Question around customs & import duty

Maccy · 9 Jan 2018 at 16:42

So I stupidly left my Bose headphones in the US, thankfully I've got family over there who can post them back to me. However I then wondered if they would be subject to any import charges, despite me purchasing them in the UK (and paying VAT on them) before taking them abroad with me.

Does anyone know if they'd be subject to any charges, despite me already owning them? And is there a way to avoid any charges? I'm not suggesting fraud, but don't want to be conned/ripped off for getting back something that is already mine!

robfosters · 9 Jan 2018 at 16:47

Assuming you have proof of purchase in the UK, then no you won’t have to pay any charges.

https://www.gov.uk/goods-sent-from-abroad

memyselfandi · 10 Jan 2018 at 10:12

You may find that you are charged at time of importation but then can claim that back from HMRC with your UK proof of purchase.

Avenged7Fold · 10 Jan 2018 at 10:47

Hypothetically, would you be troubled if you sent it declaring it as returned after an RMA repair/replacement during the warranty period?

It is not like an additional transaction has taken place and the duty has presumably been paid when first imported to the country prior to the initial sale.

If only you had some sort of tech/PC company that you affiliate with to add credibility and legitimize your return...

Lopéz · 10 Jan 2018 at 16:34

You don't pay duty on things that you already own, no commercial transaction is taking place.

Avenged7Fold · 10 Jan 2018 at 16:56

Lopéz said:
You don't pay duty on things that you already own, no commercial transaction is taking place.

While that is true, items sent can sometimes be stopped and held if you do not declare it as personal belongings. Above a certain value, they may require additional paperwork to be filled out and items such as expensive electronics can end up being held until you clarify they are personal possessions with the required form.

Regardless of whether you need to pay duty or not, correctly declaring the items will stop them being held at the airport most of the time.

If i were maccy, i would just ship it with the correct form you can get from an international courier, detailing what it is and that you are just moving a personal possession.