How much will customs be ?

**Bee happy** · 17 May 19, 06:15 AM

Morning all
I've just ordered a wig for my daughters American girl doll, cost $15.00 (shipping was around $15.00 on top).
What will I get charged in customs ?
Many thanks

scooby99 · 17 May 19, 08:13 AM

Have a look at the Gov.uk site for custom duties; it explains the limits & fees etc.

Beth_Disney · 17 May 19, 08:35 AM

You may also get charged a handling fee by the UK delivery company for them processing the customs charge. I think Royal Mail charge a standard fee of �8!

Jakey Neverland · 17 May 19, 08:50 AM

Yes its the RM handling fee that really bumps up smaller items.

ERICSMUM · 17 May 19, 08:58 AM

Apologies yet again for such a long reply - sounds like an essay for a tax & finance exam 😱

From memory items valued more than �15 or equiv are subject to VAT. The threshold for import duty is over �100 (I think). If the item is marked as �gift� on the customs form I think it�s exempt for upto about �40.

The cost of your item $15.99 is under �15 but when you add the postage costs this will bring it into the VAT range. Plus the fee levied by Parcel Force or Royal Mail for collecting the VAT from you (for HMRC).

Having said all this, I�ve sent several packages home from Florida holidays and I would say about 60% have been charged. The others did qualify for charges but were let through.

So let�s say your parcel is $30 incl postage, roughly �25. VAT would be �5 plus the fee �8 (might have go up since I last had to pay). Total due �13. Ouch.

Helen J · 17 May 19, 09:22 AM

I've had larger more expensive items, say �60, incur no extra costs at all. But one small parcel, only paid �25 including postage, had additional costs of �15.
There doesn't seem to be a great deal of consistency with regard to customs charges. Hopefully you won't have to pay any.

**Bee happy** · 17 May 19, 12:02 PM

Thanks for the replies, I did Google it and it said around �4.80 I thought it might be more. Oh dear,would have been cheaper to buy a new doll than sort the hair out on old one 😫

ERICSMUM · 17 May 19, 02:07 PM

Originally Posted by Bee happy

Thanks for the replies, I did Google it and it said around �4.80 I thought it might be more. Oh dear,would have been cheaper to buy a new doll than sort the hair out on old one 😫

Plus the �8 charged by ParcelForce. Hopefully your parcel will go through without charge.