Importing from the USA

[airtrixx]

Does any one have experience of importing tools and equipment from the USA to the UK.

I have found equipment on the internet that looks far superior to anything I can get in the UK and it is a fraction of the price.

I would like to know what sort of taxes you could expect to pay etc.

[darrent]

Have you spoke to Dontlift - he owns a online tools company....

[simpo two]

I *think* it's 17.5% VAT and another 20% import duty, but not sure. You could call HM Customs for the answer.

[tvradict]

Try www.hmce.gov.uk

[airtrixx]

Thanks for the replys, I have down loaded a lot of information from HM Customs sight and there is a lot more to it than you would expect

[golfman]

I both import and export items from different parts of the world. What sort of ‘tools’ are you after as I could probably help. See: www.bms-tools.co.uk

[Marki]

Dont know about tools , but we import computer euipment and we only have to pay VAT

[vex]

I think the additional tax all depends on the 'technical' description of the items your looking to import.

I can't remember the correct wording for it, yes I can INTRASTAT.

IIRC that sets the import duty you need to pay, most import and custom brokers can help you with that.

[Marki]

vex said:

I can't remember the correct wording for it, yes I can INTRASTAT. IIRC that sets the import duty you need to pay, most import and custom brokers can help you with that.

No Intrastat is just to montitor transactions within the EU , you need to fill in a return detailing all transactions made within the EU so the Tossers in Brussels can spout statistics to us
Kind of unpaid reseach for them , great ehh

[vex]

Is there something like it then, that sets your import duty rate?

[thepeoplespal]

You pay duty on both the cost of the item and the cost of the shipping and then you have to add VAT of 17.5% on top of that.

So tools being heavy will probably require surface rather than air shipping, so lead times for out of stock items may take a lot longer than via air.