Singletrack Forum » Topic: Buying from US to UK import tax

Singletrack Forum » Topic: Buying from US to UK import tax http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/buying-from-us-to-uk-import-tax en-US Wed, 30 May 2012 01:17:46 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 <![CDATA[Search]]> q http://singletrackworld.com/forum/search.php PUGSLEY NUT on "Buying from US to UK import tax" http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/buying-from-us-to-uk-import-tax#post-51513 Thu, 22 Jan 2009 15:19:41 +0000 PUGSLEY NUT 51513@http://singletrackworld.com/forum/ HI seems ive either got to go out there and bring it back in bike bag or pay duty on it , or wait for a second hand frame and hope its not in the states, thanks for all the fead back have some thinking to do, and some maths breatheeasy on "Buying from US to UK import tax" http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/buying-from-us-to-uk-import-tax#post-51160 Thu, 22 Jan 2009 13:50:28 +0000 breatheeasy 51160@http://singletrackworld.com/forum/ Would you really want to risk sending $2000 worth of kit halfway around the world and declaring it's only worth a couple of quid on the form. If it goes missing/broken then you've lost an awful lot of money - the bike firm ain't gonna stump up and send you a new frame, they're just gonna claim compensation off the courier. And why should they risk getting caught and fined just so you can get stuff cheaper - I can see why they'd not want to mark it's value down for you. Stuff I've imported has been cheaper but nothing like a 'bargain'. And if it goes bang then potentially it's not warrantied over here, you might have to send it back to the states. chakaping on "Buying from US to UK import tax" http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/buying-from-us-to-uk-import-tax#post-50879 Thu, 22 Jan 2009 12:35:03 +0000 chakaping 50879@http://singletrackworld.com/forum/ Duty is lower on parts, yes. But as has been suggested above, the bulk of your extra charge will be VAT anyway. I imported a fork when exchange rate was good and the benefit was marginal after charges, certainly wouldn't do it again now. 5thElefant on "Buying from US to UK import tax" http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/buying-from-us-to-uk-import-tax#post-50832 Thu, 22 Jan 2009 12:19:52 +0000 5thElefant 50832@http://singletrackworld.com/forum/ Keep in mind you pay duty/vat on the full value including the shipping cost like this: total cost * 1+duty * 1+VAT So you pay VAT on the duty (so 6% duty plus 15% VAT isn't 21% it's 22%). Doesn't look quite as bad as it did with VAT at 17.5%... sherry on "Buying from US to UK import tax" http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/buying-from-us-to-uk-import-tax#post-50786 Thu, 22 Jan 2009 12:07:18 +0000 sherry 50786@http://singletrackworld.com/forum/ I had a friend who flew to America with a bike bag without a bike in it, just all his hoiliday gear. Bought a bike, done some biking out there and brought it back with no prob. If your going for a holiday in the states its a good idea. Granted you will pay more for the bike bag when flying but it will save you money on tax and import duty in the long run. one_bad_mofo on "Buying from US to UK import tax" http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/buying-from-us-to-uk-import-tax#post-50541 Thu, 22 Jan 2009 10:52:12 +0000 one_bad_mofo 50541@http://singletrackworld.com/forum/ I've done loads of this in the past and import duty on parts is 4.8% and 15% on complete bikes. Don't know why the substantial difference it's just one of those things. Oh and don't use the US Postal Service, ever! aracer on "Buying from US to UK import tax" http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/buying-from-us-to-uk-import-tax#post-50415 Thu, 22 Jan 2009 09:54:56 +0000 aracer 50415@http://singletrackworld.com/forum/ That's assuming you're happy to smuggle it back in, and don't get caught. Daffy on "Buying from US to UK import tax" http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/buying-from-us-to-uk-import-tax#post-50397 Thu, 22 Jan 2009 09:45:11 +0000 Daffy 50397@http://singletrackworld.com/forum/ If you're buying a frame and fork from who Stu thinks you are, I'd fly out and collect it. £300 airfair is better than £750-£1000 tax. Daffy on "Buying from US to UK import tax" http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/buying-from-us-to-uk-import-tax#post-50392 Thu, 22 Jan 2009 09:42:48 +0000 Daffy 50392@http://singletrackworld.com/forum/ Gte the seller to mark the item as a warranty replacement and it should come through with zero customs charges Also VAT is less now so it's only 15% + 4-5% handling. singlespeedstu on "Buying from US to UK import tax" http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/buying-from-us-to-uk-import-tax#post-50323 Thu, 22 Jan 2009 08:40:02 +0000 singlespeedstu 50323@http://singletrackworld.com/forum/ If you're buying the frame and fork from who I think you are you'll end up paying the tax on it. I went down this route and he won't put lower values or anything like that on the import document. Just bite the bullet and pay the tax. nickc on "Buying from US to UK import tax" http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/buying-from-us-to-uk-import-tax#post-50274 Thu, 22 Jan 2009 02:32:26 +0000 nickc 50274@http://singletrackworld.com/forum/ Sorry for duff post. antigee on "Buying from US to UK import tax" http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/buying-from-us-to-uk-import-tax#post-50193 Thu, 22 Jan 2009 00:38:51 +0000 antigee 50193@http://singletrackworld.com/forum/ <blockquote>Bicycle frame $1.00 </blockquote> well that's wot its worth innit know a guy paid more than it costs for a car for a new bike - that's one without a motor - guess wot! no f'ing pedals! used to do warranty stuff / technical investigations sometimes customs got interested most of the time accepted it think if you screw around with the value it still helps to get the shipping invoice to be correctly coded - there are things called commodity codes or try google TARIC database - these should be quoted on the invoice or whoever does the customs clearance will guess it - so on parts you might get coded as a full bike and pay more or it might just get a random guess bonesetter on "Buying from US to UK import tax" http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/buying-from-us-to-uk-import-tax#post-50086 Wed, 21 Jan 2009 23:42:42 +0000 bonesetter 50086@http://singletrackworld.com/forum/ It didn't mention warranty replacement on it. I'm not being argumentative, but the only info on it was what I said. Bicycle frame $1.00 Stoner on "Buying from US to UK import tax" http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/buying-from-us-to-uk-import-tax#post-50077 Wed, 21 Jan 2009 23:41:21 +0000 Stoner 50077@http://singletrackworld.com/forum/ JohnC - the VAT (15%) is the same on just about everything, it's the duty rate that changes. Parts are 4%, no idea what built bikes are Im afraid... aracer on "Buying from US to UK import tax" http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/buying-from-us-to-uk-import-tax#post-50065 Wed, 21 Jan 2009 23:37:17 +0000 aracer 50065@http://singletrackworld.com/forum/ Though if it was a warranty replacement, arguably its customs value was actually $0 - that sounds totally legit, unlike what others are proposing. Ratfighter - you were charged correctly, as you pay full taxes on a gift once it is more than £36. The only difference is that with a non-gift you start paying taxes at £18 value. bonesetter on "Buying from US to UK import tax" http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/buying-from-us-to-uk-import-tax#post-50033 Wed, 21 Jan 2009 23:27:59 +0000 bonesetter 50033@http://singletrackworld.com/forum/ I had a $1600 brand new warranty replacement frame come through without charge. I kept the FedEx waybill and am looking at it now. It describes a bicycle frame with a value for customs of $1.00 JohnClimber on "Buying from US to UK import tax" http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/buying-from-us-to-uk-import-tax#post-49998 Wed, 21 Jan 2009 23:16:54 +0000 JohnClimber 49998@http://singletrackworld.com/forum/ Less VAT on bike parts. Why not ask them to strip it down and send it over in 2 boxes a week apart? Ratfighter on "Buying from US to UK import tax" http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/buying-from-us-to-uk-import-tax#post-49790 Wed, 21 Jan 2009 22:15:42 +0000 Ratfighter 49790@http://singletrackworld.com/forum/ Nick, that's not correct, its the same VAT. I even got charged 22.5% on a GIFT last time. I suppose they based this on the liklihood of anyone actually getting a $500 gift and they even charged the postage an additional 22.5% total price including Vat & customs charges lifted a $500 bow to $700 Stoner on "Buying from US to UK import tax" http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/buying-from-us-to-uk-import-tax#post-49778 Wed, 21 Jan 2009 22:12:33 +0000 Stoner 49778@http://singletrackworld.com/forum/ s/h or used makes no difference. Tax and Duty is applied to value regardless of "price" or whether it's shop bought etc. Ratfighter on "Buying from US to UK import tax" http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/buying-from-us-to-uk-import-tax#post-49775 Wed, 21 Jan 2009 22:11:58 +0000 Ratfighter 49775@http://singletrackworld.com/forum/ Makes no difference at all. Even posting your own property from the states involves 22.5% vat and handling charges. I used to buy a lot of archery equipmant from the states, it was rare you were charged anything. These days NOTHING gets past them