Importing from India to UK

[Deleted member 222667]

Hi
I am starting a new business importing art and craft items like bags, jewellery boxes, paintings etc for retail purposes into UK from parts of India. I am not sure what legal requirements I need to comply with like licenses etc. I am not able to get any information on these.Any advice will be appreciated.

I have imported a small quantity of goods around 20Kg and the supplier couriered the goods via fedEx to my door. I had paid for all the goods with packaging and transport.
A week later I got another invoice demanding £18 for Customs payable by fedEx on my behalf to HMRC. I understand this is Customs charge but is this normal, could this have been avoided/ reduced? I want to import larger quantities next time so want to know what to expect..

Will a license be needed for future imports because my business depends on this? will a freight forwarder need to make declarations on my behalf here in UK? Is this the normal procedure for imports? Please advice how to go about setting this up...

 

[yasar365]

This will be customs and duty plus a little for fed ex's handling charge.
I think if the value of goods Is around £36 - they don't charge any duties.

Personally, it is better to keep to that sort of parcel size and have them sent slowly rather then shipping one large package and getting hit with high duties

 

[KWilding]

Hi Dezireeuk

The products you are describing should not require import licence's from India.

If you can provide following information concerning your next import, i can provide you with full costs :

Port of Loading in India
Total weight of shipment
Total cubic measurement of shipment
Full lists of products, can provide Duty Rates / Tariff Headings and details of any other specific requirements.
Place of delivery in UK.

With the above information can provide you a price from port of loading in India to delivered door in the UK

Thank you

Kevin

 

[Deleted member 222667]

Hi Kevin,

Thanks for responding. I can give you some information now.
Port of loading is Delhi.
total weight by air 20 kgs. I am not sure if this is the best way as Ship may be cheaper,
Delivery in Uk to Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear.

Hope this gives you some idea.

Regards
Robin

 

[KWilding]

Hi Robin,

Can you confirm following details for your consignment and i can then give you a price by courier :

Length
Width
Height.

Thank you

Kevin

 

[Deleted member 222667]

Hi Kevin

The last time they sent a 24 inch standard cardboard box carton. It was between 22-24 " all sides and weighed around 20 Kgs. Most items are light weight some may be heavy but for those I will give you specifications. This is unusual , it may be a statue that weighs around 25-30 kg but that we can decide later.
If we take this as a standard then what will the cost be. Also will shipping be a more effective way of transporting with regard to cost, customs etc?

Many thanks

Robin

 

[japancool]

Hi
I am starting a new business importing art and craft items like bags, jewellery boxes, paintings etc for retail purposes into UK from parts of India. I am not sure what legal requirements I need to comply with like licenses etc. I am not able to get any information on these.Any advice will be appreciated.

I have imported a small quantity of goods around 20Kg and the supplier couriered the goods via fedEx to my door. I had paid for all the goods with packaging and transport.
A week later I got another invoice demanding £18 for Customs payable by fedEx on my behalf to HMRC. I understand this is Customs charge but is this normal, could this have been avoided/ reduced? I want to import larger quantities next time so want to know what to expect..

Will a license be needed for future imports because my business depends on this? will a freight forwarder need to make declarations on my behalf here in UK? Is this the normal procedure for imports? Please advice how to go about setting this up...

Normally, when importing goods into the UK for commercial purposes, you will pay VAT on the goods at the same rate as similar goods in the UK. This VAT is also payable on the freight charge. If you are VAT registered, you can claim the VAT charge back, but you will then obviously have to charge VAT when you sell your goods.

When you use a delivery service like FedEx or DHL, they will pay the customs charges for you, deliver the goods to your door and then invoice you for it, plus a handling fee of around £10. This is perfectly normal, and you should factor this into your cost price.

As for licenses, find out what the commodity code is for your goods, then speak to HMRC who will be able to advise you if there are further compliance steps you will need to take:
http://customs.hmrc.gov.uk/channelsPortalWebApp/channelsPortalWebApp.portal?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=pageImport_FAQs&propertyType=document&id=HMCE_PROD_008654

 

[KWilding]

Hi Robin,

Cost by DHL would be GBP 218.01 (Door to Door)

Plus possible remote surcharge, depending on where in India goods are collection from - GBP 16.00

Customs Clearance GBP 10.00

Plus Duty / VAT.

If you can give me the area code in India where goods are to come from, i can then confirm if remote surcharge would be payable.

If you can give me value of goods with descriptions, we can check Tariff Headings / Duty rates.

Thank you
Kevin

 

[Deleted member 222667]

Hi Robin,

Cost by DHL would be GBP 218.01 (Door to Door)

Plus possible remote surcharge, depending on where in India goods are collection from - GBP 16.00

Customs Clearance GBP 10.00

Plus Duty / VAT.

If you can give me the area code in India where goods are to come from, i can then confirm if remote surcharge would be payable.

If you can give me value of goods with descriptions, we can check Tariff Headings / Duty rates.

Thank you
Kevin

Hi Kevin
here is a sample bill of stuff I got.Would you be able to check Tariff headings/Duty rates
The area code of place of loading may be Jaipur 0141 or Delhi 011

BAG HANDICRAFT

BAG CLOTH

BAG BEAD /BLOCK PRINT

BAG

BRASS SMALL BOWL



STAMP PAPER PANTING


METAL HORSE (3PCS SET)

ELEPHANT METAL( 5PCS SET )

LAC SERVING TRAY

PEN STAND

KEY CHAIN SET 5 PCS

WOODEN ELEPHANT 2.5”

"---" 3”

"__" 4”

LAMP COPPER

IRON CYCLE

Hope this info helps

Many thanks

 

[KWilding]

Hi Robin,

Will require a little more information in relation to the products to provide Tariff Headings / Duty rates as follows :


BAG HANDICRAFT - What type of bag is it and what is it made off

BAG CLOTH - What type of bag is it and what is it made off

BAG BEAD /BLOCK PRINT - What type of bag is it and what is it made off

BAG - What type of bag is it and what is it made off

BRASS SMALL BOWL

STAMP PAPER PANTING - Is this a painting, if so is it hand painted / printed

METAL HORSE (3PCS SET)

ELEPHANT METAL( 5PCS SET )

LAC SERVING TRAY - What is this made off

PEN STAND - What is this made off

KEY CHAIN SET 5 PCS

WOODEN ELEPHANT 2.5”

"---" 3”

"__" 4”

LAMP COPPER

IRON CYCLE - Is this ornamental


Look forward to your further feedback.


Thank you

Kevin