Buying new kit from Europe

[bumpy]

The seller will sell without VAT being added, but what's the sting in the tail? Certainly VAT, but are there any other duties to pay.

[Macca]

Think it is 3% on hi-fi. Plus clearance charge.

[bumpy]

Think it is 3% on hi-fi. Plus clearance charge.

So is there no 20% VAT or is that on top of the 3%? Also what is a clearance charge

[struth]

no you'll pay uk vat i think too

[bumpy]

no you'll pay uk vat i think too

Thanks Grant. I think I will phone HMRC on Monday. I hate expensive surprises.

If I get a sensible answer I will post it here for others.

[Macca]

So is there no 20% VAT or is that on top of the 3%? Also what is a clearance charge

Yes there is 20% VAT on that too, and 20% VAT on the shipping charge.

Clearance charge usually between £12 and £15

[bob4333]

And make sure your order gets shipped in one go or for every package you'll pay the clearance charge. Ouch!

[hornucopia]

A result of brexit.
Estimate 33% on top of cost.
There is a system to pay in advance (avoiding carrier charges) but finding a carrier who does this is aparently hard.
Am currently waiting for such a package-shipped by DHL's Formula 1 division, it seems( who carry the cars etc., about the world!)

[Lawrence001]

Yep Brexit was always going to be a mixed bag, we all had to balance the pros and cons and make our mind up before we cast our votes. Democracy in action.

[Macca]

The only thing Brexit has added is the duty and the clearance charges, and then only for buying from the EU since you already paid all that when buying from anywhere else in the world prior to Brexit.

You always paid VAT even before Brexit, plus some EU countries have a higher rate of VAT than in the UK so you actually paid more than 20% VAT if buying from one of those.

[bumpy]

And make sure your order gets shipped in one go or for every package you'll pay the clearance charge. Ouch!

That's interesting The 15" speaker drivers I want are not in stock and they have offered to gift me in advance a pair of 6" drivers for free by way of compensation. Will be interesting to see how that goes with taxes.

[Pigmy Pony]

I shouldn't think free stuff would be taxable. I mean, what's 20% of nowt?

[bumpy]

I shouldn't think free stuff would be taxable. I mean, what's 20% of nowt?

I'm with you on this but how many times can HMRC be fooled by tax dodger claiming its a gift.

[bob4333]

i found out the hard way. Importing some automotive stuff I couldn't get over here.

I had one large parcel - £15 clearance by Royal Mail, then an email from the supplier saying they'd left something out - another £15 clearance. There must have been something else as I remember paying £45 by the end of it just for clearance. And what did RM do to earn this?

Nothing apart from send me letters to say they wouldn't release things until I'd paid. Not even telephone calls or emails. I told the supplier to next time keep everything until it's ready to go.

I've had the same when buying from Japan (a Shelter 5000). DHL this time, depends on who the international shipper has the agreement with.

[RockAddict]

From experience, assume the total cost is:
product + shipping + import duty + (possible) handling + VAT on the total of the preceding costs.

The reality... duty / handling / VAT may or may not be added. Some EU businesses already have an agreement with UK authorities to add on duty / UK VAT at source meaning no additional costs post-purchase.The



I have purchased hi-fi related items from Poland, China, Canada and the USA. Different experiences for each. Weirdly, the purchase from China (amp) was the most straightforward - no extra for duty / courier fees / VAT (trade agreement? Or a mistake?).

BTW... Last year, I tried to get info about import duty from HMRC via the official website and a subsequent telecon. Utterly futile. Cretinously useless.

In summary, assume the worst / hope for the best. Good luck!

PS: Currently waiting for Sparkos Op Amps from the USA. Expecting a hit for duty / handling / VAT.

[Pigmy Pony]

BTW... Last year, I tried to get info about import duty from HMRC via the official website and a subsequent telecon. Utterly futile. Cretinously useless.



Chris (Bumpy): There's your answer, right there. HMRC can probably be fooled again and again, because they lack the time, manpower and will to be arsed with stuff that will barely pay to keep their vending machine stocked.

[Macca]

BTW... Last year, I tried to get info about import duty from HMRC via the official website and a subsequent telecon. Utterly futile. Cretinously useless.

.

lol yes their website is crammed full of information except for the information you actually need. Same with any big organization or company. The Peter Principle is to blame I think.