thought you might like this !!

[tmurray2626]

today i receive two parcels from the usa one from af1 the other from a clothing shop in california
post guy hands one box to my daughter no problem but then asks her for £68.22 approx £122 dollars for the second box
turns out the uk customs and excise decide to levvy charges for import duty and vat
now both boxes have the packing notes taped to the outside and both are for just over $300 dollars

robbing british bastards
tony blair can kiss my scottish arse at the next elections im done with this country

[morelli]

This kind of activity seems to be hit and miss here. Sometimes they hit you with all of the above and other times not at all. I can never figure how they screen inward goods except it must be on the whim of an individual on the day. I appreciated Mike from Mike's Grills substantially "de-valuing" the cost of the grills on the paperwork when I received them and thus no taxes were paid.
Remember George Harrison's song "Taxman" - "one for you, nineteen for me"

[Tuono SBK]

I had the same issues when I received an order from AF1. I got hit with import duties, customs handling charge and a courier handling charge. I ended up paying almost the same as the UK price, even with a very good $:£ exchange rate.

As you say, all we get is tax, tax and more tax.

[rsvandy]

Yep the taxman will get you if importing goods over £30.00 into the UK. Always best to either get the seller to declare a lower goods value or buy from the EU.

[mysubaruimp]

For the people in the USA who are shipping things in to you guys, what is the best way to do it.

I have heard that a declared value of <$100 will be free for you, I have also heard that if you mark it as a gift it is not taxed.

What is the best way to mark packages so it will be cheapest for you?

[Tripdog]

Just so everyone knows that the US is as screwed up this way as everyone else, I bought a pair of Daytona boots from a shop in England. Seemed like a great buy--about $60 less than Helimot with shipping (Helimot couldn't guarantee that they would have them in stock). Well when they arrived, the duty was $125--seems that leather goods get a healthy strapping when shipped from England. Lesson learned--at least they are great boots.
Trip

[clarkie49]

I shipped an 04 swingarm to England and it got within 100 miles of it's destination and then was shipped to Northern Ireland it finally got there with no import duty/tax

[Maccaa]

Just had my parcel delivered from AF1 today £80 TAX!!!!!!!!! so phoned the customs and excise. Don't bother it will wind you up even further. They even charge vat on the postage charge from the states!! not just the goods.

I had asked Ed to mark items as gift which he kindly did however according to customs a gift will still be subject to vat if its over £37 anyway. Dont mention fresh air to anyone or they might tax that as well, or do they already!!!?

Macccaa

[woolly]

For tax on fresh air .... read Kyoto Protocol & a big slice of Gordon Browns 85% fuel tax

[amauri]

I'm about to ship some expensive parts to the UK, if I declare a lower value I have to insure it for that value or less. If the package is lost or damaged I'm responsible.

Unless the recipient is willing to risk it, I have to declare full value.

[tmurray2626]

then thats between you and the buyer
he cant have his cake and eat it !! can he ??
but touch wood ive never had a parcel go missing from the usa and ive had quite a number
trevor