ChatterBank1 min ago
ebay and china
5 Answers
on ebay various items of jewellery are from China with the purchaser having to pay import duties etc. how does this work? who do you pay and how much? can you find out in advance? any help appreciated
Answers
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Here's a summary:
If the value of the goods is less than £18, there's nothing to pay (except upon alcohol, tobacco products, perfume or toilet waters, when excise duties apply).
If the value of the goods is over £18, but less than £135, you have to pay 20% VAT plus an £8 handling fee. (For example, a £30 item would incur £6 + £8 in charges = £14. A £100 item would attract charges of £20 + £8 = £28). It should be noted that, when assessing the amount of VAT payable, the cost of the carriage can be included in the calculation as well (i.e. you can be charged VAT on the carriages charges, as well as the price of the goods).
If the cost of the goods exceeds £135 then, before any other charges are calculated, Import Duty is calculated using the 'Standard duty rate' column here:
http://customs.hmrc.g...propertyType=document
However, if the amount comes to less than £9 it's waived. Then VAT is calculated, based upon the price of the goods, plus the cost of the carriage, plus the import tax (if any). Then the £8 handling fee is added.
So (for example) a £70 DVD recorder, with £20 carriage, would incur these charges:
Import duty = 14% of £70 = £9.80
VAT = 20% of (£70 + £20 + £9.80) = £19.96
Handling charge = £8
Total = £37.76 (You'd receive an invoice for that amount from Parcelforce Worldwide. When you'd paid it, you then be sent your goods).
Chris
Here's a summary:
If the value of the goods is less than £18, there's nothing to pay (except upon alcohol, tobacco products, perfume or toilet waters, when excise duties apply).
If the value of the goods is over £18, but less than £135, you have to pay 20% VAT plus an £8 handling fee. (For example, a £30 item would incur £6 + £8 in charges = £14. A £100 item would attract charges of £20 + £8 = £28). It should be noted that, when assessing the amount of VAT payable, the cost of the carriage can be included in the calculation as well (i.e. you can be charged VAT on the carriages charges, as well as the price of the goods).
If the cost of the goods exceeds £135 then, before any other charges are calculated, Import Duty is calculated using the 'Standard duty rate' column here:
http://customs.hmrc.g...propertyType=document
However, if the amount comes to less than £9 it's waived. Then VAT is calculated, based upon the price of the goods, plus the cost of the carriage, plus the import tax (if any). Then the £8 handling fee is added.
So (for example) a £70 DVD recorder, with £20 carriage, would incur these charges:
Import duty = 14% of £70 = £9.80
VAT = 20% of (£70 + £20 + £9.80) = £19.96
Handling charge = £8
Total = £37.76 (You'd receive an invoice for that amount from Parcelforce Worldwide. When you'd paid it, you then be sent your goods).
Chris