[FAQ] Customs and Import Duties - Page 36

Ratfink · 20-03-2011, 13:27

Top man, Baps - thanks.

Yeah, not sure how they'll record it. I just got a blu package from them they recorded as CDs. I was hoping if I order a book as well they might just record it as a book. Hmm.

Well, worse comes to worse I guess I can claim back. Will try it.. cheers!

Mick Jones · 20-03-2011, 16:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ratfink

Well, worse comes to worse I guess I can claim back.

If you have been charged incorrectly, and can prove it to their satisfaction, Customs will refund you. However in my experience Royal Mail will not refund their administrative fee.

Guest 45362 · 20-03-2011, 17:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ratfink

A question that's probably been answered in some form. I want to order a book & blu from Amazon.com. They total it together of course, but am I right in thinking the blu ray itself can be up to �18 and I should incur no charges due to the book being exempt?

Correct. However, as Amazon don't detail the Customs slip on a per-item basis but rather just show a total value, you would almost certainly get charged because the total will be above the �18 threshold.

Now you could reclaim the payment, which would involve getting a refund from Customs first (relatively simple, a copy of the order confirmation email suffices) and then from the Royal Mail (which requires that AND the admission from Customs that you shouldn;t have been charged) but it's a lot of hassle.

The easiest way is to just make two orders. You pay more shipping, but it's probably the simplest way.

Guest 45362 · 20-03-2011, 17:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mick Jones

If you have been charged incorrectly, and can prove it to their satisfaction, Customs will refund you. However in my experience Royal Mail will not refund their administrative fee.

They will, but you need confirmation from Customs that you were charged when you shouldn't have been.

A copy of the letter that accompanies a refund from HMRC suffices.

But it's all a lot of bother.

driver8 · 20-03-2011, 17:50

Slightly OT, but for the last couple of years I've found The Book Depository (check the .com site too) to be cheaper than amazon.com as their prices *include* free delivery.

Ratfink · 20-03-2011, 21:37

Thanks gents! All good info..

Quote:

Originally Posted by driver8

Slightly OT, but for the last couple of years I've found The Book Depository (check the .com site too) to be cheaper than amazon.com as their prices *include* free delivery.

Off topic or not mate, you just saved me a few quid! They have the book I want, and a good few squids cheaper.

Cheers!

driver8 · 21-03-2011, 04:00

Guest 47807 · 23-03-2011, 14:06

Sorry to pass on bad news but today's budget reduces the free of VAT import package limit from �18 to �15 from November.

Guest 61990 · 23-03-2011, 14:11

Full details here:

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/budget2011/tiin6820.pdf

Seems odd, �15 is not going to impact chart CDs and many Blu Rays tend to be �14-16 so they may become 14.99 now if we're lucky. The document itself says it will raise virtually bugger all (not in those terms!). They may also revisit this next year if they can't close the Jersey loophole.

johnsy · 23-03-2011, 14:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by Douglas R

Sorry to pass on bad news but today's budget reduces the free of VAT import package limit from �18 to �15 from November.

Well, that's not as bad as I'd heard...I heard somewhere a day or so ago (can't remember where) that it was going down to �8 which would have affected most of the imported DVDs, Blus, etc....

Guest 45362 · 23-03-2011, 14:25

The �8 (actually, 10 euro, which is what the relevant EU Directive prescribes) is the lowest value it could be set to. It can be set to any value between 10 and 22 euro, as a member state chooses

Also sounds like they're going to ask for a derogation from the relief altogether, at EU level, that could remove the relief completely on either certain types of item or - more likely - from a particular territory.

It's what was done when a similar situation arose with the Aland Islands who share a similar relationship with either Denmark or Finland as I recall.

Guest 47807 · 23-03-2011, 14:48

Doesn't seem much point really because only a spot check is done by Customs on packages. So chances are that most packages over �15 in value will still slip through.

Guest 45362 · 23-03-2011, 15:03

Yes a lot of it is luck

They're also cutting back staffing and �16 DVD's from Jersey are unlikely to be a priority to customs

Baz · 25-03-2011, 18:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by Douglas R

Doesn't seem much point really because only a spot check is done by Customs on packages. So chances are that most packages over �15 in value will still slip through.

Seem to get all mine though.

chubbybrown · 05-09-2011, 18:58

Just got nailed for three T shirts from threadless �11.75 the robbing *****

Toge · 05-09-2011, 19:03

whats the EU customs limit? is it something like 42 pounds?

Mick Jones · 05-09-2011, 19:10

The EU is a customs union.

Jonny G · 12-09-2011, 19:18

How am I getting hit for �20 and �25 for 2 packages with a combined goods value of $110 plus a further $40 in shipping that are being delivered by UPS?

The smaller valued package has only $30 of the total goods value too. So the difference makes no sense to me.

The card they left doesn't explain and their Customer Service line never answered the phone when I tried to call.

Guest 45362 · 13-09-2011, 10:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by Toge

whats the EU customs limit? is it something like 42 pounds?

There are no customs or other import duties on intra-EU items. The entire EU is considered as a "domestic market" for customs purposes. There are never any customs duties between EU countries, and any VAT is paid in the country of purchase - even if the VAT rates between the two countries vary on particular goods.

The only exception to this rule is that of excise, as applied to alcohol and tobacco products. You are not free to import this (you could a few years ago, then HM Treasury found out folks were buying cheap fags and booze over the net) - also, if you bring it back personally, you have to show it is for your own consumption.

Guest 45362 · 13-09-2011, 10:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jonny G

How am I getting hit for �20 and �25 for 2 packages with a combined goods value of $110 plus a further $40 in shipping that are being delivered by UPS?

The smaller valued package has only $30 of the total goods value too. So the difference makes no sense to me.

The card they left doesn't explain and their Customer Service line never answered the phone when I tried to call.

Because most of the charge they are levvying on you is made up of their "admin fee" not the actual duty and VAT. Those are probably fairly small - most of the �20 and �25 charges is going to be made up of the fee they charge for processing import-charge-due items. This varies depending on who you use - for Royal Mail it is a flat fee of �8 per package. It's probably more like �12 for UPS.

The $40 shipping is, well, whatever they charge for shipping. Note that once goods value itself goes over the �18 limit, the shipping is added to the goods value and the whole becomes subject to duty and VAT...