import from outside EU countries

[gg_dagg]

Dear all,
I am planning to make a purchase from outside of EU countries. Do i have to resigter a VAT number for that if the annual turnover is less that £55,000?
If i don't need register a VAT, do i need do anything to inform Custom about my import?
Thanks for your time.

[kyber]

You do not need to register for VAT until you hit £60,000.

You will need to pay VAT and duty on the goods you are importing (for business purposes) as per the duty tables available on the C&E website.

The customs paperwork that is required as part of the import will trigger the invoice. Some of the agents will collect this from you on behalf of C&E.

Start here (http://customs.hmrc.gov.uk/channelsPortalWebApp/channelsPortalWebApp.portal?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=pageImport_Home) on the HM Revenue and Customs site.

Stuart

[gary]

Be aware as well, that some imports are being charged at the wrong duty rates by the shipping companies who are just using a flat rate. You could end up paying double what you should, so phone the Classification section at Customs to get your correct code.

[kyber]

Good point. We (LAM Design) have experienced this problem. We often import fabrics and it take a while to work through the details of lots of different materials listed in the tables to find suitable matches to look up the duty rates. We have been charged 200% more than we should have been on more than one occasion.

Stuart

[gg_dagg]

thanks for all

[woopi]

You need an excise export license from the country you are exporting from. You can apply for one from the UK embassy in that country, showing them your passport and some proof of business (like recently paid reciepts/invoices etc.)

I recommend registering voluntarily for VAT, as it gets one thing out of the way, and all of your records will have VAT inclusive.

BTW, India recently started adding VAT to everything! Just a bit of global news for you...

W

[gary]

You need an excise export license from the country you are exporting from.

I would have thought it's likely to be an import licence rather than an export licence as you're importing not exporting, and the licence would be issued from the UK. It's up to the exporter in the country you're buying from to sort out their end. A licence is only required in some cases and products. Importing clothing from the USA generally doesn't need a licence, but the same clothing from China may. Check with UK Customs as they will tell you exactly what needs to be done.