Customs oldtimer

Sorry but I noticed a typing error in my previous post. Import VAT is 20% not 29% !

This will depend on how you have shipped the items a what value they are. Goods that have a value below £39 will be duty and tax free. Goods between £40 a d £135 will be duty free but subject to VAT @ 29% for most goods. Goods over £135 will be charged duty and VAT . HMRC do not normally directly contact importers for the taxes. If any taxes are due and the goods have been sent by post then the post service will contact the receiver and ask them / someone to pay online . Who pays does not matter. If the goods have come by fast parcel courier then it depends on what was arranged when you dispatched the goods. Again they will usually contact the recipient for payment. Who actually pays does not matter so it is between you and your friend to decide.

Hi An EORI number is your UK importer and export registration number. If you are exporting it is only needed on the UK export declaration . It is needed to export out of the UK . It doesn’t matter where you are exporting to. A GB EORI number is of no interest to any other country including the EU. It is not a customs requirement to include your GB EORI on your invoice but couriers encourage it as they then have the number for use on the export declaration. It’s absolutely no use or interest to your customer.

Hi Erich Hoyt Parcel force will have based their charges based on the description and value of goods advised by the sender. If it is not clear the package contains books then If the package does not have any details of the sender and you don’t know who sent the package then I doubt anyone can tell you. HMRC cannot track your package so you will need to go back to parcel force and query the charges. If you think you have been overcharged then you can make a claim https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/vat-customs-dutyimport-vat-relating-to-imports-by-post-bor286 NB:If goods are subject to VAT at import it applies even if you are not registered for VAT . This puts imports on the same footing as a purchase from a shop.

Hi Laura Curtis There is a duty exemption for any goods whose value is less than £135. It is not specific to imports from the EU. As HMRC Admin has said the VAT is charged on the whole cost of the purchase including postage packaging etc. It may be that the retailer you purchased from has not registered for UK VAT as they should have and therefore not followed the correct procedure and included the UK VAT. That is a separate matter that you could report to the customs fraud line. Each retailer will have its own charging structure so you should always check their specific terms and conditions specifically on customs charges and importantly that they include the UK VAT in their prices. Nor can you assume that you are being charged both the retailers domestic VAT and UK VAT or that the retailer will deduct domestic VAT from the price you see. Some of the overseas retailers may already have different websites for different markets so the domestic VAT will not be included in the price they show. If you think you have been overcharged duty and vat then you can submit a reclaim request to HMRC or raise the issue with the courier who delivered you import. Given the large quantity of imports mistakes can happen. ( I do not work for HMRC so cannot add links)

Hi Brian V DDP is delivered duty paid so that the seller accounts for duties and taxes in the. Country of destination. This would not apply to you as you as the buyer will be paying the duties and taxes. You do not need an EORI as an individual see HMRC guidance https://www.gov.uk/eori To quote directly ‘You do not need an EORI number if you’re moving goods that are for personal use only’ The courier just needs to declare your name and address instead of the EORI . You only need an EORI if you are a business ( including sole traders) You should be able to get a courier to collect the goods from your supplier . You will need to agree all costs with the courier company. I think the comment from talhariaz5193 Aziz is in response to the original post from Joanna Smith.

Hi A UK EORI number is not required if you are a private individual. EORI numbers are used in the EU and UK , Norway isn’t in the EU so don’t use the same systems or legislation. If you use a courier they will usually sort out all the customs formalities at export and import . They will usually deal with paying the taxes to HMRC.You just need to provide them with the information they ask for and sort out how you will reimburse them for taxes and duties. Some use online payments if you are not an account holder. Check with your chosen courier if they can collect from your supplier and perform export requirements for you. There are usually restrictions or complexity when a non resident is wanting to be an exporter .

Hi Joanna Smith What are you waiting to be checked.? HMRC can’t check anything based on the info you have provided. They don’t know who the carrier is when the declaration was made or the declaration reference number. They are suggesting that you should check with the carrier and confirm everything has been paid.

If you bought something from overseas you need to check with them how duties and taxes are to be paid - usually in their T&Cs . Some will say DDP meaning they pay the taxes directly usually to the carrier who in turn pay HMRC. The price you pay will usually include those charges . There are some duty but not vat reliefs for goods below £135. You pay vat on an import just as you would have to if you bought something in a shop . Everything is declared to customs and not released until the charges have been paid or secured by someone. So usually if the parcel has been delivered there is nothing for you to declare to HMRC as that has already been done. There is no difference for personal use or business use except there is no requirement for a private individual to have an EORI.