Import Duty & VAT

[Purple AK]

Ok guys, loads of you have imported stuff from the states, How and when is import duty and Vat normally paid?

[GUMBALL]

Import duty is normally paid on delivery/collection by you.

When I have purchased from Summit, Parcel Force have delivered it to the door and I have written a cheque out to them.

On another occasion I collected from Parcel Force's depot and wrote a cheque out when there.

Dead easy (unlike parting with the cash and not physically getting anything for it!)

GUMBALL

[rich]

If you use the US mail service, then thay have an agreement with Parcel Force, so after arriving in the UK, Parcel Force will charge you for import duty, VAT AND home delivery.

When I had my engine imported by Memlo I had to pay import duty handling costs and VAT at their airport based office, and then was given the option of home delivery, but I took a van.

Rich

[Purple AK]

Ermm!

TNT Undocumented, Just arrived at my door 3 days after it was shipped , What about.......... ? Dunno mate I just deliver it :-}

[rich]

You Are A Winner !!!

[Purple AK]

Originally Posted by AK Rich

You Are A Winner !!!

I'll keep an eye on the letterbox though

[rich]

chris,

as I undersand it, its upto the shippers to declare any duty to be payed, so if you have it delivered I think your safe.
I once had a parcel delivered by UPS and there was never any charges to pay!

[Purple AK]

Cheers Rich

[mylesdw]

It does seem a bit of a lottery, what you get charged. I did find though that straight postal service was by far the cheapest. Other people like DHL charged for customs clearance and so on and charged VAT and duty as a matter of course whereas the postal service do not. Stuff sent by post did not always arrive with 'to pay' stamps on it.

[dave.n]

Chris
Does your stroke of luck mean my purchase is gonna be cheaper?.
You lucky lucky boy.
Be down your way soon.
dave.n (aka billy)