UK Import taxes/duties on EBAY cars from US

[DimmaDan]

Anyone any idea how much i will get stung for?

Looking to buy some kit from Stella Models.

[smallman28]

Typically 17.5% VAT and a clearence fee by the Royal Mail for the "priviledge" of them dealing with Customs & Excise on your behalf.

Those are the two most likely one but there is always a chance they might sting you with something else just cause they feel like it!

This usually only applies to items over £30 in total,it isnt supposed to include shipping costs but it is a bit hit and miss sometimes as to wether or not they take P&P into account.

[Pellandine-sports]

Work on a worse case scenario of 30% of the total of declared value of the item and its shipping. This should consist of import duty and VAT but if it comes in Parcel Force then they'll charge you a clearance fee.........for what I do not know because none of the parcels I have received have ever been inspected beyonf the green customs ticket.

Duty is claimed very much on an Ad Hoc basis as there are simply too many packages coming in these days. The system in place for Personal Imports was never geared up for the increase in traffic due to the internet.

Of all my puchases Ebay or otherwise I have only ever been charged on a small percentage......and those that I was charged on were not always the most expensive.

Good luck

[Dazmeister]

You probably wont get stung with Stella - I never have in over 50 purchases. They will mark it as a gift and of low value.

On the other hand I always get stung from the USA !!!

Daz

[DimmaDan]

Yeah, Stella did say they would mark it as a low value gift.

But dont really want to order 5 kits and then get screwed for 30% as it will be a fair whack.

[Dazmeister]

Buy from Fusion, you even get a discount if you are a fully paid up Tamiyaclub member - its a half way house between importing from HK and paying Hobby Company RRP !

Daz

[jozza]

I agree with Daz, if the kit you want is available in the UK, Fusion's price will be a few quid more than the import price, but without the worry of whether or not you will be charged duty. Most of the time the import price + duty on a kit will exceed the Fusion price with the TC discount. I tend to limit my overseas buys to spare parts which are hard to source here in the UK.

[smallman28]

quote:Originally posted by jozza

I agree with Daz, if the kit you want is available in the UK, Fusion's price will be a few quid more than the import price, but without the worry of whether or not you will be charged duty. Most of the time the import price + duty on a kit will exceed the Fusion price with the TC discount. I tend to limit my overseas buys to spare parts which are hard to source here in the UK.

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Same here.

[DimmaDan]

Cheers guys.

I have spoken to James at Fusion and he has sorted me out with good deal.

I will be getting some bearing sets from Stella as they are so much cheaper than UK prices.