Import Tax From China/Japan Help Needed

[simon20]

Hi i need some help understanding Import Tax

I Am Buying Some Embroided Patches From Japan/China and the seller has told me i will have to pay import tax

i Am Paying Roughly £200 For these patches, is the import tax worked out what i paid for them?

Do i just pay on the door when the patches come?

Is they forms to fill out?

And do i need anything legally to do this?
any help would be appreciated
Regards Simon

[frauke]

It depends who brings it into the UK. If its the post office or a courier like UPS, parcel post, DHL etc. If you get charged, they will contact you to make sure you will pay it when it arrives in the UK.

I don't know what the min amounts is currently, (as under a certain amount it can be exempt, or "slip" through the system!) but if the HMRC decide to charge - it should include 15% VAT plus perhaps a small percentage depending on fixed tariffs.

You can look into "imports" on the HMRC site which should provide the information you need. Its the C (customs) part of HMRC which deal with this. If you can find a telephone number for them they are very helpful if you want to ask lots of questions on how it works etc.

[CertaxBexley]

From recollection, if via Post Office they charge what I view as an extortionate fee plus the import fee. The last time I had such a transaction the PO fee was higher than the HMRC import fee, on a goods of some £50

[Calibre Designs]

Hi Simon,

Can you please explain in more detail about the product?
I may be able to help.
Thanks
K

[Wavecrest Ltd]

Hi. We are shipping and forwarding agents based in Kent. As per previous replies to your question, if the goods are sent over by courier/post office they will take care of clearing the shipment on your behalf and will collect any applicable import duty and VAT from you.

If the goods are sent over by air or sea freight that's another story. You would need to arrange for the goods to be customs cleared at the port/airport of arrival. We provide this service at all UK ports/airports. The import duty is calculated on the cost of the goods plus shipping and any marine insurance. VAT at 15% is calculated on the cost of the goods plus shipping, any marine insurance, the import duty and also an HM Customs allowance for UK landing charges.

I suspect that from the nature of the goods you are having sent over they will probably come by courier so you should not have to worry too much about the clearance.

If in the future you progress to larger shipments that are too big to go by courier, please feel free to contact me. Apart from handling the customs clearance in the UK we can also arrange competitively priced shipping from most countries.

Best regards
Glen

Wavecrest Ltd, Gravesend, UK