sambapink

When I used to buy stuff from ebay (US) when I was back in the UK.. I knew there was always a chance I would have to pay a fee.. (not quite sure if its a customs fee, or a tax on the item). When I send stuff home now I think that if I put 'gift' on it, nothing has to be paid at the other end (UK).

So, does anyone know what it is that has to be paid.. and under what circumstances.. For example, if I were to sell something on ebay and send it to a random person in the UK..??

hobbes79

Standard protocol is usually just to tick "Gift" on the customs form that gets stuck to the envelope/box.

I'll leave it that

EDIT: Oh, I see you're already aware of that. I'm not sure of all the legalities involved if you don't tick that. Sorry.

Duncan Roberts

Technically anything over (I think) £18 has to have VAT and duty paid on it, plus any processing fees the delivery company puts on it. The post office will add minor fees, couriers like UPS will tack on a tidy sum. Gift really shouldn't do anything and it really is the luck of the draw really. If it doesn't get looked at then it won't get fees added, if it does it probably will. They will go by the price listed but if they choose to look inside and you put the wrong value in their eyes then they will make it up. One way round it is to open anything you send. That way it's a used product and because of that the value is lower. There is no exact science or special trick way round it. You can minimize the risk of it getting tagged but the risk is always there. Customs duty rate depends on the goods.

Edit: Here's the official numbers.
# Customs duty if the amount of duty is €10 (£7) or over
# Import VAT if the value of the goods is €22 (£18) and over

sambapink

Thanks Guys... Just really wanting to know what sort of fee's to pre warn people of..(should it arise).. Think the correct term used here is 'covering your arse'..

MsElui

just to be aware as well - i bought some software from the US when I was in the UK. UPS delivered it as normal. MONTHS later they wrote to me saying I had underpaid on the duty and owed them something like £17. So just because they dont charge you when it arrives doesnt mean it wont catch you out later. (nb most likely only an issue with courier type stuff)

lansbury

The customs duty limit has just been increased for Brits buying online from overseas, I think I saw it was going to be £250 but I might be a little bit out. It was either on the BBC or Telegraph web site(s) I think I saw it.

VAT will still be charged if appropriate and the limit wasn't changed.

Bluegrass Lass

We sent my OH's aunt a birthday gift one year that she had to pay custom's fees (or whatever) on. It was an ~$45 glass paperweight IIRC, and we ticked gift on the customs form. She still had to pay in order to pick it up. We felt quite badly about it.

CarrotCruncher

I bought all sorts from all over, whilst I was in the UK. I know that every time, without fail, I had to pay duty on any goods delivered by UPS. Goods delivered to me by Royal Mail, (anything that originated from the country's own national postal service) I rarely paid any duty on. This was true for parcels from Aus., USA, Singapore, Europe. It depends on how much value you have stated the contents are worth and whether it is a gift.