Importing something from the US

[steve threlfall]

Im thinking of buying a watch from the states. If i get charged import tax am i right in assuming this will be 17.5%?

[kalniel]

Possibly + custom duty as well (think it was something like 7 pounds, but would need to check).

[BUFF]

Customs duty if any at applicable rate
VAT @17.5%
handling charge for collecting the above from the carrier usually £7-10

[Knoxville]

Im thinking of buying a watch from the states. If i get charged import tax am i right in assuming this will be 17.5%?

Closer to 20% dude, thats just the V.A.T you have to add a few percent for the import duty.

[Areku]

Can you not ask them to mark the package as "gift"? If im correct I think you wont get charged import tax (custom duty)

Saying that I just recently had a large package come from the states and didnt get the postman begging for money.

[Bluecube]

Courier companies seem to be very good at collecting tax money for the government. If you get it delivered via normal post then you might get away with it. Import tax varies depending on the article you're importing. The Customs and Excise (or Revenue and Customs as they seem to be called these days) website has some info IF you can find it.

[BUFF]

Can you not ask them to mark the package as "gift"?

iirc the "gift" limit is only £36 anyway...
Had a quick look & it looks to me that duty on watches is 4.5% & then there will be VAT on that total plus the fee from the carrier for administrating it.

[steve threlfall]

Thanks for the information everyone. I did have a look on the customs website but i couldnt find what i needed there. Even with the extra charges the watch will still be far cheaper than if i had bought it over here

[Shmee150]

There is an official list on the official website outlining the various additional duty required on different items.

You work it out by finding out the additional %, varying from 0% to 40% depending on the item, and then add VAT onto the total figure you get.

Kinda rediculous I know!

ShMeE