jason4656

i ordered a new mirror from japanparts for my03 sti, customs have got it and want best part of 50 fuking quid to let me have it, it was only about 170, does that sound about right? i know i have been unlucky with it being opened but just wonder if im being bent over or not?

jason4656

btw thats meant to be took my mirror, typo

Poor Guy

sounds about right for this shagged up country!!!

AndyC_772

iTrader: (2)

Sounds a bit steep. Should be handling fees charged by your courier (NOT customs), plus 3.5% duty (or less - the 3.5% rule applies to itens below a certain value provided that it's in your favour, ie. the normal duty rate would actually be higher), then plus VAT on top. Taxes and duty are charged on the complete value of the package including shipping charges.

So, if your mirror is £170, duty and tax work out to £36.74. The courier normally charges about £5 as an admin fee for dealing with customs on your behalf, so that's about £42. If you're being charged much more than that then it may be worth querying, otherwise it's about right.

Only items worth less than £18 get through untaxed, I'm afraid.

ajm

Have they asked for receipts to prove the value yet?

Diesel

For bigger things if you go to buy abroad, you effectively get a free holiday and the smug self satisfaction that you are screwing the government for a change, instead of the other way 'round.

My new camera is en route from the 'States [unboxed & in a friends bag for half the UK cost]. One up for the little guy...

jason4656

i think andy c is spot on, oh well

Mog

Don't customs charge you for opening a parcel and taking a look as well.

Mog

wrx

So if I buy a $850 dvd recorder from the states how do I get it through customes without paying the tax?

fast bloke

say you took it with you when you went on holidays

Diesel

Get a a receipt for a $199 DVD player or just blag it in the bag...

12LEE

Now, I dislike this government and certainly feel that I'm do not get value from its public spending, but, playing devil's advocate, I find it funny how:

• we have a thread in which people are talking about evading (note - evading, not avoiding) VAT by smuggling goods into the UK
• we have threads complaining about the level of taxation on the motorist
• we have threads complaining about the high cost of insurance to subsidise the industry's costs of uninsured drivers

What goes around, comes around.

Markus

I think you might get away with it if you say it's a gift for someone, not totally sure though.

V45DSM

Open the box up, tear all the plastic, dog-ear any paperwork, uncoil any leads, put the batteries in the remote. Write out a recipt and tell them you bought it second hand. Failing that tell them there's a bomb in it.

midget1500

intruiged about the "2nd hand" comment I just checked the customs website - you still have to pay VAT on used goods imported i guess the logic being that VAT was never paid on it.

3.2 Do I have to pay duty or VAT on goods sent to me from outside the EC?
Most goods arriving in the UK from outside the EC are liable to any or all of these charges:

Customs Duty;
Excise Duty; and
VAT.
These must be paid whether:

you purchase the goods or receive them as a gift;
the goods are new or used; or
the goods are for your private use or for sale.

Crapaud62

OR,

Get the goods sent to someone in the Channel Islands who could easily bring them into the UK for you next time they come over.

Not that I would ever condone tax evasion in any way (unless there was something in it for me of course).

jason4656

best way about that is simple

open box, lose all packaging, untangle wires, tell them u bought it here and took it with you, no one will question that for sure, **** customs, yes i talk about evading them as the whole country is a joke, i dont complain about insurance although i feel i should lol!!

[Edited by jason4656 - 1/31/2004 10:56:41 PM]

Diesel

Can it mr 'evasion'! I feel like Robin Hood not a crim! If you are perfectly happy to pay 90% more for a bl00dy Japanese camera than an American, fine! Cough up some more out of your taxed 'take home' and vainly hope to support the public services further! I however feel I pay enough tax already - particularly via the tax on my insurance premium. A masterstroke that and just what we need to encourage the less well off to get insurance!

This country is too dumb to rationalise tax on booze and **** and loose billions to the cross channel ferry hoppers. Bonkers - especially when it puts dodgy Diesel (ohh and the fuel!) in perspective

jason4656

each to their own, everyone knows the risks and laws, do wtf you want, no point ranting on about it on here is there...