As of November 1st 2011, the thresholds for Customs fee waivers on goods purchased outside of the EU has changed. I would love to tell you that it has gone up but it hasn't! The limit for goods purchases has been reduced from £18 to £15. Anything over £15 will be liable for Import VAT and goods over £135 will also be liable for Customs duty. The value for gifts remains the same at £40. Please note these values are for goods entering the UK from outside the EU only.
Goods Value*
| Customs Charges applicable |
£0.01 - £15
|
No customs duty
No Import VAT
|
£15.01 - £135
|
No customs duty
Import VAT due
|
≥ £135.01
|
Customs duty due (waived if the calculated amount is less than £9)
Import VAT due
|
*excludes: alcohol, tobacco and fragrances.
So, whether you are ordering nail polishes from Ebay or stocking up on your favourites from the States, it's worth bearing these figures in mind. I have made mistakes before and part of the sting is actually the flat rate the Post Office charge on top of the Import VAT. In many ways it is better if you are going to go over £15 to make the most of it and go large! You will be charged the same handling fee from the Post Office (£8) and the Import VAT is charged at 20% of the value of the goods. When purchasing from some online stores, I believe the Import VAT is already included in the delivery charges. Apparently Nordstrom do this and I suppose this avoids any unwanted surprises.
Happy shopping and remember, don't have nightmares!
There are no links to the HM Revenue & Customs websites in this post. Big brother is already watching me enough!
Great info, thanks!
ReplyDeleteThanks for that. I had that before with a Coastal Scents order, ouch!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the info, Jane. No thanks to the IR though, as if £18 wasn't low enough already. :( I mostly get sellers to mark their packages as gift or they often put a lower value, but now it'll have to be even lower and that might be more difficult. :( I wouldn't actually mind paying the 20% VAT, it's the £8 fee that pisses me off. :S
ReplyDeleteThanks for the info Jane. Really useful to know! x
ReplyDelete@Jamilla Camel: I hope it's useful, even if it isn't great news!
ReplyDelete@Gaelle: Oh no, it's awful when it happens. It often makes something that was a bargain into an expensive purchase!
@Anitacska: I know exactly what you mean. It was hard enough keeping under £18. I'd quite like to pay the VAT without RM taking their cut!!
@Leanne OCD: You're really welcome. I just wish it was better news!
Jane x
Thanks for the heads up. I agree - the VAT is one thing, but the post office really is having a laugh! x
ReplyDeleteThank you for this info, it's so helpful.
ReplyDeleteThank you for this info Jane, I was hoping they would be generous but obviously not.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for this, I was going to place an order over the weekend to come in under 18 - glad I was too busy!! x
ReplyDelete@TBBB: Yes, they seem to be doing quite well out of it!
ReplyDelete@Nazia: You're most welcome.
@Meeta: Sadly no. I'm sure it's in the interest of our economy but it still feels rather miserable.
@S&S: Phew, I'm pleased you were too busy. I meant to post on the 1st then it went out of my mind.
Jane x