S4: Import duty to UK
Hello DJTT, I have been searching on ebay and found that if i have an s4 shipped over from the US, i pay considerably less compared to buying over here. I was wondering, what is the import duty/VAT payable on this item? Should i just pay more and not have any hassle with HMRC?
TIA, lex
I thought about going down that route but buy the time you’ve paid tax on it, it would be easier and quicker to get it from a UK supplier, Can’t remember what the tax was but I think with shipping and tax I was looking at paying about £680
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Well the U.S economy is struggling so exchange rates are very favourable. You are also in a strong position to negotiate as suppliers want your cash (many to choose from in the U.S). Perhaps if you had a chat with one they may be able to ship it in a way that would wave or reduce import tax. Not sure on the legality but a thought to ponder.
Declaring a lower value is certainly illegal. It also undermines postal insurance, so if something goes wrong there you’ll have problems (i.e. you can’t declare that the S4 is worth $25 and then try and claim for a lost package worth $600). Tagging as a gift only works for items worth up to £36.
The quick and dirty method for working out taxes is to add 27% to the total of the items + shipping. Sometimes it works out less than 27%, but at least it prepares you for a ballpark figure. Smaller items sent via USPS sometimes slip through without being taxed. But items sent via the main couriers (like UPS or whoever) will generally get charged the full amount.
Remember that courier companies also charge an additional handling fee to the receiver before they’ll deliver, to cover the process of taking your delivery through customs and the resulting paperwork. Often this is more expensive than the extra tax!
So it’s
(item + postage)
Yeah i imagined it wasn’t strictly legal and would be done at the suppliers discretion. They would be breaking the law though, not the customer. If it does get lost in transit then ther is no chance of claiming the true cost agreed and very questionable if it’s worth the risk. I still think there’s a bargain to be had for U.K buyers at this present time though. For example, fleabay MC6000 £400 or make offer. Lets say £100 charges and £50 for shipping. New Denon for £550. I’m sure there are plenty of suppliers willing to provide similar deals on the S4.
Thank you all for your help with this, and i think i may just go with the american option.. at least in a month or so. The outlook for usd/gbp seems that the dollar will devalue even more, with china now planning to force america to address its structural debt problems and the US planning to just print more money the only way is down… :?
I would only buy from the country where I am from that way the warranty is valid. From outside of your country warranties are not valid. Worth just buying from UK. Especially on an item such as S4.
NI will honor warranty claims worldwide when you buy from us. We are an authorized dealer.
lol - I can’t really see that - but yeah the dollar is weak atm - a brand new xone dx is only £275 :eek:
Would like too see how this one goes for you as I’m a broke student in the UK and am always keen on saving my self some money…