No Charge

[Chippygeoff]

I ordered 4 gross of blades from the wooden teddy bear company in America and they arrived today I had spent a total of $156-60 and $12-60 of that was for postage. The blades had not been intercepted by customes and there was no vat to pay either, as often happens there is an additional charge from the post office for delivery once goods reach the UK but none of that either.

Some years ago I bought something from America and I cannot remember what it was now but I know I had to pay a charge, which at the time I thought was quite high but what really got my back up was that I was charged an additional £9 for customs opening the package. I never asked them to open it, if they open a parcel there should not be a charge for opening it,

 

[marcros]

You were lucky, I can't remember the last time I got away with it from the USA. Years ago it was more of a lottery.

Maybe blades are too small to interest them. Did you used to have to pay the import tax on FD blades?

 

[Chippygeoff]

For years I had used FD blades and never had to pay any extra when they arrived in the UK. With this orderr of Olsen blades they had staped the packets of blades to a stiff piece of card, which in turn was placed inside the middle of a catalogue so I presume the company are wise to the ways of the customs, to all intents and purposes it was just a catalogue to them I suppose.

 

[scrimper]

Some useful info here
http://customs.hmrc.gov.uk/channelsPort ... e=document

It's a bit of a grey area and a lottery, sometimes you have to pay other times it slips through.

 

[sneggysteve]

As an ex emplyee of HMRC (OK someone has to do it !!!) dealing with customs and international trade, I can confirm all imported items ie from outside the EU, are subject to import duty +/or excise duty +/or VAT as long as the values are above the de minimis levels and that the particular item itself is subject to tax. All items imported via post are considered for charging but at this time of the year some may actually get through without charge.

The import declaration completed by the sender should accurately confirm the details in the parcel. Goods purchased should not be declared as gifts or hiddeen within other non taxable items. Should the packet be opened and found to have been declared incorrectly, the the importer is responsible for the declaration and any subsequent problems.

The Royal Mail or Parcelforce charge is levied by those companies and not HMRC. You pay similar charges if the goods come via the other couriers such as UPS etc.

The HMRC link given by scrimper gives all the info but agree it's not the easiest thing to read. If buying outside EU, best prepare yourself for worst and hope it may not happen.

Sorry for the humbug at this time of year.

 

[finneyb]

Geoff,

Give HMRC a call explain the mistake and ask them how to pay the duty 'Our helpline is open 8am to 8pm, Monday to Friday for all general questions relating to VAT, Excise, Customs or any of our other taxes or duties, please feel free to call us on Telephone: 0300 200 3700 . '

You won't sleep at nights if you don't :lol: :lol: :lol:

Brian

 

[Chippygeoff]

Brian. I never thought of that. I had a sleepless night last night and now I know why, it's my conscience. I will give them a ring in the morning and explain that I have imported goods and have not paid the vat, the cost of opening the parcel, import duty, handling charge. I will apologise for my errors and wish them seasons greetings.

 

[finneyb]

Brian. I never thought of that. I had a sleepless night last night and now I know why, it's my conscience. I will give them a ring in the morning and explain that I have imported goods and have not paid the vat, the cost of opening the parcel, import duty, handling charge. I will apologise for my errors and wish them seasons greetings.

Yeh, right !!!

Brian