Buying bits from the USA.......... - Customs Loop Holes

[jT Racing]

I've only ever paid VAT over the total amount of the item and postage and then a handling fee. Never paid any duty, even on items costing 100's of dollars.

[OrgasmDonor]

I've only ever paid VAT over the total amount of the item and postage and then a handling fee. Never paid any duty, even on items costing 100's of dollars.

up until 3ish years ago, this was deffo the case, i must have bought close to 500 items in the past from the states n up until 3ish years ago only got stung twice by customs, then almost overnight everything started getting hammered, best not to bother unless its cheap or something ya really want, also stuff was for nowt from across the pond back then, $2.20-$2.60 to the pound, cheap postage n no customs, i was laughing my c0ck off at the stuff i was getting, all gone to cack now 

[jT Racing]

I bought a synth last year for 400 dollars plus 90 postage, still only paid vat plus 8 quid odd to parcel force. They sent me a bill a bit like a wage slip, not really a letter.

[Gnarlyscoots]

As has been said, the best way is to get them to mark to item as a 'returns damaged item' or 'returns not as described'. Some sellers won't do it because they have been stung by buyers here in the UK claiming they never received the item.

On smaller items, get the seller to mark it as 'gift' with a very low value. You take the chance of lost or damaged items but you take that chance here in the UK too. I have a friend who used to work for the post and wouldn't want to worry you guys with some of the stories that I have been told by him    

[Orange777]

As has been said, the best way is to get them to mark to item as a 'returns damaged item' or 'returns not as described'. Some sellers won't do it because they have been stung by buyers here in the UK claiming they never received the item.

On smaller items, get the seller to mark it as 'gift' with a very low value. You take the chance of lost or damaged items but you take that chance here in the UK too. I have a friend who used to work for the post and wouldn't want to worry you guys with some of the stories that I have been told by him    

Ask your mate in the Post Office to keep his eyes open for an Eddie Fiola GT Pro Performer please!! 

[ED209]

T H A N K      Y O U !!!

Does seem to be no real rules around this except luck!

Loving the idea of marking as a child's toy!! Think I would have the NSPCC on my case when they see how battered the item is!

All really helpful as usual!!

 

your avatar picture is really wrong 

[FREESTYLE MASTER]

Anyone know of a good way round being robbed by customs? I bought a snowboard few years ago from the US and paid more than the cost of the boar :-[d in Import Tax

Found a bike in the US and the seller is suggesting he will mark it as "Vintage Bike Parts"

Any help is appreciated!!

 

Hello, Orange

   I sell and ship to the U.K. and AU all the time.

What I do is if I sold something on ebay I change the value of what they payed for the item to $5.00 US dollars and mark as a commercial Sample.
 
  Unfortunately you can not change the price of the shipping cost it will not let you.

 And I always have my buyers come back with Thank you e-mails.

    Same applies for item bought on Forums thru a Pay-Pal Transaction.  

[Orange777]

Anyone know of a good way round being robbed by customs? I bought a snowboard few years ago from the US and paid more than the cost of the boar :-[d in Import Tax

Found a bike in the US and the seller is suggesting he will mark it as "Vintage Bike Parts"

Any help is appreciated!!

 

Hello, Orange

   I sell and ship to the U.K. and AU all the time.

What I do is if I sold something on ebay I change the value of what they payed for the item to $5.00 US dollars and mark as a commercial Sample.
 
  Unfortunately you can not change the price of the shipping cost it will not let you.

 And I always have my buyers come back with Thank you e-mails.

    Same applies for item bought on Forums thru a Pay-Pal Transaction.  

Thank you!! Hopefully should know if they guy will sell me the bike soon and will mail him with mark up instructions!!


Really helped me a lot!

T h a n k.  Y o u

[Frosty]

As already mentioned the problem with undervaluing an item is if it gets lost in transit. The seller will only be able to claim back what was declared, so often they are reluctant to mark substantially less than what they sold for.

The real killer is the vat at 20% now. It is calculated on the total costs, including the shipping, using their fx rates too.

There are a couple of ways to avoid the duty charges, but to be honest at the moment VAT is the real issue., here's one, state this code number 9501009000 (this is the tariff code for bicycle wheels and parts) it should be clearly stated on the address cover letter on the package. This should legitimately reduce the import duty to a zero % rate.
 
I know from bitter experience at the moment what losing a valuable item is like, and that was on these shores!!

[Orange777]

Cheers Frosty!! Just won my GT - totally excited, although will be needing a lot more help!!

That VAT code looks great - will ping onto the Americas!!

T H A N K   Y O U

 

[Orange777]

Some amazing help in here on importing bits from the US for restoration etc

How would you get an Admin to save as a stickie to help others??