Article: Computer Audiophile Pocket Server C.A.P.S. v3 Zuma

[Great Gig]

Jesus, you're wrong. We pay VAT over Price + Shipping Costs. After that, if unlucky, we pay import duty.

Example USB PCie:

$350 + $33 (shipping) = $383. $383 + 22% VAT = $467,26. At a rate of 0.7614 this is 357,17 euro. After this we have the risk to pay additional import duty (12.5 - 20%). We pay in Europe 359 euro. My conclusion is that importing from the USA to Europe is not attractive. I suggest we end this conversation now as it is leading us nowhere :-)

You also have to factor in the £8.00 Royal Mail handling fee if you pay any import VAT/Duty fees. I bought some Steve Hoffman Audio Fidelity discs and bundled 3 together to save on shipping, but this put them over the threshold for Duty (£15.00) - it would have been much cheaper to buy them individually and not pay the duty + PO Admin fees. I also had to drive over to the depot to collect them, as they don't deliver when you have to pay any fees. Its often not a good idea importing goods to the UK from outside the EU.

 

All mail that enters the United Kingdom may be examined by customs, but normally letters, postcards and packets containing only documents or similar forms of correspondence are excluded.

 

If you are receiving a package from overseas (unless it’s from another EU Country), please be aware that it may incur customs charges. Any package assessed by HM Revenue and customs as being liable for customs charges will also incur a Royal Mail handling fee of £8.

 

Any goods imported into the UK over the value of £15 are liable to import VAT. Gifts between private individuals over the value of £40 are also liable for VAT. Please note that with effect from 1 January 2013 the VAT threshold for Gifts will be lowered from £40 to £36. Goods and gifts over these values may also be liable for customs duty. You no longer have to pay customs duty for goods up to the value of £135, however you will still be required to pay import VAT and excise duty where applicable.

 

Please note that these limits do not apply to alcohol and tobacco goods where both excise duty and import VAT may be charged. It is not permitted to send alcohol and tobacco products into the UK from another EU country unless prior arrangements have been made to account for the excise duty.

 

Customs information | Royal Mail Ltd