custom charges

[Johnny_kiddle]

Does anyone know how much import cost on geocaching items worth $170 and P&P $39 when they come into the UK ? I've tried the customs website but they dont do geocaching items on there online calculator !!

[+redsox_mark]

You would have to pay 17.5% VAT, plus likely a charge from the post office for collecting it.

 

There would not be customs duty on top of that, as the total value is less than £270.

 

Link

[+dino-irl]

From memory the fee is £15. Not everyone ends up paying this fee or the VAT though as it can depend on how the package is labelled

[+Big Wolf]

From experience if the true value is not declared HMRC will 'guess' the value and you need to pay the vat based on that. Sometimes its zero to pay and sometimes is more than you would expect.

 

What is certain is that must pay this amount in full or you wont get your goods.

 

If its too much you then need to take it up with HMRC after you have stumped up and hope you get a refund after proving the true value (which may or may not be what you have paid for it)

Edited August 27, 2010 by Big Wolf

[+Jacaru & Wemnog]

I have had loads of coins made now and delivered from the US. It's all a bit of a confusion really, sometimes I get charged customs, sometimes I don't. It seems to depend on who the firm sends the parcel with as well. Some couriers I don't get charged customs, yet some I do. Parcel Force also rip you off for storage and handling charges, which, in my opinion is totally wrong.

[Johnny_kiddle]

so if i do get charged at what point do they want the money,if any...Do they hold my parcel hostige and send me a ransom note ?...... or do i pay once it gets into the country ?

[+Jacaru & Wemnog]

I have to pay when I collect from the depot. Basically, you don't get the parcel until you have paid.

[Johnny_kiddle]

Thanks people for the top notch advise !!!

[+Eclectic Penguin]

I dislike Parcelforce's policy of charging a flat "handling" rate for charging VAT. I recently got charged £18.33 - £3.33 VAT on an item and £15 for Parcelforce, for handling the charge - totally disproportional.

 

Parcelforce also won't even let the package leave the depot until the fee is paid - they normally send you a letter on the day it arrives, but I've had to wait a week or more for some items for this letter - its best track the item if you have a tracking number and go and collect the parcel from the depot if you can, but then this also feels like you're doing their job for them after they've already slapped the ridiculous handling charge onto the item.

[+Mark+Karen]

Easier to buy from a UK distributor!

[+Eclectic Penguin]

Easier to buy from a UK distributor!

 

Not when you're making your own coins.

[+Flyfishermanbob]

From experience if the true value is not declared HMRC will 'guess' the value and you need to pay the vat based on that. Sometimes its zero to pay and sometimes is more than you would expect.

 

What is certain is that must pay this amount in full or you wont get your goods.

 

If its too much you then need to take it up with HMRC after you have stumped up and hope you get a refund after proving the true value (which may or may not be what you have paid for it)

 

 

And the wascals make up their own rules as they go along , I was once stung for a parcel from Jersey... "But its second hand I claimed .... theres no VAT duty on second hand goods "

 

 

" So you can prove that VAT was paid on the original purchase Sir ?"

 

 

Hmmmmm .... just cough up ....

 

 

I wouldn't mind , but they don't have the decency to wear stripey shirts and masks.

[reelcutter]

We got stung by having the misfortune of getting some christmas gifts sent to us from Canada,

we did get some money back from the tax eventually but not a lot and nothing from the post office so our presents actually cost us money. THE B*******. Thieves in suits.

So be careful when getting any cache goodies sent to you from abroad.

[+The Blorenges]

We got stung by having the misfortune of getting some christmas gifts sent to us from Canada,

we did get some money back from the tax eventually but not a lot and nothing from the post office so our presents actually cost us money. THE B*******. Thieves in suits.

So be careful when getting any cache goodies sent to you from abroad.

 

... which reminded me of something...

 

Someone once told me that if you have a parcel sent to you and it's addressed to e.g. Mr Reelcutter and family then you won't be so likely to be charged for duty/tax because it's presumed the enclosed items will be distributed between several individuals and so the total value of the contents are divided by at least 3...

 

Anyone know if there's any truth to this?

 

Any Revenue & Customs experts around?

 

(Just in case I need to hand out my next import of "must have" glass geocoins to everyone in the house...)

 

MrsB

Edited September 3, 2010 by The Blorenges

[+Jacaru & Wemnog]

 

Someone once told me that if you have a parcel sent to you and it's addressed to e.g. Mr Reelcutter and family then you won't be so likely to be charged for duty/tax because it's presumed the enclosed items will be distributed between several individuals and so the total value of the contents are divided by at least 3...

 

Anyone know if there's any truth to this?

 

Any Revenue & Customs experts around?

 

(Just in case I need to hand out my next import of "must have" glass geocoins to everyone in the house...)

 

MrsB

 

That sounds like a plan. Our dogs always want to set their own geocoins off

[reelcutter]

We got stung by having the misfortune of getting some christmas gifts sent to us from Canada,

we did get some money back from the tax eventually but not a lot and nothing from the post office so our presents actually cost us money. THE B*******. Thieves in suits.

So be careful when getting any cache goodies sent to you from abroad.

 

... which reminded me of something...

 

Someone once told me that if you have a parcel sent to you and it's addressed to e.g. Mr Reelcutter and family then you won't be so likely to be charged for duty/tax because it's presumed the enclosed items will be distributed between several individuals and so the total value of the contents are divided by at least 3...

 

Anyone know if there's any truth to this?

 

Any Revenue & Customs experts around?

 

(Just in case I need to hand out my next import of "must have" glass geocoins to everyone in the house...)

 

MrsB

 

That sounds like a plan to me, its worth a try

[Johnny_kiddle]

well my parcel came yesterday and it cost me £27 too get it out the ups mans hands, didnt tell me he was coming or that id have to pay at the door or even how much itd cost...wasnt impressed...I am with the stock tho

[Johnny_kiddle]

Easier to buy from a UK distributor!

 

Its still cheaper to buy it from abroad

[Iamnotasuperhero]

I've been stung with a (close to £30) customs charge on packages from America valuing around £100, this was with DHL.

I think with customs charges, we get shook down by these companies seeing it as another revenue stream, every time I've been hit it's been with DHL, but they always deliver the package and then demand money out of me.

It's a major annoyance.