Bit annoyed with customs!!

[Yorkie]

I think a lot depends on what they put on the declaration note as to the value of the contents. I'm surprised that no-one has yet been stung through buying packs of components from Justradios in Canada. Touch wood, I've bought lots of things from the Far East and never been hit. You are allowed a certain value duty free, just as when bringing stuff in though Customs from the States, but I can't recall what the amount is. (Some things - books for example, are VAT free anyway).

It's a nice little earner for the Post Office!

What also annoys me is VAT on second-hand goods - VAT's already been paid when the item was new, so why should HMRC get a second bite at the cherry?

[Weazel]

just get them to post it as donation if wont find a freind to post it to even funny if u try a negative number

[RF Burn]

When I buy stuff from the far east (china) the sender invariably declares it as a 'gift' or ludicrously undervalue the shipment without my asking, seems they don't like paying taxes either, unfortunately most 'western' suppliers will always declare the true value or, in one case grossly overvalue and cost that me a fortune.

The import system contains a 'double whammy' for the unwary. It goes like this:
1) If the declared value is greater than £15 (was £18 up to the last budget - gggrrrrr!) then the item is processed.
2) An £8 handling charge (for parcelforce) is added.
3) The declared value and the postage amount and the £8 charge are added together.
4) If the declared value is greater than £115 (I think) then customs duty is calculated and added to the total.
5) VAT is calculated on the total and then added to it.
6) The whole expensive process can delay delivery by as much as 14 days (my experience).

Ouch!

Adrian

[pwdrive]

Yes, it's an unfortunate fact of life I'm afraid, never had stuff from the Far East but have had a fair bit of stuff from Stateside, the stuff always gets hear but no seller over there will mark it down which I suppose is understandable ( would you tell lies for a stranger) the other thing to be aware of are the customs gorillas, if the contents of your parcel has wires hanging out of it then they just seem to rip it arpart regardless of fragility, I have had several vintage louspeaker cabinets (with speaker) sent to me from abroad, one was a quite rare expensive job, the customs gorillas had stuck their fingers up under the magnet detatching the centralising diaphragm and forcing the voice coil right off the pole piece, I managed to resue it all but that's not the point.

Lawrence

[AlanBeckett]

So far, touch wood, I've got away with it from the States. One relatively expensive piece of kit was clearly marked Vintage/Second Hand - it was probably more like 99th - and that made it OK.
I supect it's in the lap of the proverbial Gods.
Alan

[pwdrive]

No wonder you look so happy in your avitar Alan.

Lawrence.