Importing Pens Into The Uk From The Us - Any Experiences

[Chrissy]

For what it's worth, HMRC also advised me that they don't give 2 hoots what price someone pays for an ebay item. All they want is an estimated value of the item. That can be the original estimated value (useful for old items) or the sellers cost price, or even the manufacturers cost price. They know that ebay items sometimes go for more than an item is worth. They are human and don't intend to rip off joe public

[Apprenti]

A question: if tracking says 'CUSTOMS CLEARANCE', does that mean America's customs or England's? This is from the US to the UK.

 

I've got a nice pen coming that's going to incur some nasty charges, but even with customs at about 20% it's still going to be an incredibly small price to pay (by comparison)!

 

Thanks,

Joe

Edited February 25, 2014 by Apprenti

[checkrail]

Exactly. Under British tax law it is the importer, ie you the customer, who is legally reponsible for the accuracy of the customs declaration. If it is deliberately misstated the importer is the criminal here in Britain. The exporter, ie the seller, is presumed to have completed the declaration on the buyer's instruction as his/her agent.

In practice exporting countries' authorities do not much care and the exporter's risk is actually virtually nil. This is because with the end of export tariffs there is no loss to the exporting country if the value is misstated and therefore it would be a financial cost to enforce.

I was advised by HMRC that the problem and trouble never lies with the sender but with the recipient who asked for a lower value to be shown

[bbs]

A question: if tracking says 'CUSTOMS CLEARANCE', does that mean America's customs or England's? This is from the US to the UK.

I've got a nice pen coming that's going to incur some nasty charges, but even with customs at about 20% it's still going to be an incredibly small price to pay (by comparison)!

Thanks,

Joe

UK customs. But if you've got the tracking data, you should be able to trace its progress, and that it's landed on this side of the water.

[paulmcmanus]

I've been stung a number of times - as everyone else says, they get you on the import duty and then the post office charges you as well.

[Apprenti]

UK customs. But if you've got the tracking data, you should be able to trace its progress, and that it's landed on this side of the water.

So 'Cleared Customs' means it's in England? Cool, shouldn't be long now then, thanks

[Andyroo]

I used amazon.com to buy a Namiki Falcon where you pre pay the duty, that was handy.

[bbs]

So 'Cleared Customs' means it's in England? Cool, shouldn't be long now then, thanks

Yes, but if you haven't had any other tracking info for a couple of days, I'm afraid they've probably got you for charges .... Enjoy your pen when it arrives though!

[Blueorb]

Just been Stung for a Binder nib for my Pelikan. £21.00 plus £8.00 handling fee.

[Stephen2020]

This thread makes me think of The Beatles song - Taxman.

[Apprenti]

Just been Stung for a Binder nib for my Pelikan. £21.00 plus £8.00 handling fee.

Haha, that's certainly not what I'd call 'getting stung' I just paid about £100 for a nakaya. However, I didn't have to pay for the Nakaya itself, just the customs, and I was only too happy to do so for such a lovely gift Usually, I resent customs. In this case, I gladly paid them

 

Looking forward to Wednesday

Joe

Edited March 1, 2014 by Apprenti