"VAT charge for UK buyer" Topic

I was stung with a VAT charge of £2.50 GBP when my order from the US passed through UK customs.

Not too bad, but they also added n £8.00 GBP "handling" charge!

The order itself was for about $70 USD and shipped via USPS.

What is the VAT charge and how can I avoid it next time?

It was £15.00 GBP or under and you didn't pay any vat, the £8.00 GBP was the royal mails handling charge.

You can't.

VAT is charged on taxable goods entering the UK from outside the EU. Has been for years and years. Surprised that you were not aware of it, the subject comes up regularly on TMP.

there seems to be US biased/centric approach , everything from the usa sent to me gets this hit and has done so for a year or so . yet all my boxes of trees from china never ever get hit .

Move to America.

Hold a little "Tea Party" of your own.

Of course, some are talking about adding a VAT here as well.

I have ordered many times from the US and never been stung.

They were all books though and this time it was figures

Books are zero rated for VAT on import and when bought in the UK!

--
Martin Stephenson
Vexillia: Wargames Miniatures & Accessories
Shop | Rules | eBay | Twitter

that'll be why then

Yep orders from outside of the EU attract; VAT, customs charges and a charge for charging you the other two charges.

With Brexit, it will be anything from outside of the UK. Enjoy.

£15.00 GBP is the cut- off point. If importer declares it at less, you don't get stung for VAT, plus that ludicrous admin charge by Royal Mail. Above £15.00 GBP it's a bit of a lottery.

First, misdeclaration is an offence, quite serious if caught.

Secondly the Mail charge is actually fair, it is a fixed charge, so £2.00 GBP Vat collected or £20,000.00 GBP Vat collected the collection charge is the same.

Now you want unfair charges for VAT try DHLs

I dont buy from the US anymore for that very reason

With internet and for ex this site you lucky Brits ( because in a small space you get 100s of gamers;)) could group your buyings from elsewhere. It would save a lot.

Computerisation has killed US orders for me im the UK. Because everything is barcoded, scanned and coded you get done every time.

Anything bought from USA in the UK is hit 100% of the time for VAT. I haven't ordered from there for a few years because of this.

I've factored in the VAT and handling charge when ordering from the States. When the exchange rate has been better, the cost of a large order has still been economically worthwhile, especially from one dealer which offers a discount for bulk orders. This might be around £80.00 GBP or £100.00 GBP worth or so, which isn't an enormous order but more than a usual impulse buy.

There have been times, even recently, when a correctly labelled package has been delivered with no handling charge or VAT demand, even when the value should have incurred one.

Buying from the EU means the VAT is paid in the country of sale which avoids the handling charge but the VAT is higher in many states and it does mean that books incur at least some VAT. This is generally lower than the standard rate but only the UK has zero rate on them. (OTOH, e-books have a higher rate of VAT in the UK than many other EU states).