Import VAT - DHL Question

Mull3t

Mull3t

Mull3t

Soldato
Joined
13 May 2008
Posts
3,654
Location
Leicester
Hi All,

Can't really find an answer to this anywhere.

I have been importing some stuff for a while now from China and the usually tracking information normally updates with DHL stating 'Customs Status Updated' and normally I would go ahead and log onto the ePayments and pay the VAT (product is Duty free).

Only this time it has gone through all the usual checkpoints right up to with local sorting office.

So my question is; does everything being imported in the UK have VAT applied through DHL? Or do some things go through the net?

I know a while ago importing products from the Far East was hit or miss if you got charged or not but assumed things had been tightened up to apply to everything that is over £15 value.
 
DHL usually send you a letter before they deliver the parcel to pay the duty online or by cheque. I did once have to give a cheque to the delivery driver though as my letter didn't arrive, although that was quite a long time ago now.

I doubt you will get away with it as DHL collect on behalf of customs and send it onto them.
 
It's product, I've been ordering and having regular deliveries and just like clock work I would go onto the epayments for DHL once it cleared customs and pay by card but on the recent one it states nothing is outstanding but yet has cleared to local sorting office.
 
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You getting import taxes charged, happened with me many years ago.

Not sure what the threshold is but once you go above a certain amount, you get wacked for import charges. I myself was dealing direct with China, DHL tried to wack me for £300. :eek:

I think they still looking for me now! :p
 
To be honest the value of the order coming is pretty high, just over £2000. My usual orders are around £800/£1000 a time, that's why don't really understand why this larger one seems to have gone through without the usual payment prompt to my mobile number or tracking.

I'd set aside the VAT cost, think I'll just leave it for now as most likely get a letter in a couple of weeks!
 
If you've been receiving the parcels in the past and paying up no problem they may have put you on an account now despite it being a fairly large order.

IIRC everything I've received in the past via DHL that had fees to pay were delivered then the letter with information on the tax etc arrived a few weeks later, but that was low value stuff.
 
The problem can be the shipping / billing address from chinese supplier must tie up with your DHL account. I've found this is paramount in getting your C79 certs from HMRC.

I claim all my VAT back but it REALLY annoys me when VAT is not charged to my DHL account as it means I won't automatically get my C79 as evidence of import.
 
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