Postage from America

[gibba8]

Do not know where to post this!
Does anyone know about import charges/tax that are added onto parcels sent from America. Hoping to order a doll for xmas so it wont be very heavy but do not want to be stung for extra charges when it arrives.
Any information would be great or ideas where to check out the info.

[TheWinner]

I think import charges are only for items that are very valueable, like gold, etc, I don't think items like a doll would count.

[petal54]

who ever you are hoping to order doll from should be able to tell you

[TheWinner]

Here is a link for you.

http://customs.hmrc.g...ent&id=HMCE_CL_000014

[LCDMAN]

If it's declared value is between £15 and £135 then you'll pay VAT at 20% on the declared value plus the shipping charges and any handling fee levied by the importing agent (ParcelForce charge £8, for example). If it's declared value is over £135.01 then there may well be import duty payable as well, the duty rate varies with the type of goods being imported.

TheWinner, you think wrong my friend, badly wrong.

[spotit3]

Ask the sender to mark GIFT on it and there will be no charge!!

[LCDMAN]

spotit3 - sorry but you are so, so wrong. Marking the item as a "gift" on the customs declaration does NOT negate the tax/VAT/duty liability. It merely raises the threshold at which it becomes due from £15 to £30.

[spotit3]

Not sure LCDman. I get qute a few gifts from friends in USA and have never had to pay anything for them.

[Dee Sa]

depends how much the senders put on the customs declaration, they tend to say more than the cost for insurance purposes out there.
I bought some shoes that cost $50 +p&p they put $70 on the declaration, I got a letter from Parcel Force to collect and that cost another £21 for customs plus Parcel Force standard handling fee charge.
Have you contacted Hamleys toy store in Regent St London, they may be importing these dolls ? worth a try.

[LCDMAN]

spotit3, no it's correct see here;

http://tinyurl.com/cbxjgbk

"2.4 Gifts

Goods sent as a gift that are over £40 in value are liable to import VAT. Customs duty also becomes payable if the value of the goods is over £135 but is waived if the amount of duty calculated is less than £9.

To qualify as a gift:

the customs declaration must be completed correctly
the gift must be sent from a private person outside the EU to a private person(s) in this country
there is no commercial or trade element and the gift has not been paid for either directly or indirectly by anyone in the UK
the gift is of an occasional nature only, for example, for a birthday or anniversary

Note: if you purchase something from outside the EU to give as a gift to a relative or friend, whether or not addressed to that person, it is treated as a ‘commercial consignment’ for which the import VAT relief threshold in paragraph 2.3 applies."

[spotit3]

Thanks LCDMAN for clarifying that.