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

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.

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?

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.

dvdbunny · 20 Mar 2009 at 14:00

okay guys fine it's 5 massive boxes of beef jerky

dvdbunny · 20 Mar 2009 at 14:19

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

I tried a google couldn't find HMRC list of exempt items, could I have a link please? This way I wouldn't have to ask the questions in these forums for the future when I decided importing anything, too bad beef jerky delivery is $500