Buying from the states and tax!

[kram245]

Hi, I have recently bought several things from America, via the internet. In the past, I found around half the things you ordered this way got through without incurring tax, import tax, VAT etc. It seems to me, things rarely get through this way anymore. Am i imagining it? Is there a postal method that is LESS likely to incur tax? For instance, I have found things sent Global Priority always seem to get nabbed. Interesting to hear your thoughts, thanks, Mark

 

[Ed]

You may not get an answer on this I'm afriad. Rule 5 in the forum rules here http://www.bushcraftuk.com/community/showthread.php?t=45 states to 'obey the law' on the forum.... Trying to find ways to avoid tax / not decalre it is at odds with this generally speaking..... there have been a few posts like this before that have been cut from the forum.

Sorry mate

Ed

 

[kram245]

Thanks for the heads up Ed.

 

[Aliwren]

Not wishing to hijack the thread - on the same line I would be interested if anyone can please advise on the taxes you should expect on importing goods from America.

I have been looking at a Surefire L4 torch which in this country is around £150. In America the same torch is $165 which with the favourable exchange rate is just over £80 - Is it worth considering or will taxes/duty wipe out any saving?

 

[sam_acw]

I seem to remember that tax only applies on items over a certain value and it also depends what the item is. When I was doing civil war reenacting there were a few real horror stories. Customs would charge tax (VAT at 17.5%???) whilst translating the price at $1=£1 and then the postal service would pop a handling charge on top!

 

[alpha_centaur]

I think that its items or parcels with a value of over £21 but please don't quote me on that.

 

[g4ghb]

pretty sure it is £18 - thats what they state on 7dayshop

 

[scanker]

Not entirely sure but off the top of my head I think the cut off point is £18 normally or £36 if it's a gift. Over those thresholds the PO will charge you VAT, duty (depending on the item) and a "handling charge" of about a fiver. I think (it was a while ago).

 

[scanker]

Not wishing to hijack the thread - on the same line I would be interested if anyone can please advise on the taxes you should expect on importing goods from America.

I have been looking at a Surefire L4 torch which in this country is around £150. In America the same torch is $165 which with the favourable exchange rate is just over £80 - Is it worth considering or will taxes/duty wipe out any saving?

I remembered this thread:
http://www.britishblades.com/forums/showthread.php?t=32042&highlight=surefire

Any use?