Importing to UK

[Sugarsweet]

Hi guys

I am new in the forum. I have a quick question that needs to answer for my business. I am about shipping a low bulk of sweets from China to UK. Just unsure about when it arrives in the UK, what I need to do to pick it up in terms of custom tax, duty fee or VAT or anything relate to this that I am not aware of at the moment.

I will be much appreciated if someone can advice me on that.

Thank you

Sugarsweet

 

[Merchant UK]

Ok here goes..

Customs Duty is charged as a percentage of the total value of the goods - that is the sterling equivalent of the price paid abroad.

To work out the percentage, each type of product is given a 'commodity code'. This tells you what the Customs Duty rate percentage is for that particular product, based on whether it's being imported or exported.

There are around 14,000 different classifications. The duty rate percentage for each may vary according to the country the goods come from. The average percentage is between 5 and 9 per cent, but it can be as low as 0 per cent or as high as 85 per cent.

To find out the Customs Duty rate for a product you can contact HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) VAT Helpline or the Customs, International Trade & Excise enquiries.

Excise Duty is a tax on certain goods such as alcohol and tobacco. When you buy excise goods in the UK the price you pay includes this tax. As your just getting Sweets then ignore this one


Import VAT rate The percentage charged is the same VAT rate that applies to similar goods that are sold in the UK.

The import VAT percentage rate is applied to the total value of the goods. In the case of goods brought in this is the sterling equivalent of the price paid abroad, as shown on the receipt. In the case of goods posted from outside the EU, it is the amount on the Customs Declaration, which includes the price paid for the goods, the cost of transport, postage and packing, insurance and any duty that may be payable.

If you have a look here at the HMRC page they have a starter pack for Importers and Exporters http://customs.hmrc.gov.uk/channels....portal?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=pageImport_Home

 

[Sugarsweet]

Thanks for your advice that I just realise that I may not have to pay much for Custom Duty, Excise Duty(ignored )and Import VAT. So please tell me if I am wrong that I will make all payments in terms of custom duty and import VAT at the depot where I am collecting my goods? Or is there another way of make the payments? Thanks

 

[Merchant UK]

Thanks for your advice that I just realise that I may not have to pay much for Custom Duty, Excise Duty(ignored )and Import VAT. So please tell me if I am wrong that I will make all payments in terms of custom duty and import VAT at the depot where I am collecting my goods? Or is there another way of make the payments? Thanks

have you got a shipping agent thats arranged everything for you? or are you just doing it all yourself? The best bet would be to call HMRC direct from that link i gave you

 

[Sugarsweet]

I am still reaching for a good shipping agent in China and UK. I am trying to cut the costs down as much as possible. Sure I will contact HMRC tomorrow thanks. Do you know any good shipping agent in Northwest region?

 

[Merchant UK]

I am still reaching for a good shipping agent in China and UK. I am trying to cut the costs down as much as possible. Sure I will contact HMRC tomorrow thanks. Do you know any good shipping agent in Northwest region?

Thats where google is your friend

 

[GraemeL]

Hi guys

I am new in the forum. I have a quick question that needs to answer for my business. I am about shipping a low bulk of sweets from China to UK. Just unsure about when it arrives in the UK, what I need to do to pick it up in terms of custom tax, duty fee or VAT or anything relate to this that I am not aware of at the moment.

Not certain as it depends on the sweet, but import duty is about 20%. Then there is VAT of course.

G

 

[Wavecrest Ltd]

If you're importing sweets from China there may be Port Health issues. Would recommend you obtain an ingredients list with percentages from your supplier and run it by Port Health. Some additives are banned in the EU. They are also interested in imports of animal products (e.g gelatin)

Glen

 

[Directimport]

If you're importing sweets from China there may be Port Health issues. Would recommend you obtain an ingredients list with percentages from your supplier and run it by Port Health. Some additives are banned in the EU. They are also interested in imports of animal products (e.g gelatin)

Glen

Sugarsweet, I hope you have done your homework before ordering the goods. As Glen points out, there are rules that apply to foodstuffs, including sweets. If they do not comply they could be confiscated and destroyed.

Importers do not necessarily need to know all the rules, but they do need to know that they exist, and they should in advance obtain the advice of an expert. Certain categories of imports are either restricted, prohibited, subject to quotas, subject to quarantine procedures, or subject to very strict regulations etc.

Many types of products can be imported very easily with very straight forward procedures, but as I have pointed out previously on this forum, buying overseas is not quite as simple as going to your local store. It requires careful research.

 

[safexcrane]

I agree with Merchant UK.. However mostly suppliers take all taxes charge in payment so that you won't pay anything while releasing your parcel. however you should confirm with supplier..

 

[nina.tsintsarova]

Do you think China is the best place to ship from? What about Turkey or some other Eastern European country?

Nina
thesocks.com

 

[Sugarsweet]

Thanks for all your comments guys. Much appreciated! I don't know if many of you have been to any foreign supermarket in the UK. I have been to few ones and aware that almost all foreign food products has a ingredient & Nutrition facts sticker at the back of its package and display of importer's contact details etc on it in English language. I assume that it is must be standard procedure by law so people know what's in it. But what really intrigue me is where this information comes from. In particular, ingredient & Nutrition fact info. If it is done by importers or shop owners or any third party then the information can not be accurate. If it is not then who provides the information? Port Health Authority?

 

[Sugarsweet]

Do you think China is the best place to ship from? What about Turkey or some other Eastern European country?

Nina
thesocks.com

Origin of my food product is from China. So any other countries can not apply.

 

[Directimport]

Do you think China is the best place to ship from? What about Turkey or some other Eastern European country?

Nina
thesocks.com

Nina's post should really be the start of a new thread, because it raises an important subject.

Although my book is primarily about importing from China, I also deal extensively with importing from other countries, and Turkey is one of them. I have previously mentioned the subject of other countries in different threads on this forum, but it does not seem to attract much interest.

These days, when people think of importing it seems that they cannot think beyond China. There are many countries that are quite competitive in prices, but also it is possible to find some unique products if buyers look to other countries, in some of which you will find a very different attitude towards quality control.

I have experience in importing from quite a few different countries, and I have personally visited them to check out the situation. The extent of industries both large and small scale, in countries such as Turkey, Eastern Europe, South America, as well as Asian countries other than China is quite surprising to many people.

People sourcing goods for resale should think outside the square. It is easy to locate suppliers in almost any country and the benefits can be substantial.