Custom charges on electronic items from USA

zYx · 31 Jan 2012 at 03:06

Hi there,

I was just wondering if anyone knows the exact figure that I might be and probably will be charged when I buy an electronic item from the US. The item I'm looking to buy is about $3000~£2000.

What can I be charged and how is it calculated?

Cheers everyone.

Cupra · 31 Jan 2012 at 03:12

depends on a lot of things even what currier used but around £400

6thElement · 31 Jan 2012 at 04:03

Didn't think the Trojan Vibrating Twister cost that much.

memyselfandi · 31 Jan 2012 at 05:55

No way to guess an exact figure ... VAT and Duty will depend on what item and what the shipping cost is, (as the calculation is performed on the item cost + shipping cost figure). Admin charge will depend on the courier service used.

I would hazard a guess around 25% of the total item + shipping cost.

arknor · 31 Jan 2012 at 08:16

memyselfandi said:
No way to guess an exact figure ... VAT and Duty will depend on what item and what the shipping cost is, (as the calculation is performed on the item cost + shipping cost figure). Admin charge will depend on the courier service used.

I would hazard a guess around 25% of the total item + shipping cost.

there is
http://www.dutycalculator.com/
the "handling fee" RM/parcel force charge should be £8

Scrutinize · 31 Jan 2012 at 08:25

Allow 25% of total price. However on high value electronic items, it can be hard to get properly insured couriers with what you may consider reasonable shipping costs as many have lots of exclusions. Often boat or crate is the only way to minimise your risks.

Sometimes, depending on price and size of item it is cheaper to fly out there and collect in person and carry on as luggage then fly back. Of course you should still declare it but for laptops, phones, even guitars you can normally just put it in luggage etc

Once you weigh up the exchange rate you will really get from your bank / cc, the actual cost to ship fully insured, import duty and the lack of warranty, imo, you still want to be making a 30% saving over UK prices once all bills are settled to make it worth-while unless you can’t buy it here.

memyselfandi · 31 Jan 2012 at 08:31

arknor said:
there is
http://www.dutycalculator.com/
the "handling fee" RM/parcel force charge should be £8

No, there is no way for us to guess an exact figure whcih is what the OP wanted ... he can calculate a figure using the (useful) site you have linked to but with information provided in the OP we wouldn't be able to perform the calculation as we can't accurately fill in the required fields.

The site also doesn't give you the handling fee charge which will vary by courier used.

Scrutinize · 31 Jan 2012 at 08:34

Don't forget you pay duty / charges on the shipping and shipping insurance costs too.

arknor · 31 Jan 2012 at 08:38

memyselfandi said:
No, there is no way for us to guess an exact figure whcih is what the OP wanted ... he can calculate a figure using the (useful) site you have linked to but with information provided in the OP we wouldn't be able to perform the calculation as we can't accurately fill in the required fields.

The site also doesn't give you the handling fee charge which will vary by courier used.

you can easily find out though....

and its not going to be more than £16