Buying from Abroad

[Idris]

One of the problems we UK-based (and I assume also EU-based) collectors face are the taxes and duties levied on goods coming in from abroad:
We pay Value Added Tax (VAT, a point-of-sale tax) at 20% on goods sent from non-European Union (EU) countries and EU special territories (e.g. the Canary Islands) if they’re:
- gifts worth more than £36
- other goods worth more than £15
Furthermore, this VAT is charged on the total value, including:
- the price paid for the goods
- postage, packaging and insurance
- any duty owed (see below)
In addition, we’re charged Customs Duty on gifts and other goods sent from outside the EU if they’re above a certain value, unless the duty comes to less than £9.
The value includes:
- the price paid for the goods
- postage, packaging and insurance .
Charges are:
- Below £135, no charge
- Between £136 and £630, 2.5%,
- Above £630, the Inland Revenue table says call the Helpline!

As if that weren’t bad enough, any parcel assessed as being liable for Customs charges also incurs a Royal Mail handling fee of £8.

How does this compare with other parts of the World?

[Fox]

French customs sometimes ask for taxes, sometimes not.

But it can double the price depending on it. For instance, a model paid $50 can imply a constant part about 26€ and 20% of $50 + postage for a total amount of a about $45.

Some chinese sellers always send items reading $25 as a gift. It's useful for modern China made highly detailed models like the one below
What's totaly unfair is to pay taxes for a Dinky-Toys that was made in GB or France for instance.

[Johnny Pimp]

I've just received a parcel from the US - marked as a gift with a $25.00 value and $12.77 postage and still got hit with a £4.77 VAT charge and £8.00 handling charge.

They make it up as they go along I think.

[Idris]

I've just received a parcel from the US - marked as a gift with a $25.00 value and $12.77 postage and still got hit with a £4.77 VAT charge and £8.00 handling charge.

They make it up as they go along I think.

If it's clearly marked as a gift, I think you have grounds to appeal against the charges.

[Fox]

I bought this evening a $69 item from USA. I asked the seller to note $25 (gift) on the custom form.

I will tell you if I had or not to pay custom taxes... Crossed fingers .

[mbox2000]

We pay nothing extra, here. I don't know about really high priced stuff. But under several hundred dollars no charges except postage. But the liberals here are licking their lips at the thought of a vat tax for all and will do it if they can. The high cost of socialism...

[Idris]

The high cost of socialism...

...is as nothing compared to the high human cost of rampant, unbridled, market-force driven capitalism (but let's have that discussion in another thread some other time ).

[Fox]

Don't want to start a fight. But I just want to explain how it works there.

I'm working for a gorvernmental service. We are about 1,300 agents. And 700 private workers, that we hire at services companies.
We all do the same work. No more, no less.
The private workers are paid about 30% less than we are. But... but they cost to the government 50% more than we really cost ! Where goes that amount of public money ? In shareholders pockets of course.

edit: "30% less"

[Idris]

I'm biting my tongue. I'm biting my tongue. I'm biting my tongue............

[mbox2000]

Oh, I am also!