Import Duty / Tax

K.S.H · 09-08-2005, 19:31

Anyone know what the rate is? and what the current allowance is from outside the EC

Sara · 09-08-2005, 19:33

Know it's 200 cigerettes or 50 cigars. Think it's a litre of spirits but not to sure on that.

Sara · 09-08-2005, 19:35

Just found this:

200 cigarettes; or 100 cigarillos; or 50 cigars; or 250 gms of tobacco
2 litres of still table wine
1 litre of spirits or strong liqueurs over 22% volume; or 2 litres of fortified wine, sparkling wine or other liqueurs
60cc/ml of perfume
250cc/ml of toilet water
£145 worth of all other goods including gifts and souvenirs

K.S.H · 09-08-2005, 19:59

Thanks Sara,
What I was actually after is the £145 gifts limit, what do you pay if you go over this?
is it the VAT rate at 17½% on anything over £145?

Margaret Pilkington · 09-08-2005, 20:07

Can you not find out on the Customs and Excise website KSH...?

K.S.H · 09-08-2005, 20:11

Did look but couldn't make head nor tail of it!!

K.S.H · 09-08-2005, 20:23

found it Here

Mik Dickinson · 10-08-2005, 07:39

Well next Tuesday we will be arriving in England with a crate of beer = 20 pints.12 bottles of wine and up to now coming over from Europe i have never paid import tax.If i have paid the V.A.T. over here why should i?

entwisi · 10-08-2005, 08:21

If it is sometihng being posted there is a limit of ~£18 before HM C &E get interetsde. This is why a lot of CD/DVD comanies post them seperately as each one falls under the limit

Sara · 10-08-2005, 18:08

Whatever you're after, just shove it in your suitcase and don't declare it. Just hope for the best. Haven't heard of anyone been stopped at customs in a long time.

K.S.H · 10-08-2005, 18:50

Its going to be a £400 (ish) item, I just wondered what it would cost if I got stopped, then seeing if it is worth buying abroad or here.
Its not being done by post

Sara · 10-08-2005, 20:31

Think you just have to pay the VAT on the item

Roy · 10-08-2005, 21:19

Quote:

Its going to be a £400 (ish) item, I just wondered what it would cost if I got stopped, then seeing if it is worth buying abroad or here.
Its not being done by post

OK, I'm pretty good at this. Obviously make sure that you do not bring whatever it is back in a box or anything. Be ready with the "I brought it out with me" excuse, you nearly always get away with this, as long as its not boxed and not packed with manuals etc. If its camera equipment then do something like bring an old filter and stick it on the end so it looks used.
I have been stopped and searched coming back from non-eu countrys, they do still do it. Your baggage tag will be completely white without green or blue stripes so they know you haven't been in europe, even if your connecting flight came from europe. I nearly got caught with a new laptop just because of the difference between keyboard layouts, I had to blag my way out of that one.

Anyway, the moral of the story is you nearly always get away with it. The amount of stuff I have brought out of and into the coutry is quite unbelieveable, the same with most of my ex-work mates! You have to take advantage in going to countries where they aren't taxed to death!

cashman · 10-08-2005, 22:30

i dont know so much about being STOPPED by customs,when we came back from spain at the end of march,there wasnt ONE customs person to be seen at manchester.mentioned it i think on a earlier thread. so i wouldnt lose any sleep, do as roy says and blag your way thats if anyones presant lol

garinda · 11-08-2005, 00:07

There is no limit on smack, as long as the condom doesn't burst.