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punky · 10-05-2004, 20:55

I think the way it works out, is that Customs gives it a value that they think they are worth in the UK, and if it is worth ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â£18 (including postage) then you pay the duty on it. How much you pay is entirely up to them, but varies between 5% and 9%. The website I checked out said you have to pay VAT, but the official government says you don't, so I can't help you there.

Here are the sites:

http://www.hmce.gov.uk/public/shopping/shopping.htm
http://www.sloanefox.freeserve.co.uk/importukduty.htm

If you had a friend out there you could trust, you could probably get round the Customs charge, People are allowed to send presents into the country (upto ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â£36), without you having to pay the duty/VAT. So if you bought a years supply for ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â£100, and sent it to your friend in the States, he can split it up, and send it to you in 4 parts. He must clearly mark it a present though. Of course the Customs guy is at liberty to decide wether you're trying to cheat the system or not, and add duty/tax/fines so use that method at your own risk.

So basically, i'd advise you not do it. Sorry.

10-05-2004, 20:55	#6
punky Inactive Join Date: Jun 2003 Age: 45 Posts: 14,750	Re: Import duty etc.... I think the way it works out, is that Customs gives it a value that they think they are worth in the UK, and if it is worth ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â£18 (including postage) then you pay the duty on it. How much you pay is entirely up to them, but varies between 5% and 9%. The website I checked out said you have to pay VAT, but the official government says you don't, so I can't help you there. Here are the sites: http://www.hmce.gov.uk/public/shopping/shopping.htm http://www.sloanefox.freeserve.co.uk/importukduty.htm If you had a friend out there you could trust, you could probably get round the Customs charge, People are allowed to send presents into the country (upto ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â£36), without you having to pay the duty/VAT. So if you bought a years supply for ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â£100, and sent it to your friend in the States, he can split it up, and send it to you in 4 parts. He must clearly mark it a present though. Of course the Customs guy is at liberty to decide wether you're trying to cheat the system or not, and add duty/tax/fines so use that method at your own risk. So basically, i'd advise you not do it. Sorry.