fee for clearing customs and duty deferment Etc. You don’t employ the (importation) agent, but you’ll still be liable for their fees…

Alternatively, if you do this all yourself, whilst I’ve never experienced this I believe that the HMRC have the right to buy the (imported) goods off you for the declared value... (I know one guy that had this happen with a car, where he was a little economic with the facts).

It comes down to what you are prepared to pay/lose, I suppose…

Duty is not 10%. It varies according to the commodity code.

[ian_uk1975]

Viper said:

Los Angeles said:

Boosted is correct - if you befriend the trader see if he will "down price" the item if over $100 to compensate. Everything is negotiable.

ive found over the years, less and less companies will now do that, espicially the bigger ones

If you're tempted to persuade the seller/shipper to 'fiddle' the paperwork for a lower declared value, it's worth remembering that the legal responsibility for the declaration of facts lies with the receiver and not the sender.

[Boosted LS1]

^ and they could easily check your payment method and finer details or intercept any mail.