O/T Import duties on stuff from the States?
Turbo Mini Forums

Hi,
Does anyone know what import duty I'll pay on something from the states? I'm looking at a piggyback ECU for my bike, with the current exchange rate it's half the price in the US.
Cheers,
Gavin :)

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You might be lucky and pay nothing.

You might be unlucky and you'll be charged VAT at the value written on the customs form

You might be VERY unlucky and you'll be charged VAT at the value written on the customs form AND another 10 to 30 pounds for the parcelFarce delivery between the customs office and your address....


I've had ALL THREE in the past.....

is it not VAT and import duty

WWW.FORCE-RACING.CO.UK PLEASE CLICK HERE

i got hit with a VAT charge nearly every time

I've seen the future and tbh its Pie

You can pay VAT and then duty at 10-20% extra!

or as dave says you might be ok and pay nothing.

Thats why the prices I charge for MJ and MS vary from time to time :)

Alex

AlexF

I've had a fair few items from the states/japan and never had anything charged in duty, lucky i guess.

If at all possible get them to put gift or whatever on it.

End of the day you'll pay no more for it than over here, and stand to pay a lot less

If you want to email me about this you can and i will break it down for you.

I do this for a living so have all the duty rates on my desk.

you should tell them its customs commodity code 8471900000 this is duty free and is for other types of computer which is what a ECU is classed as.

you WILL have to pay vat and that is 17.5% of declared price PLUS vat on any carriage you may have not yet paid.

hope that helps but you can email me at
davidevans@daviesturner.co.uk if you need any help.

Dev

TurboDave said

"Fab's right of course.

Maybe you should take your styling ideas off the French instead! "

The gift thing worked for me about a week ago...

I was very surprised at that - given the item in question aswell!!!

If and it is a big if you risk the gift route be prepared for a major bumming off customs if you get caught. esp. with all the extra security at the minute.

as i said i am more than willing to advise/help you all get things into the country i'm just not gonna risk a visit from customs by declaring it as "gifts" but there are ways and means (TD you'll love this)

dev

TurboDave said

"Fab's right of course.

Maybe you should take your styling ideas off the French instead! "

Dev fella - em your moby number over here...

I recently imported a load of parts for Digikey and like you I had to pay the import duty, whilst I am not a fan of Gordon Brown, I accept that import duty is a legal requirement.

However I challenged the courier fees on the grounds that I had not asked the courier to pay the duty for me, I had not been made aware that they where going to pay the duty, I had not even been told who the courier was so I could not agree to their terms and conditions in advance. As far as I was concerned I had no contractual agreement with the courier, and therefore I had no obligation to pay them a penny.

The courier happily accepted this and the items arrived without delay.

The only risk I see to this is if the courier gets arsey (ignore the technical term) however I believe withholding someone's possessions whilst demanding payment for work that wasn't agreed, is extortion, which is illegal.

Note I haven't confirmed this approach with anyone in the legal profession, it is purely my understanding of contract law.

i am getting some bits from the states, i have a friend in the american air force she gets free shipping with no duty

Wolfie - she using the works postal service?? tut tut

TurboDave said

"Fab's right of course.

Maybe you should take your styling ideas off the French instead! "

I would say that if i told you i would have to kill you

but as shes in USAF she can do it with friendly fire

i bought some darts from the states, they cost me £52 delivered.

they didnt have gift or anything on them, and i didnt get charged any import duty.

If she did it with friendly fire you would be dead pal!!

ANyway about this importing stuff i have said it before and i'll say it again i will help any of you get anything through customs. just pm me.

but please dont miss declare your goods to customs, they can search your home with out a warrant.

they are more powerful than you can possibly imagine.

Can you comendeer a tank for example??

Sorry if i sound a bit soap boxish but i am just trying to keep you safe from the rubber glove!

Dev

TurboDave said

"Fab's right of course.

Maybe you should take your styling ideas off the French instead! "