Ali Express

[Ags]

1 hour ago, AstroMuni said:

Are there issues with customs and additional (hidden) charges due to customs duty etc.? If there are customs issues who deals with them - aliexpress or the buyer

FedEx sent me a bill today for VAT and import duties - 30% of the original cost.

[MrFreeze]

3 hours ago, AstroMuni said:

Are there issues with customs and additional (hidden) charges due to customs duty etc.? If there are customs issues who deals with them - aliexpress or the buyer

Up until 1st Jan 2021 you would get a card from Royal Mail for items over £15, telling you that there was a customs charge which had to be paid before it could be delivered (they would also add on a not insignificant 'handling fee'). It was a bit of a lottery whether your parcel was 'caught' or not - I had several that had to be paid, and mostly the 'handling fee'  was vastly more than the VAT.

Since then by law UK VAT is paid at point of purchase on any purchase from China under £135 via Aliexpress, Ebay or Amazon. So there should be none of these cards any more. For purchases over £135, VAT and customs duty is payable, which should be collected by Royal Mail as before (along with their 'handling fee').

I have had 3 packages this year from Aliexpress, all VAT paid on purchase, and none of them stopped by Royal Mail/customs. None of them were over £135.

David

[DaveL59]

es unfortunately it can and does happen, in the past for cctv bits I have managed to have them delivered from EU warehouse and avoid charges that way. Sadly not an option these days. I tend to order smaller/lower value blocks now to keep things below threshold as much as poss 😉 

[AstroMuni]

16 hours ago, MrFreeze said:

For purchases over £135, VAT and customs duty is payable, which should be collected by Royal Mail as before (along with their 'handling fee').

So thats the magic figure to watch out for!

[Louis D]

Does anyone know why the UK has a £39 personal importation limit compared the US's $800 daily limit?  It's such a huge disparity that it's hard to believe it exists.

[MrFreeze]

The UK has no such limit.

Prior to 1st Jan 2021 you were allowed anything from the EU with no further charges. From the rest of the world  there was a limit of £15 without incurring VAT or customs duty. Anything between £15 and £135 would be liable for VAT at 20%, and anything over £135 would be liable for VAT and customs duty at a rate dependent on the type of product.

Since 1st January 2021 the EU is treated as any other country, there is no VAT free band at all, and anything from China must have the VAT paid  on purchase.

It has been in the news already that several people have been badly stung for import charges on goods from the EU, that would not have been imposed prior to brexit.

David

[Tiny Clanger]

The UK has a £390 pound limit for things you bring with you in person when returning to the UK

https://www.gov.uk/duty-free-goods/arriving-in-Great-Britain

As far as items sent to the UK goes, gifts of a value less than £39 can be imported duty and VAT free.

You pay VAT on goods if they are gifts worth more than £39, or non gift goods worth more than £15.

You pay customs duty on other items costing over £135 (including P&P & insurance) and possibly excise duty too for certain goods.

https://www.gov.uk/goods-sent-from-abroad/tax-and-duty

or the updated post brexit

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/vat-and-overseas-goods-sold-directly-to-customers-in-the-uk

 

 

[fozzybear]

2 minutes ago, Tiny Clanger said:

You pay VAT on goods if they are gifts worth more than £39, or non gift goods worth more than £15.

this also applies to second hand items so for me buying any astro related items a problem? why a double VAT as it has already been payed when new?

[Tiny Clanger]

1 minute ago, fozzybear said:

this also applies to second hand items so for me buying any astro related items a problem? why a double VAT as it has already been payed when new?

Ask your taxman ! I posted the official government page links about importing in to the UK, I have no idea about the situation n France.

[fozzybear]

12 minutes ago, Tiny Clanger said:

Ask your taxman ! I posted the official government page links about importing in to the UK, I have no idea about the situation n France.

Notice 143: a guide for international post users - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

3.2 Duty charged on used goods

Used goods are still liable to the same duty and VAT charges as new goods. However, this may vary depending on their age and condition.