Custom duty ?? Baby clothes HELP !

[Dreamthedream]

Hi, hope I've popped into the right section on here .
I have just started my own business ...selling baby /children's clothing ......I am vAT registered .
Could anyone PLEASE shine some basic advice about custom duty .....Most of my items are ordered via an agent here in the uk ...I don't have any charges on my goods .
I have decided to order a couple of brands /dealing direct with the compaines in the USA ...as they don't have agents /rep's here ...it is done 'on line' & is shipped via 'parcelForce' ....Yesterday I had to pay £70 DUTY before I could have the parcel delivered ...as well as a handing fee .....simple question can I claim this 'duty' back ???....OBV the items are zero rated when i sell them as they re baby childrens clothes ....any idea's please ???
I'm only ordering approx £350 every time I order ....It's a reputable USA company ...not just buying from a seller or anything ...So it'a all above board ..it's just this DUTY that is baffling me ..& ''IF'' it can be claimed back ...i can't sell the clothes as I don't know if this prce needs to be added to make it back ( making the clothes more expensive) Or if it can be claimed back like VAT can ??

THANK YOU ...hope that mades sense to someone xx

 

[hgibbster]

We looked into importing from America and I'm pretty sure our accountant said we couldn't claim back they Duty charges, just the VAT and I think we had to get a receipt from UPS to claim back a small percent of the handling charge. This is going back from memory so may be wrong and also we aren't in the same line of business so it may be different for you!

 

[kulture]

First I would tell your supplier to highlight that it is BABY CLOTHES on the manifest.
Second I would contact HMRC and ask what duty and import VAT is applicable on baby clothes.
Third I would contact UPS and ask why they paid import duty and VAT on Baby clothes and demand that they fix it and refund you.

I had this once long ago where I was importing books. The manifest clearly said books but Fedex paid duty etc. I complained to them and was refunded instantly.

If there is duty and VAT on importing baby clothes then you can claim back the import VAT but not the duty.

 

[Arch Stanton]

I've just had a quick look at the UK Trade Tariff site and that seems to say that babies' garments (heading 6209) are subject to a duty rate of 10.5%, though this may not be the correct rate for the particular items you imported.

Import duty and shipping/handling fees will be an expense in your business accounts. As advised, you can not recover duty on your VAT return.

If you are selling children's clothing then I suggest you read HMRC's VAT Guidance on zero rating clothing as some larger sizes may be subject to VAT.

 

[robertlopez]

[FONT=&quot]Hi, I’m Robert.. new to this space. Can someone help me find a site that offers natural/ eco-friendly baby products?

I’ve found a few sites but not all their products are organic or eco-friendly, and it’s hard to find a site that has cute stuff.[/FONT]

 

[chiggs]

[FONT=&quot]Hi, I’m Robert.. new to this space. Can someone help me find a site that offers natural/ eco-friendly baby products?[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]I’ve found a few sites but not all their products are organic or eco-friendly, and it’s hard to find a site that has cute stuff.[/FONT]

Hello Robert, have you seen Frugi? They do wholesale http://www.frugiwholesale.com/