I'm new to importing goods in to the UK and have a few (probably obvious) questions.
I'm just in the final stages of getting a sample item shipped over from China to the UK by the supplier's courier - DHL apparently. They are sending me a single item: 15kg, item value: $46.00, shipping $153.00.
1) Will I need to speak to Customs before the item arrives to declare it?
2) Do I need to submit any paperwork to Customs before the arrival of the item or should the courier take care of this?
3) When the item arrives in the UK what happens next?
4) When do I get charged for Duty and VAT?
I read somewhere that if the item is marked as a Sample that I could get away with not paying Duty?
You're comments would be greatly appreciated.
Manys thanks,
Mark Brickstock
No, you won't. it's shipped by EXPRESS. ususally the consignees don't need declare to custom. the EXPRESS service will do this.
2) Do I need to submit any paperwork to Customs before the arrival of the item or should the courier take care of this?'
It depends on how much value your supplier declared. if it's higher than certain amount, you should prepare paperwork to your local DHL not to custom. otherwise, you don't need do anything but wait at home.
3) When the item arrives in the UK what happens next?
Your local DHL will delivery the parcel to your door.
4) When do I get charged for Duty and VAT?
it depends on how much value your supplier declared. if it's under the non-duty scope, you don't pay any duty or VAT. otherwise, you should pay both.
Many thanks for the information, much appreciated.
Hi Silaris
For purposes of importing to UK from within and outwith the EU
Try this site for all sorts of good imformation and links etc ,relevant to importing / taxes / vat / taric codes and so on.
But please note ,this is not the official UK Gov site .It is simply a good starting point ,with plenty of links to the official sites.
http://www.sloanefox.freeserve.co.uk/index.htm
Good luck
regards
eutrade
Silaris
I should maybe have highlighted the following within my reply to your post .
Having your parcel marked as "sample " by the sender makes NO difference whatsoever to UK customs .You might be lucky and your parcel might pass through customs unchecked .
However ,If the parcel is stopped /opened by customs personnel and they decide that duty is payable ,then YOU as the recipient will be the one that will be billed for any payment .
If it is opened /checked , You will be billed for vat if the contents are a vat chargeable item + any import duties % .Again ,if the item has import duties % levied on it . Check TARIC classifications on this .
If total import duties due is less than ,I think , 7.00 GBP then the duties % is waived .
regards
eutrade