Matteeboy

What's the score with import duty? Always got through in the past (G Shock watch and a few other lowish value small items) but this is an RC car so unlikely to be missed.

Not too worried about paying (although it will be a bit annoying - is it 3.5% of the value ex postage and VAT on top?) but will be irritated if it's held back for ages.

Anyone know any more than me?

TopBanana

From outside the EU?

Snazy

You have the charging method just about right mate.
That said, its gonna depend on how its been declared, sent as what exactly, and a big chunk of luck.

I got a 156cm Dakine snowboard bag stuffed with a board, 2 pairs of boots, 2 sets of bindings, 2 686 outfits and more.... and was untouched by customs.

Pot luck a lot of the time.

Matteeboy

Yep - from Oz.

Nurse Gladys

Have bought loads of things from the US.

Mainly lagre boxes of shoes (box is big enough to hold 30 pairs of shoes!) Out of more than a dozen only one has ever been picked on by customs.

Got a letter advising me what / how to pay - but do it quick because a couple of days later got a letter saying it would be destroyed / returned to sender if not paid!

The box that was picked up was part of an order of 4 that were shipped at the same time.

Basically it seems to be a lottery!

Good Luck!

Matteeboy

Will cross my fingers! Unfortunately one item is a lithium polymer 11.1v battery pack which have a rather alarming tendency to explode randomly!

Snazy

If they are being shipped by correct methods, a dangerous goods item is likely to get flagged.

Main thing that causes a flag is coming from a company.

j4ckos mate

be surprised if its declared,


not all baterries are haz.

EddScott

I think they only tend to explode while charging - although i have no experience with Lipo cell packs.

When I used to get my RC parts from abroad they just used to arrive with a bill to be paid there and then.

I ordered a large item from the states and got a phone call asking me to pay the duty as it arrived in the UK. Highly amusing being asked to pay the duty on my "Gym equipment" - they'd have got more than they bargained for if they opened it

Snazy

lol in our eyes, if it tends to blow up, its considered hazardous
But I know what you mean.

Personally i would not expect something of tiny value to get picked on.

Matteeboy

£30 for that battery - which to me is bloody expensive!!

hux309

You should get away with it id imagine.

I just had some custom earphones impoirted $315 over there but slapped with 15% vat +3.5% and £8.50 parcelforce handling charge.

Irony being if they were marked up as hearing aids id have been charged sod all, and they are quite close to being that.

Simon C

What every you do, don't try and understand the HMRC website!!!

I looked at it earlier to see if it was worth importing a bow press at $400, as their £400 - £550 over here.

I couldn't work a damn thing out!

StudentScooby

Just had a couple of plasma pcb's from canada paid £18ish import tax and £8 parcel force handle fee.

Matteeboy

£45 on something totalling about £120 - surely that's not right?!!
B4stards!

EddScott

Thats harsh. I had to pay £55 on a RC car chassis that came from China - think it was about £180. This was a few years ago though.

Matteeboy

They have charged me 21.85% for VAT and 6.5% for import duty. Have emailed them but as likely to get a reply as I am to suddenly become an avid football fan.