custom and excise.

Soldato
Joined
1 Aug 2006
Posts
4,071
Hi If I was to buy private from some person living say in America or some other international country and they sent the item would I have to pay custom and excise ?

Would he have to state as gift ? this is NOT from ebay just a friend.

I will using PayPal for the transaction.

thanks.
 
Some one is selling a computer item on a forum and I want to buy.

thanks.

Edit: Come to think of it any one can send any one anything in the world, so no I would not pay revenue.
 
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Some one is selling a computer item on a forum and I want to buy.

thanks.

Edit: Come to think of it any one can send any one anything in the world, so no I would not pay revenue.

Countries have rules and the majority of people follow them ;)

Is your friend the forum seller? :p

It would seem you came already equiped with your answer, no?
 
Countries have rules and the majority of people follow them ;)

Is your friend the forum seller? :p

It would seem you came already equiped with your answer, no?

You make it like I am trying to screw the system :)

Some guy is selling on a forum just like ours here at overclockers a second hand Item but he lives in another country .

I know it comes across as a stupid question but need to be sure.

I think I had a brain fart before I started the thread.
 
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Some one is selling a computer item on a forum and I want to buy.

thanks.

Edit: Come to think of it any one can send any one anything in the world, so no I would not pay revenue.

Why wouldn't you pay tax (assuming that's what you mean by revenue)?
 
If the item was checked by Customs, and there was a formal declaration of value on the item, you would be charged VAT and the appropriate Duty-rate (so, 20% + around 3.something%).

If there was no formal declaration of Value, HMRC might confiscate the item, return it to sender, send it on to you without charge or make up a value, tax you accordingly and then charge you for it.

Of course, you might get lucky and not have it checked at all.
 
Edit: Come to think of it any one can send any one anything in the world, so no I would not pay revenue.

Wrong if the value of the goods exceed £15 or £40 if it's declared as a gift and HMRC believe it is a gift.

Tax on goods ordered from or bought abroad

If you're ordering or sending goods from a non-EU country to the UK, even as a gift, you may have to pay Customs Duty, Excise Duty and import VAT.

Please note that where the guidance below refers to 'purchased goods' it makes no difference if the goods are new or used, for example goods bought on an auction site. And it doesn't matter if you buy them for yourself or to sell on.

If you order or send purchased goods other than alcohol, tobacco, perfume and toilet water from a country outside the EU then you:

  • don't have to pay Excise Duty
  • may have to pay Customs Duty on goods with a value that exceeds £135
  • will have to pay import VAT on goods with a value that exceeds £15
Note that on all goods from outside the EU, Customs Duty is waived if the amount of duty calculated is £9 or under.

Gifts sent from outside the EU

If you're sending or receiving a gift from outside the EU:

  • Excise Duty is payable on any alcohol or tobacco products
  • Customs Duty is payable if the value of the gift exceeds £135, but will be waived if the amount of duty is £9 or under
  • import VAT is payable if the value of the gift exceeds £40
 
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dont expect it to pass customs if its marked "gift" or "low value" either,i got slapped with duty fees with a graphic card that was marked low value/gift,its just luck of the draw whether your parcel is inspected or not
 
Don't forgot you might also get spammed by the royal mail for a processing fee. Recentl ordered an item from the US that came to £100, ended up paying £20 in VAT and another £13 in processing fees. Just factor these fees in when ordering and decide then if the item is worth it. If your lucky and get through without any charges, you've saved money!
 
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