Customs Value for gifts to UK
Dec 5th 2012, 8:33 pm
#1
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2009
Location: Google Town
Posts: 7,532
Customs Value for gifts to UK
I'm sending a box full of Christmas gifts to the UK, I have several peoples in the same box to cut down on postage costs, but am now worried it is going to get a customs charge to pay before it is delivered.
Does anyone know what the $ limit is, and what I should write on the customs form. I have tried to search on this and seen a wide variation with some gifts of $20 value being subject to a customs charge.
Thanks
Does anyone know what the $ limit is, and what I should write on the customs form. I have tried to search on this and seen a wide variation with some gifts of $20 value being subject to a customs charge.
Thanks
Dec 5th 2012, 8:47 pm
#2
SUPER MODERATOR
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 88,017
Re: Customs Value for gifts to UK
Dec 5th 2012, 8:52 pm
#3
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2009
Location: Google Town
Posts: 7,532
Re: Customs Value for gifts to UK
Dec 5th 2012, 9:47 pm
#4
Joined: Jun 2010
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 2,262
Re: Customs Value for gifts to UK
Unfortunately they don't follow their own rules though. A parcel of mine with a gift $25 marker had customs charges laid against it.
Dec 5th 2012, 10:41 pm
#5
Chocoholic !
Joined: Jun 2007
Location: Houston, TX - Officially Not Shit since 2009
Posts: 2,324
Re: Customs Value for gifts to UK
Here's another link. Make sure you tick gift on the customs form. Maybe I have been lucky, nothing I have sent has ever had a problem.
http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/customs/post/buying.htm
http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/customs/post/buying.htm
Gifts sent from outside the EU
If you're sending or receiving a gift from outside the EU:
Excise Duty is payable on any alcohol or tobacco products
Customs Duty is payable if the value of the gift exceeds £135, but will be waived if the amount of duty is £9 or under
import VAT is payable if the value of the gift exceeds £40
To qualify as a gift:
It must have been sent from a private person outside the EU to a private person(s) in the UK.
The Customs Declaration must be completed correctly – see guidance on the customs procedures for goods posted to the UK link below.
It must be for the use of either you or your family.
There must be no commercial or trade element and it must not have been paid for by the recipient either directly or indirectly.
It must be of an occasional nature only - for example for a birthday or anniversary.
If it's perfume or toilet water it must be within the allowances described in the earlier section 'Perfume and toilet water'. If the allowances are exceeded than charges apply on the excess.
Customs procedures for goods posted to the UK
If you're sending or receiving a gift from outside the EU:
Excise Duty is payable on any alcohol or tobacco products
Customs Duty is payable if the value of the gift exceeds £135, but will be waived if the amount of duty is £9 or under
import VAT is payable if the value of the gift exceeds £40
To qualify as a gift:
It must have been sent from a private person outside the EU to a private person(s) in the UK.
The Customs Declaration must be completed correctly – see guidance on the customs procedures for goods posted to the UK link below.
It must be for the use of either you or your family.
There must be no commercial or trade element and it must not have been paid for by the recipient either directly or indirectly.
It must be of an occasional nature only - for example for a birthday or anniversary.
If it's perfume or toilet water it must be within the allowances described in the earlier section 'Perfume and toilet water'. If the allowances are exceeded than charges apply on the excess.
Customs procedures for goods posted to the UK
Dec 5th 2012, 10:48 pm
#6
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2009
Location: Google Town
Posts: 7,532
Re: Customs Value for gifts to UK
Here's another link. Make sure you tick gift on the customs form. Maybe I have been lucky, nothing I have sent has ever had a problem.
http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/customs/post/buying.htm
http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/customs/post/buying.htm
Dec 5th 2012, 11:00 pm
#7
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Feb 2010
Location: Temecula, CA
Posts: 4,759
Re: Customs Value for gifts to UK
Ah, I wondered about the multiple gifts in one box thing. I hope what you did works!
Dec 5th 2012, 11:17 pm
#8
SUPER MODERATOR
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 88,017
Re: Customs Value for gifts to UK
What I had read early, suggested it was very hit and miss.
Thanks, I've sent it now. I ticked gift and marked on it was 6 x Gifts for different people. It cost me $60 to mail it, so really hoping I don't get another charge on top. I'll worry about it until it gets delivered now
Thanks, I've sent it now. I ticked gift and marked on it was 6 x Gifts for different people. It cost me $60 to mail it, so really hoping I don't get another charge on top. I'll worry about it until it gets delivered now
Dec 5th 2012, 11:24 pm
#9
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Feb 2010
Location: Temecula, CA
Posts: 4,759
Re: Customs Value for gifts to UK
Depends whether it's stuff you can get in the UK, even mail order. My sister wanted some food stuff before and it was about the same to post as to order off Amazon UK or whatever. Plus I could stuff a load of extra goodies in as well, as it was by volume rather than weight.
Dec 5th 2012, 11:42 pm
#10
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2009
Location: Google Town
Posts: 7,532
Re: Customs Value for gifts to UK
I usually just do Internet, but it was a special request. Figured I might as well buy other stuff for people and ship it all together.
Dec 5th 2012, 11:55 pm
#11
BE Irregular
Joined: Jan 2004
Location: Tampa Bay Florida
Posts: 4,849
Re: Customs Value for gifts to UK
I have been buying the annual "Hess Truck" at the local gas station for my nephew, and posting it to the Netherlands for years. Postage cost is about the same as the toy. $25 odd. Never had a customs issue.
I wouldn't be surprised if I can do it online via amazon nowadays, but it's our "tradition"
I wouldn't be surprised if I can do it online via amazon nowadays, but it's our "tradition"
Dec 11th 2012, 5:13 pm
#12
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2009
Location: Google Town
Posts: 7,532
Re: Customs Value for gifts to UK
The parcel was delivered today, no customs charge was added to the parcel so that's a relief
Dec 11th 2012, 6:19 pm
#13
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 22,105
Re: Customs Value for gifts to UK
I'm sending a box full of Christmas gifts to the UK, I have several peoples in the same box to cut down on postage costs, but am now worried it is going to get a customs charge to pay before it is delivered.
Does anyone know what the $ limit is, and what I should write on the customs form. I have tried to search on this and seen a wide variation with some gifts of $20 value being subject to a customs charge.
Thanks
Does anyone know what the $ limit is, and what I should write on the customs form. I have tried to search on this and seen a wide variation with some gifts of $20 value being subject to a customs charge.
Thanks
