Buying something for the states, but would like to know...

[Theo]

yeah but they're cracking down on medical shipments too now...pain in the 'a'...

Cracking down as in checking to see whether they're legitimately declared or not? Or cracking down as in just whacking a nice fat Tax bill on the package regardless of whether it's EMLA or Xylocaine?

[MD]

cracking down on seeing if the content really is medical and that they are not prescription drugs without the precription or if the quantity is a legal amount. This has been going on for some time and IMO or customs, putting glasses as medical now will not be a solution and if caught, the % rate could be charged alot higher than standard, besides, mis-declaring is a criminal offence that can carry alsorts of implications for the sender or the recip......

m@

[Theo]

Surely if you are prescribed the glasses by a qualified Optician, and a photocopy of your prescription is shipped with the glasses, that would be completely legal? I would have thought so, anyway.

Optometry (if that's the word for it) is a medical profession, and visual impairment, whether short-sighted, long-sighted, nearly blind or not quite perfect, is a medical condition. That's my view on it, anyway.

You'll have to see what happens, I suppose. I'd guess you might probably need a better reason than "the gligs are are cheaper in American", but I don't know the legalities, and am just commenting with personal experience of receiving medical supplies from America and my own thoughts on it.

Whilst my thoughts should be taken into account, they shouldn't be taken notice of

[aeonf242]

Worth also remembering that a shipment to a company address is more liekly to be picked up that a shipment to a private address.

Even if you're buying privately but having it delivered to where you work.

One guy where I used to work go this camera from the USA then 7 days later got an invoice from Customs...."Whoppee" he said!

[Saracen]

Tax Free Imports are usually 100$ worth in the UK.

The limit on postal imports from outside the UK that qualify as tax-free is 45 Euro's (about £36). If you are bringing in the item personally, then the limit for 'other' goods (i.e. excluding specifically listed items, such as alcohol, cigarettes, etc) is £145. Note that this does not mean the first £145 of anything you bring in, but that the total must be under £145. If you bring in a £1000 laptop, you'll get charged duty and VAT on the £1000, not on £1000-£145.

[Flibb]

3.3 Can I get relief from duty or VAT on any goods? (import from outside EU)

Yes. EC agreements allow relief from charges on certain imported goods if they:

* have an intrinsic value of £18 or less although this particular relief does not include alcohol, tobacco products, perfume or toilet waters which are covered in paragraph 3.4. The intrinsic value is the actual value of the goods excluding postage, packing and other miscellaneous costs;
* are gifts worth £36 or less which comply with the rules shown in paragraph 3.5; or
* are entitled to any other relief, as explained in paragraph 3.7

http://www.hmce.gov.uk/forms/notices/143.htm#P193_12762