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Overseas Duty & Custom Charges

Lamyliz

By Lamyliz
in Great Britain & Ireland - Europe

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Lamyliz Near Mint

Lamyliz

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Does anyone know how to calculate the import & duty taxes for buying a fountain pen from outside EU to UK? I see you bargains on eBay but unsure how much I'll get stuffed on taxes. The gov.uk site is a nonsensical nightmare to work out, just a ball park figure will do :)

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Karmachanic Donor Pen

Karmachanic

Posted
Posted (edited)

Over £15 - VAT and handling charge which varies. Often £8-12.

Also depends upon who's on duty and where it's coming from. US always. Japan sometimes. China rarely. YMMV. Some merchants put the full value some don't.

So it short - it depends!

Be prepared to pay the full tab and you won't be surprised.

Edited by Karmachanic

Add lightness and simplicate.

 

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Inkysloth Vintage

Inkysloth

Posted
Posted

Theres a decent import VAT estimator here: https://www.shippo.co.uk/faqs/what-duties-and-taxes-will-i-have-to-pay/#import_vat

 

Always remember youll be charged the £8 handling fee by Royal Mail on top of the VAT & customs duty. (Ive never had to pay customs duty, my purchases have always been below that threshold, but I remember for a $25 t-shirt the VAT was only a couple of quid but the £8 handling fee felt somewhat punitive!

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dapprman Vintage

dapprman

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Basically you will be charged duty on the total (including p&p) declared on the customs slip if it is over £15 (unless declared as a gift, in which case it £39) - think it's 4% for stationary and pens, and then you are charged VAT on the new total. Looking at the government site (to confirm starting levels) it looks like gifts don't get charged duty if under £135, then 2.5% if the value is between £135.01 and £630, after which it is normal rates.

 

There is also a handling charge. UPS, FeDeX, Parcel Force, plus others charge £12 and every parcel is processed so you will have to pay. Royal Mail charge £8 and still seem to just select random parcels so some times you're not charged at all.

 

Note if you are bringing items back yourself, rather than having posted, then the base level is £230 (if you're stopped - I hung around in the Declare are at Heathrow, though due to bringing a realistic airsoft gun back with me from Hong Kong, and was totally ignored.)

Edited by dapprman
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