Quick importing question

[Morgan]

I have a supplier in the states and I used to tag my (small) order onto an existing UK client of theirs (at my suppliers suggestion). It was an aggreement that suited everyone - the UK client took a small cut for their trouble but would basically post the greetings cards onto me when they received them and it saved me importing them myself (which I looked into but seemed easier to do it this way as they knew what they were doing regards importing/customs etc).

The UK client is unfortunately no longer trading and when I asked the US supplier for another UK client I can tag my order onto, they've given me the name of someone in Dublin.

So, if the Dublin client is agreeable (as it's their only stockist this side of the pond), could they just 'post' my box of cards over from Ireland or are they still subject to importation/customs malarkey as they would be from the states?

 

[Morgan]

Or can anyone tell me about importing greetings cards? Is it straightforward, do I have to pay when they land in this country no matter where they are from?

 

[Paul Kelly ICHYB]

The importing process is the same/similar if the goods arrive in any EU country, however, surely the importer does all that and passes they cost on to you?

Why cant you order direct? You will pay unit cost + shipping + clearance + duty + VAT. If sent by courier, they will sort everything out for you (but get the sender to pay for the courier, as it is cheaper if they pay, from the US).

 

[MikeJ]

The Irish company will pay for the import into the EU. Once it's that far, there's no further duty to pay from Ireland to the UK.

 

[deniser]

Get them to send it direct from the US by the United States Postal Service as their rates are very good and it is handled by Parcelforce at this end. All that happens is you get a letter from Parcelforce asking you to pay the charges which you can do by phone or online and they then deliver the parcel. There is no great mystery about it.

Courier fees are generally much higher but it depends on weight and volume of course.

 

[Morgan]

Consultant - I'm not sure what you mean ie wouldn't I be the importer if I was dealing with US directly? Or is there a third party company I have to import via you mean who would deal with that and pass on the costs?

MikeJ - so if the Dublin people agreed, they could simply just 'post' my order over from there without me having any 'messing around' with customs/duty?

Deniser - Well seeing as you've worded it like it does indeed sound easy. When I spoke to HMRC for advise a few years ago it confused the hell out of me to be honest and put me off it doing it. So you're saying my US supplier could send direct to me using US Postal Service and Parcelforce automatically pick it up this end and deliver to me once I've paid?

If I did the latter, how much would I have to pay on greetings cards? Regards volumes I'd probably be talking about 300 cards so not very many. They'd fit in a fairly small box - ie size of a crisp box that sort of size.

 

[Paul Kelly ICHYB]

If you are using some one else e.g. the guy in Dublin, he is the importor into the EU. If the goods go direct to you, you are!

 

[Morgan]

If you are using some one else e.g. the guy in Dublin, he is the importor into the EU. If the goods go direct to you, you are!

Ahh I see what you mean. That's the problem though I've lost my UK importer who as you say did used to do that side of it for me. Not sure if the Dublin contact will want to do it leaving me doing as the importer as you say which I wanted to avoid as it sounded so darned complicated but thanks to this thread, it seems not.

Anyone know how much would be payable when they reached UK shores from the US (if I was to do it myself).

 

[Jeff FV]

Hi Morgan

We design all our own cards and have them printed 5 miles down the road, so, I'm afraid, I can't help with any details about importing cards.

However, thinking at it from a different angle, do the cards have to be imported from the USA? There's plenty of card companies in the UK - maybe you could source what you want from a UK company and save all the hassle? Happy to try & point you in the direction of any suppliers that might be suitable, if you let me know what sort of thing you're looking for.

Jeff

 

[deniser]

Deniser - Well seeing as you've worded it like it does indeed sound easy. When I spoke to HMRC for advise a few years ago it confused the hell out of me to be honest and put me off it doing it. So you're saying my US supplier could send direct to me using US Postal Service and Parcelforce automatically pick it up this end and deliver to me once I've paid?

It really is that easy - I get at least 5-10 x 20 kilo boxes from the US every week!

You can make it even easier if you import volumes like I do by opening an account with Parcelforce who then just deliver and send you a monthly bill which you pay by direct debit.

 

[Morgan]

Thanks Jeff, will PM you.

Thanks Deniser - whats the duty (ball park figure). If I order £200 worth of cards for example?

 

[Paul Kelly ICHYB]

Deniser,

do you consolidate the shipments? That would save you a fortune!!!

 

[deniser]

Deniser,

do you consolidate the shipments? That would save you a fortune!!!

I've investigated it it but I need the stuff so quickly and have so little space that it suits me to come as it does as some of it is sold out the day it arrives.

 

[deniser]

Thanks Jeff, will PM you.

Thanks Deniser - whats the duty (ball park figure). If I order £200 worth of cards for example?

You need to ring the Commodity Codes classification helpline and describe what you are importing and they will give you a commodity code. You then need to call the inland revenue and ask them for the rate of import duty applicable to that code.

That gives you the rate of import duty. Multiple it by the total invoice cost including shipping to get the actual amount payable. Add VAT for the total invoice cost. Then add £8 (standard) or £13 (express) handling charge and you have your total.