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Import charges

kevlightkevlight
edited November 2005 in Chit chat
I am thinking of buying a PSP from Lik-Sang. The price inc P&P is around 160pounds. Does anyone know how much import duty I may have to pay on a package of this value?

When I bought my GP32 from there a year or two ago I got away without paying any but I would like to know what I may be charged.
Post edited by kevlight on

Comments

  • RefrenzRefrenz
    edited November 2005
    You're looking at ?160 plus VAT at 17.5%, which equals ?188. (you get charged import VAT on the Postage costs as well as the goods)

    Add to that total any handling costs the courier/shipping agent slaps on top, plus VAT.

    [ This Message was edited by: Refrenz on 2005-11-02 22:13 ]
  • chaosmongerschaosmongers
    edited November 2005
    I've ordered lots through them before...

    I can suggest is that you get it delivered through a courier service (AFAIK, they use DHL), rather than Royal Mail. The couriers will charge only a very small handling fee, whereas the Post office always seem to charge a lot more. Also, the couriers will invoice you later, after you have received the goods.


    Also, the customs people will charge you VAT on the WHOLE AMOUNT INCLUDING SHIPPING if you use Royal Mail, whereas the couriers will only charge on the goods.





    [ This Message was edited by: chaosmongers on 2005-11-03 01:46 ]
  • SkarpoSkarpo
    edited November 2005
    But what if you were to send it to a friend in the country you are buying from and have him/her forward/send it to you and label it "gift" ??? I mean does it go through customs the same way then?

    Skarpo
    :)
  • chaosmongerschaosmongers
    edited November 2005
    I can't remember the exact amounts, but it's something like...

    18.00 for merchandise and 28.00 for a gift before you start getting charged.

    Just because it's marked as a gift, doesn't mean you can avoid customs charges :(

    (Though of course, you're better off getting them to declare a LOW or even ZERO value - and make sure they don't put a receipt in with it ;)


  • SkarpoSkarpo
    edited November 2005
    Well ... if anyone buys anything from the US and wants to use me as a forwarder then just let me know ... no receipt and no value (seeing as it would be a "gift").

    Skarpo
    :)
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