Taxes, custom's duties for Chi-Fi imports

[Bonky]

As above. I'm interested in a Chinese valve amp (about £662 plus the substantial p&p of £264). Any ideas as to how much extra I would need to pay in UK taxes and Duties?

Many thanks.

Edit; I went to : https://www.shippo.co.uk/faqs/what-duties-and-taxes-will-i-have-to-pay/

£407 for Vat and Duties. This sounds excessive. Does anyone know?

[struth]

duty of 3.5% then a 20% vat on that subtotal... shipping is included in the duty payment subtotal.. afaik

[Macca]

Combined cost of freight and amp is a grand so about £200 in VAT

From memory tariff on hi-fi is 20% so another £130. Broker fee about £12

[Macca]

duty of 3.5% then a 20% vat on that subtotal... shipping is included in the duty payment subtotal.. afaik

Is duty on hifi really only 3.5% ?

£407 seems way too much then.

[struth]

https://www.simplyduty.com/calculate-uk-import-duty-taxes/

[Lawrence001]

https://www.simplyduty.com/calculate-uk-import-duty-taxes/I wouldn't trust that as it says we're still in the EU.

[mikeyb]

Explained here...

https://www.gov.uk/goods-sent-from-abroad/tax-and-duty

[Bonky]

Thanks everyone. Revised estimate is now £224 taxes and duties on an amp (£662) and P+P (£264). That's more like it - still expensive though.

The amp in question is the Willsenton R8 (rave reviews everywhere!). Torn between the R8 and the Exposure 2510 (the latter being more expensive but better warranty and is 'mostly' British).

[hifi_dave]

Personally I'd go for something British, even if s/h. When that Chinese amp goes bang, who will fix it ?

[anubisgrau]

may i hijack the thread to ask the same question for US imports?

[struth]

think it will be same... https://www.gov.uk/goods-sent-from-abroad/tax-and-duty

[Gazjam]

Thanks Boris...

you 'effin Twit. :rolleyes:

[Macca]

There's always been duty on shipments from the USA and China because there has never been a trade deal with them. So nothing's changed.

[Bonky]

It makes one wonder if, in, say, the case of valve amps, it's cheaper in the long-run to buy the less-expensive option from China and then replace the valves/tubes in the UK? (Rather than opt for the more expensive valves in the amp and have them shipped to the UK).

I'm aware that 'foreign-made' valves (ie most of them) would still attract the 3.5% tariff and VAT, but economies of scale etc...

[Bonky]

Personally I'd go for something British, even if s/h. When that Chinese amp goes bang, who will fix it ?

Very true, but valve amps are relatively simple, using standard components I think - EXCEPT, for the transformers. Now if they went supernova then that would be problem !

Thanks.

[anubisgrau]

Very true, but valve amps are relatively simple, using standard components I think - EXCEPT, for the transformers. Now if they went supernova then that would be problem !


why? there's so many decent makers of transformers around - from power to output ones...

[Bonky]

Such as ...? With exactly the same specs?

Good news: From the ' a British audiophile' site;
For those of you in the U.K. Lee at China Hifi has just informed me that he has appointed a partner to deal with warranty claims in the U.K.
Snow Audio Repairs
Fareham
Hampshire
PO16 0SW
UK


why? there's so many decent makers of transformers around - from power to output ones...

Apologies btw, the title should read "Customs" and not "Custom's"

[Larrycat]

Hi Richard,
I too am considering the Willsenton R8 and have been in contact with Yong Lee at Chi Hi-Fi. Have you pressed the buy button yet?

[Bonky]

Hi Richard,
I too am considering the Willsenton R8 and have been in contact with Yong Lee at Chi Hi-Fi. Have you pressed the buy button yet?

Hi Paul, no, not yet. I'm very temped but I wish to home audition the new Exposure 2510 first. I'm pleased with my WD Kel84 valve amp at present - I replaced the two 'pre-amp' valves and to my ears, sounds better.

Also, Yong Lee's reply to my enquiry had a spreadsheet that just wouldn't open.

[Jason P]

I'd be interested in this one too - I fancy a Willsenton and they look very nicely made (all point-to-point with decent components) so I'm far less concerned about reliability issues - they also do a proper 240v version. Let us know how you get on!

[Floyddroid]

Have you thought about Prima Luna? Just a thought.

[Lawrence001]

I saw a brand new Willsenton on eBay a few weeks ago, the seller said his wife had hit the roof when it arrived and he had to move it on straight away. It disappeared quick but don't think it was marked as sold. Maybe worth a look.