when getting free product samples from a company do you have to pay tax importing it?

dvdbunny · 20 Mar 2009 at 12:53

Hey guys,

I am trying to import some products from the USA and the company is sending me some samples for free. But I have to pay the shipping cost. It's coming by air and will be here soon. Do I have to pay import duty and tax on samples or is this free? Do I just tell HMRC that it's for a business and then I get exempt?

The thing is at the moment I have not set the business up and am not VAT registered. I am pretty much a sole trader with an independent business.

Please any help much appreciated

Many thanks in advance

Burnsy2023 · 20 Mar 2009 at 12:55

What business venture is it this time?

How much are the smaples worth?

Jez · 20 Mar 2009 at 12:56

loldvdbunny

dvdbunny · 20 Mar 2009 at 12:57

the samples are worth 700 dollars, the shipping cost is $500 which is all I have to pay.

Burnsy2023 · 20 Mar 2009 at 12:58

What are the samples? Depending what they are depends on the rate of import duty.

Andr3w · 20 Mar 2009 at 13:03

Depends on what it is.

dvdbunny · 20 Mar 2009 at 13:04

Okay so basically I have to pay import duty and there is no way not to pay it?

Neodite · 20 Mar 2009 at 13:06

Why do you not want people to know what you are importing/selling? How do you ever exspect to make money when you are so secret about anything shocks me..

And im sure you will just avoid this question

dvdbunny · 20 Mar 2009 at 13:08

Neodite said:
Why do you not want people to know what you are importing/selling? How do you ever exspect to make money when you are so secret about anything shocks me..

And im sure you will just avoid this question

It's because you guys don't read the question, I am not asking how much tax I will have to pay. I am just asking simply if I will have to pay any tax? If I could pay no tax on a sample that would be best. I believe that's how it was a number of years ago.

Neodite · 20 Mar 2009 at 13:09

But how can you exspect people to let you know that? you could be importing a rocket for all we know, or a ring. who knows, and yes it does matter.

Burnsy2023 · 20 Mar 2009 at 13:10

dvdbunny said:
It's because you guys don't read the question, I am not asking how much tax I will have to pay. I am just asking simply if I will have to pay any tax? If I could pay no tax on a sample that would be best. I believe that's how it was a number of years ago.

And that depends on what the product is. Some products are exempt, most are not. So until you answer my question, I can't answer yours.

DampCat · 20 Mar 2009 at 13:12

Just google the list of items that are exempt from import duty and stop wasting our time.

Andr3w · 20 Mar 2009 at 13:14

dvdbunny said:
It's because you guys don't read the question, I am not asking how much tax I will have to pay. I am just asking simply if I will have to pay any tax? If I could pay no tax on a sample that would be best. I believe that's how it was a number of years ago.

How can we tell you that you will have to pay or not if we don't know what it is?

DampCat · 20 Mar 2009 at 13:16

In fact, why dont you join a young enterprises forum or business forum where you can ask your completely unrelated questions free of mockery and with more helpful responses.

Solari · 20 Mar 2009 at 13:17

Is it 500 pairs of jeans?

Jez · 20 Mar 2009 at 13:17

DampCat said:
In fact, why dont you join a young enterprises forum or business forum where you can ask your completely unrelated questions free of mockery and with more helpful responses.

Because the answers do not even matter, the threads are purely random for attention.

DampCat · 20 Mar 2009 at 13:18

I'm just trying to get rid of him :/

Bennie-Mac · 20 Mar 2009 at 13:25

Lol its always a "product" or an "item" with dvdbunny from a "company" are you an arms dealer?

Vonhelmet · 20 Mar 2009 at 13:25

Probably.

tibbsey · 20 Mar 2009 at 13:28

Welcome back Mr Bunny.

Been a while since your last thread