talkmagic.co.uk

Does anyone have any expereince of buying mail order from the states@

I've not done this before and don't know how import duty, VAT etc. works when you purchase online.

I want to buy a Christmas present that's £150ish in the UK but $120 from the states - obviously a fair bit cheaper. What I'm wondering is how HM Customs handle such imports and charge their duty? Do things generally still work out cheaper once they've added their poind of flesh, or with the $15 dollar postage will the prices eventually even out?

Any advice will be appreciated.

I haven't bought from the States - yet. I usually wait until something I want comes out over here as I know that there's less chance of it getting 'lost' and I receive it quicker . Then there is all these extra charges. I'm saving up for some stuff though which I just can't get here. Plus with currency conversion products tend to be a little cheaper as well .

$120 even with $15 postage is that much cheaper, so I would say go for it. As for Customs charging you Tax, that is in my experience with buying from America purely down to chance.

Sometimes they stick it on, sometimes they don't. I have to say more often than not it is not, but always expect it to be added. It's a bit like the spanish inquisition - always expect the unexpected. (although I am sure there was a comfy chair in there somewhere...)

Thanks Bananafish - that's what I was hoping to hear. I they add tax, do you know how they charge it?

I'm not sure off hand at the moment. It always seems like a lot when it happens though, but I reckon it will still work out cheaper than £150...

It depends what you order. e.g. last time I ordered XB from ellusionist and they marked the item as something (forgot now) and that made me have to pay £8 customs tax.

Paying the tax is simple. You receive a card saying you have to pay so much for tax so you just go to post office to do it.

Dunno what you're buying so can't really help you much.

StEvEbO!

It's a piece of silver jewelry so I'm likely to get taxed but can keep my fingers crossed that they'll be overloaded with Xmas post etc. so will only pull the occasional bits out

I was taxed once on a box of frisbees. The initial cost was £100 I think (yeah, I know that's a lot for a box of frisbees) and I had to pay about £40 when it turned up. That was several years ago, but it can still be a lot of money if you happen to get lumped with it.

If you're unlucky enough to get charge, you'll be charged two things, VAT at 17.5% and a "handling charge" which I think is a % of the VAT, but I'm not sure.

Thanks to everyone - I think that I'll go for it and take a chance. I suppose that I've got to get around to doing it at least once

hmm, i wonder if it's cheaper if you got somebody to buy it in the states and ship to it you?

If the US supplier sends it by post then your postman could easily ask you for cash/a cheque to cover duty and VAT before he hands it over. If a carrier delivers it they might do the same thing or they may send an invoice a day or so later. If sent by post, there's usually a small green Customs Form on the parcel which, if the supplier ticks it as a 'Gift' will normally mean that Duty and VAT might not be asked for. Possibly the best thing would be to ask the US suppler what their policy is in this respect. Even if you end up paying, it still sounds less then the UK prices.

Mandrake wrote:If the US supplier sends it by post then your postman could easily ask you for cash/a cheque to cover duty and VAT before he hands it over. If a carrier delivers it they might do the same thing or they may send an invoice a day or so later. If sent by post, there's usually a small green Customs Form on the parcel which, if the supplier ticks it as a 'Gift' will normally mean that Duty and VAT might not be asked for. Possibly the best thing would be to ask the US suppler what their policy is in this respect. Even if you end up paying, it still sounds less then the UK prices.

ugg. confusing... thats why i hate shipping

I buy a lot from the States. Basically it's a lottery. Bigger parcels seem more likely to attract attention. However as long as you have a decent price difference as in this case, you will almost certainly save yourself a good percentage. In my opinion you would be mad not to do it.

I have ordered two things from Ellusionist: My XB DVD with two packs of Vipers got charged about £12 handling fee (including tax), but my three decks of Ghosts didnt get charged.

I have also sent a white gold necklace to my girlfriend who lives in the States and she didnt get charged anything, even though it said Jewellery on the packaging.

One point that im wandering is, 'Is it ok to go over to the States and bring a bit of stuff back with you to avoid the handling and high postage costs?' I hope so because im doing that soon!