UK TAX

stivh · Two Stroke Sniffer Joined: 19 May 2005 Karma :

Hi world

Just a short question I have just purchased my first item - a pair of fat bob 5 gallon tanks from ebay America. Brilliant price including the postage. I'm happy with the seller and all that biz.
My question is what will be the sting in the tail with uk tax (if any)?

How is it worked out and are there any things I need to sort out before they arrive in the UK if any.

They should be arriving on my doorstep in the next 3/4 weeks.

Do I have to pay the taxes if any to the Postie or to some tax office before I can can get my eager mits on them.

My daughter buys her "street gear" from the states and it normally just gets dropped in the letter box.

Any advice / suggestions appreciated.
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mr.z · World Chat Champion Joined: 04 Feb 2004 Karma :

I think if its a gift then you wont be hit with the tax..

I ordered from an american company and they listed it as a gift and i just picked it up!

Other times ive had to pay the tax on stuff :/
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stivh · Two Stroke Sniffer Joined: 19 May 2005 Karma :

Is there a set formula on what you have to pay?
10% of £100 etc or 17.5%
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m99dws · World Chat Champion Joined: 09 Jun 2004 Karma :

If you pay any tax it will be VAT, based on the current rate of 17.5%.

stivh · Two Stroke Sniffer Joined: 19 May 2005 Karma :

And if I have to pay is it to the postie or do I have to pay and collect it from a freight terminal/tax office
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ali-b · Trackday Trickster Joined: 19 May 2005 Karma :

If you had it couriered (via UPS or Fedex or whoever) then they'll want payment when you sign for delivery.

If you get it via regular postal service, you'll get a card through the door telling you there is duty to pay and where to go to pick it up (local post office)

The amount you pay depends on what the sender put on the outside of the box its in...I got screwed on tax when a sender sent something to me with the wrong amount on the outside (way too much)...if the item is under 50 quid, you stand a chance of not paying any tax at all as the PO might not bother (happened to me when I got a couple of PSP games from the US - total value under 50 quid, no tax - nice)

Alex.

Kickstart · The Oracle Joined: 04 Feb 2002 Karma :

Hi

VAT and import duty, or some random combination of the 2, or sometimes you get lucky and pay nothing extra. Bought a camera over Ebay and the tax came to about 3%. You might also get hit with a handling fee depening on how it is shipped to the UK.

All the best

Keith
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stivh · Two Stroke Sniffer Joined: 19 May 2005 Karma :

Many Many thanks with this folks, the seller in America is gonna do his bit to help as I emailed your suggestions and he must be sitting at his computer as the reply came straight back. Ain't the W.W.W. Wonderful.
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headlamp · World Chat Champion Joined: 26 Nov 2003 Karma :

I buy stuff from all over the world and only once was I asked to pay tax. I think the bill was £17. The company in Australia sent me the goods and TNT sent me an invoice. I ignored it and they never chased me for payment. That was two years ago!
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