Well this is what I just paid for having some razors imported from the US. What I find the most perplexing is how they charge me VAT and duty on the postage paid by the sender,
So be warned UK buyers, ask the seller for a lower value on the packet and hope for the best. Gift is not a way out of the DUTY trap or Second-hand. Even pleading that the goods were 100 years old makes no diff.

YOU HAVE TO PAY
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I would like to explain that all goods both new and second hand, sent from outside the European Community are liable to Customs Duty and VAT if the value of the goods is over £18. If the parcel contents are a gift from a private person abroad to another person in this country the limit is raised to £36.

Duty is charged as a percentage of the value of the goods. The percentage varies depending on the type of goods and the country of origin. Duty is charged on the price paid for the goods including any local Sales Tax plus postage, packing and insurance costs. Duty amounts of less than 10 Euros are not raised.

VAT is charged at the same rate that applies to similar goods sold in this country. The value of the goods for import VAT is based on the value for duty plus any duty charged.

The charges on your parcel were calculated based on the information provided on the Customs declaration completed by the sender as follows;
Goods straight razors
Country of Origin USA
Value $200 Rate of Exchange 1.961/£1
Postage and Insurance $20.55 Rate of Exchange 1.961/£1
Value for Import Duty £112.46
Duty £ 9.55
Value for VAT £ 122.01
VAT @ 17.5% £21.35

Total Customs Charge £30.90

The additional £8.00 is a Parcelforce Worldwide fee which is levied by them as a contribution towards the cost of presenting the parcel to Customs, paying the duty and VAT on your behalf and collecting it from you. It is entirely separate from the duty and VAT charged by HM Revenue and Customs and if you require further information you should contact Parcelforce Worldwide direct on 08708501150.

If the information supplied on the customs declaration is incorrect and you would like us to further investigate these charges would you please forward to this address the items indicated below: -

* The ORIGINAL Red and White Customs Charge Label. (You may have to cut this off the box)
* The ORIGINAL Customs declaration. (Which should be attached to the side of the parcel.)
* Evidence of the value of the goods including all shipping and postage costs i.e. an invoice/receipt.
* If the item was a gift, an original written declaration from the sender of the parcel confirming gift status, a description of each item, the value of each item and for whom each gift was intended for. If any of the items are clothing for children, please confirm the individual sizes of each garment.
* Goods purchased via the inter-net:

o A copy of the page that shows the final purchase price.
o E-mail account confirming the total postage, shipping and insurance costs.
o A copy of your credit card/paypal account to confirm point 1 and 2.
* Please confirm whether or not you are Vat registered. If so, please provide details of your Vat registration number.

Donna Routledge (Mrs)
Correspondence Team
HM Revenue & Customs
Coventry International Hub
Siskin Parkway West
Coventry
CV3 3HX
Tel; 02476 212860
Fax; 02476 212812
Email; [email protected]
Website; www.hmrc.gov.uk


So there you have it.


PuFF