Import/ Customs Tax

[Button17]

My daughter really wants to buy a soft toy from USA but I can't work out how much import or customs tax will be. Some places say not until you spend over £39. Does this include postage. Others say over £18. I'm so confused.

Can anyone help please?

[megaflyer]

I bought some TShirts recently from a shop in New York that said no customs tax (was under $39 for sure) but the post office wouldn’t deliver till I paid something online - doubled the price of 2 basic (but different hence I loved them) vest TShirts.

I wont make that mistake again

[SMAX]

The £39 tax free limit is if the items is a gift. This will not apply from a store.

There used to be a limit below £15 that was exempt, but that has now been removed and VAT is due on all items. The carrier will also impose a charge. Royal Mail is £8 plus the VAT on the item. Some carriers charge 2.5% of the value of the item.

litrg.uk/latest-news...hopping-online

[Button17]

Thank you

Not at all confusing then 🤔

So the item in a toy, $29.99, postage is $10.

She'll have to pay 20% of that
Plus £8 to Post Office
Plus possible 2.5% (of what? ) to courier.

No idea then. I'm just too scared we'll be hit with a huge bill.

She's so upset that she can't buy stuff from USA. I 😪

[SMAX]

The 2.5% is if it is a courier like FedEx and not post like Royal Mail. So if it is posted in the US postal system then that will end up Royal Mail and you will pay the £8 plus the VAT on the $39.99 converted to GBP. Yes you pay VAT on the postage/shipping too. (Approx £13.75)

If they send it UPS or FEDEX then you would pay 2.5% of the $39.99 as the service charge and then the 20% VAT on the $39.99 too. There may be a minimum service charge though.

[megaflyer]

Originally Posted by Button17

Thank you

Not at all confusing then 🤔

So the item in a toy, $29.99, postage is $10.

She'll have to pay 20% of that
Plus £8 to Post Office
Plus possible 2.5% (of what? ) to courier.

No idea then. I'm just too scared we'll be hit with a huge bill.

She's so upset that she can't buy stuff from USA. I 😪

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Yep that sounds about right and it can take for ever as you get a card from the PO, pay the fees online then wait for it to be delivered (that added on about a week) as I said for me I wouldn’t bother again . We should be able to travel to the USA again soon (I hope )

[disneypars]

At least Dick Turpin wore a mask.

[15isto2]

Originally Posted by disneypars

At least Dick Turpin wore a mask.

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Everyone should be wearing a mask these days

[400ixl]

The postage is part of the price that makes up the total which is taxable. So take that into account.

[Lizzim]

The last few times I have bought things from the US I have not been charged customs fees etc.