Buying from the USA

Raz0r · 23 Feb 2008 at 09:54

I'm after some advice..

What kind of costs are involved on importing from the USA? Aside from the obvious purchase of said product..?
It would be costing me $320, which works out a hell of a lot cheaper to how much 2nd hand versions are being sold on for in the UK (korg electribe mx-1), so im guessing the tax/duty fee is a certain percentage of the items value?

Finally, I would be sending the money via paypal, but its not a bay transaction... would I still be insured upto £500 or whatever they offer?

Help!

:confused:

Johnny Girth · 23 Feb 2008 at 09:57

You need to check with Paypal but I'm pretty sure it isn't protected so that's asking for trouble right there.

The biggest charge will be VAT at 17.5%.

Then you've got customs duty at about 5% or whatever it is. Check with the HMRC website.

Raz0r · 23 Feb 2008 at 10:14

Best bet is to ask for the person to sell it via private auction at the bay? I'm guessing that way I would be insured up to £500?

Johnny Girth · 23 Feb 2008 at 12:48

You will be protected up to £150 but to get the £500 protection you need to make sure the criteria in clause 13.9 of the EU user agreement are satisfied.

C4EVA · 23 Feb 2008 at 15:13

Just don't make the mistake I made and buy anything leather from America as it has a ridiculously high import tax!! Cost nearly as much as the value of the cowboy boats :eek:

BennyC · 23 Feb 2008 at 16:27

I brought some tools from america for my course at uni, totalling £127 or $260 there abouts, and the import tax was circa £35 if i recall.

just Scott · 23 Feb 2008 at 16:41

It depends how lucky you are.

I paid £25 import fees in total for my £130 Denon headphones from Japan. But I paid £45 import fees total for my £55 Oppo DVD player from America. I didn't pay anything for my £250 Schecter Hellraiser guitar, luckily. It just arrived.

Johnny Girth · 23 Feb 2008 at 16:47

H2F Scott said:
It depends how lucky you are.

I paid £25 import fees in total for my £130 Denon headphones from Japan. But I paid £45 import fees total for my £55 Oppo DVD player from America. I didn't pay anything for my £250 Schecter Hellraiser guitar, luckily. It just arrived.

Got to watch out though. I once had a FedEx bill for customs/VAT + handling about 2 weeks after they delivered one of my items from the US :/

Maccy · 23 Feb 2008 at 17:16

Benny06 said:
I brought some tools from america for my course at uni, totalling £127 or $260 there abouts, and the import tax was circa £35 if i recall.

Despite being a hassle with the import charges