Parts from the USA
Discussion
Can anyone point me in the direction of a website which will tell me how much duty and/or VAT I will have to pay on parts bought mail-order from the US?
I've been searching the internet for ages but not found any answers. Is it the same for any European Union country, or does VAT get charged at the local rate?
I've heard a company called "Moving Parts" mentioned, what is it?
I'm itching to order all my MSD parts from Summit Racing (about 20% cheaper than Ecklers) but just worried about how much I will get stung for at this end.
I've been searching the internet for ages but not found any answers. Is it the same for any European Union country, or does VAT get charged at the local rate?
I've heard a company called "Moving Parts" mentioned, what is it?
I'm itching to order all my MSD parts from Summit Racing (about 20% cheaper than Ecklers) but just worried about how much I will get stung for at this end.
You want Steve Borland (Eric the Brave on here) - but for their website try www.moving-parts.com
Steve Borland is at www.moving-parts.com and might be able to help with an estimate. He specialises in fairly large stuff such as body panels, engines etc. from the US.
If you're buying in the EU then VAT is charged at the local rate in the country you buy the parts from. If its bought in the EU with VAT paid then you won't get charged any UK VAT when you bring it in.
If you buy from the US then VAT will be charged at 17.5% on the item and the shipping cost, there may be other duties at different rates to pay in addition to the VAT but it depends on the item itself.
If you're buying in the EU then VAT is charged at the local rate in the country you buy the parts from. If its bought in the EU with VAT paid then you won't get charged any UK VAT when you bring it in.
If you buy from the US then VAT will be charged at 17.5% on the item and the shipping cost, there may be other duties at different rates to pay in addition to the VAT but it depends on the item itself.
I works out about 3.5% on parts. Parcels under £100 they don't often bother with. The Post Office or deliverer usually charge £10 for clearing customs. The 3.5% and VAT can be a bit hit and miss with charges relating to the dollar price in pounds rather than converting it. For some reason unknown to me, ordering stuff from MidAmerica Motorworks seems to attract delivery with nothing to pay this end. It's happened twice now.
I thought it worked out the same as shipping over a car. 10 percent (?)of value import tax plus VAT on top. I shipped a load of bits from Classic Industries and thought I'd got lucky, but 2 months later DHL sent me a customs bill for about 25% of value. Interested to know how you get on with Summit cos I'm thinking about putting an order in with them...
>> Edited by chevy-stu on Friday 5th August 19:12
>> Edited by chevy-stu on Friday 5th August 19:12
When I have got robbed for duty it was like this.
4.5% import duty on full purchase price, including shipping.
Then add 17.5% VAT on purchase price, including shipping.
Then various couriers charge a handling charge which can vary from about £10 to £20
Then if the parts are wrong, you will probably never get that money back. You cannot get the parts, until you pay this.
Items under £18 will pass through without charge.
I have been charged for items costing less than £100 several times.
Personally, I have never had good experience dealing direct with Summit. Their courier charges are out of this world, added to that, they charge a premium for international orders too.
4.5% import duty on full purchase price, including shipping.
Then add 17.5% VAT on purchase price, including shipping.
Then various couriers charge a handling charge which can vary from about £10 to £20
Then if the parts are wrong, you will probably never get that money back. You cannot get the parts, until you pay this.
Items under £18 will pass through without charge.
I have been charged for items costing less than £100 several times.
Personally, I have never had good experience dealing direct with Summit. Their courier charges are out of this world, added to that, they charge a premium for international orders too.
Thanks everyone for the replies.
I'm still not clear how much it's going to cost though! HM Revenue and Customs website is not the easiest to use. As far as I can tell you have to pay to get a copy of the tarriff to see what they're going to charge you!?
I'm in Belgium but EU law should mean it's the same as the UK, except maybe the rates. Belgian VAT is 21%
Maybe I should ship to friends in Luxembourg, where it's 15%
They have quoted for suface mail ($42), Air Parcel Post ($65) and Global Express ($82). This is for a total order of $500 (MSD 6A box, dizzy, coil, leads). Do you think "Global Express" is UPS? I was going to go for air parcel post. Even with the "handling charge" it works out cheaper than Ecklers, and much cheaper than buying over here, the distributor alone is 527 Euro in Belgium (www.Speedshop.be)
I have a friend who ordered two slick tyres from Summit, they arrived at Brussels airport and he had to collect them from customs there, he went to pick them up expecting to pay VAT at least but got charged just 17 Euro handling fee!
I'm still not clear how much it's going to cost though! HM Revenue and Customs website is not the easiest to use. As far as I can tell you have to pay to get a copy of the tarriff to see what they're going to charge you!?
I'm in Belgium but EU law should mean it's the same as the UK, except maybe the rates. Belgian VAT is 21%
Maybe I should ship to friends in Luxembourg, where it's 15% Boosted LS1 said:
You can instruct summit to use ordinary air service or something other then ups.
Boosted.
They have quoted for suface mail ($42), Air Parcel Post ($65) and Global Express ($82). This is for a total order of $500 (MSD 6A box, dizzy, coil, leads). Do you think "Global Express" is UPS? I was going to go for air parcel post. Even with the "handling charge" it works out cheaper than Ecklers, and much cheaper than buying over here, the distributor alone is 527 Euro in Belgium (www.Speedshop.be)
I have a friend who ordered two slick tyres from Summit, they arrived at Brussels airport and he had to collect them from customs there, he went to pick them up expecting to pay VAT at least but got charged just 17 Euro handling fee!
eric the brave said:
Do call me if you would like me to estimate the duty and VAT for you - 01753 689699.
There is a lot of mis-information around about this. Everybody seems to have had different experiences but it is fairly easy to calculate and I will be very happy to talk you through it...
Have to agree with Steve, he recently imported some goods from USA for us and he was spot on with his calculations, give him a call he's a GOOD MAN
(Steve that makes us quits for the CCCUK Vote)
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