Import Duties

[Viper]

Does anyone know how long it takes to be charged import duties once something has been imported into the UK?

Lots of love,

Viper from the internet.

[AXracing]

Depends who imported it. The item would not be let in to the UK unless someone has paid them or unless none was charged. Some postal services will ask you for the money up front until you can get the item. some will pay it and just invoice you down the line. Normally within a few weeks. Even if they have done that you should have the custom forms to see how much you will be charged if you have the item.

[Viper]

Ok, cheers.

It was coming from the US with USPS so I'm not sure who their UK agent would be. I would assume probably Parcel Force.

[AXracing]

If it is they will ask for the money up front. They will pop a letter in your door saying something like they tried to post or there may charges. Then there is a number to call, web page to go to or you just go to the office the item is at to pay and collect it. For some odd reason I get things quicker from Hong Kong and Japan way quicker then from the US. Keep an eye on your tracking as they will show its ready normally before you get the letter. If the item is cheap ish you will get no charge or just 20% vat and there handling fee.

[Viper]

I wouldn't really class it as cheap...

Also I expect they will try to charge me VAT. Is there a way to dispute paying the VAT?

The items I'm getting aren't available for sale in the UK so technically I shouldn't get charged VAT.

[AXracing]

Only VAT exempt items you could appeal on. For example anything in the UK you do not pay VAT on or reduced VAT you could apply for the same on the item your importing. For example if your importing a bike helmet this would be sold with no VAT in the UK so in theory you would not pay it no matter where you got it from. But if its a item you have to pay VAT on in the UK say a TV then you still have to pay VAT if you get it from the US.

You also get Customs duty on more expensive items. This depends on what sort of item it is as to what you would pay. There are like a million different rates depending on the item. I have no idea what rate is for what item but you may be able to appear if you felt they applied the wrong rate. I have never had any charge over VAT. But i guess if your importing alcohol, fuel, tobacco or anything like that you would expect these extra charges.

[Spanky]

is it your overpriced HID kit?

[Viper]

Only VAT exempt items you could appeal on. For example anything in the UK you do not pay VAT on or reduced VAT you could apply for the same on the item your importing. For example if your importing a bike helmet this would be sold with no VAT in the UK so in theory you would not pay it no matter where you got it from. But if its a item you have to pay VAT on in the UK say a TV then you still have to pay VAT if you get it from the US.

You also get Customs duty on more expensive items. This depends on what sort of item it is as to what you would pay. There are like a million different rates depending on the item. I have no idea what rate is for what item but you may be able to appear if you felt they applied the wrong rate. I have never had any charge over VAT. But i guess if your importing alcohol, fuel, tobacco or anything like that you would expect these extra charges.

It's a variety of car parts so will probably come under different commodity codes. Is the VAT chargeable by product type or specific product?

e.g. one part is a down pipe. Down pipes in general are available in the UK however the Apexi one I have ordered (from the crap research I have done) is not.

is it your overpriced HID kit?

No, my car doesn't need an HID kit.

[blackie_2k5]

I got charged £18 on a £400 item even with a fake invoice of an £80 "sample product"

[Ashleyp]

Ok, cheers.

It was coming from the US with USPS so I'm not sure who their UK agent would be. I would assume probably Parcel Force.

It's usually pretty swift with USPS from my experience dude.

ordered various bits from shops in the US. and once in the UK it's usually a just a few days before I get it.

Sometimes I've been lucky enough to avoid import tax altogether which is sweet

[dannygti]

I'm currently waiting for a parcel too, it's from the states through USPS also. It's currently waiting in customs.

I bought some parts from America to the value of £2100 and got charged £440, the other day I bought more parts from America to the value of around £1700 and payed £220 import tax.. It's a fucking nightmare!

[Andy_K]

I had parts delivered by USPS last month. Came pretty quickly. Uk agent was parcel force who requested payment of charges up front. Was something like £25 import duty on a £130 product and £30 handling charge

[Viper]

Cheers guys! :y:

[marcusd]

i ordered some stuff from us few months back came through ups america, once it hit uk shores i was posted a letter from royal mail woth you owe us such n such which wasnt much and the once paid online item was with me next day

[blackie_2k5]

If it helps the uk agent that took mine was Dhl and they posted a card telling me I had import duties to pay

Called them up and paid at collection from the nearest branch

[MJ05LLY]

When i imported an amplifier it came between 2 weeks after the item and had 14 days to pay the invoice (Was FedEX) Usual 20% tax then a import and handling fee which wasn't much. Less than i expected to be honest.