Argiebaji
Junior Member
Posts • 3,012
Likes • 1,181
June 2008
|
Hit by VAT import bill..., by Argiebaji on Apr 25, 2009 12:00:58 GMT 1, Received a letter from parcel Force today claiming £33.13 VAT on a print being sent to me from the USA...... 
I have been sent many prints from the USA before and never had to pay VAT like this....
I was wondering.........
Has anyone else had a similar situation to this?
Is there any way round it this time?
Is there any way round it for future print purchases from the US?
Received a letter from parcel Force today claiming £33.13 VAT on a print being sent to me from the USA...... I have been sent many prints from the USA before and never had to pay VAT like this.... I was wondering......... Has anyone else had a similar situation to this? Is there any way round it this time? Is there any way round it for future print purchases from the US? |
|
|
|
Hit by VAT import bill..., by wiz on Apr 25, 2009 12:05:26 GMT 1, Sometimes my import duty bill has been less than i expected and sometimes more, swings and roundabouts i reckon but i always assume i will have to pay something. What value was the print? was it valued at its true cost?.
Sometimes my import duty bill has been less than i expected and sometimes more, swings and roundabouts i reckon but i always assume i will have to pay something. What value was the print? was it valued at its true cost?.
|
|
Argiebaji
Junior Member
Posts • 3,012
Likes • 1,181
June 2008
|
Hit by VAT import bill..., by Argiebaji on Apr 25, 2009 12:43:45 GMT 1, The print was £170......the mystery is that the person that sent it has said that she didn't put the price of the print on the outside of the tube.....
...it sounds as though I have got lucky in the past then...
The print was £170......the mystery is that the person that sent it has said that she didn't put the price of the print on the outside of the tube.....
...it sounds as though I have got lucky in the past then...
|
|
bullet
Blank Rank
Posts • 0
Likes • 16
January 2013
|
Hit by VAT import bill..., by bullet on Apr 25, 2009 12:54:54 GMT 1, if it was marked as a gift it should be fine.
if it was sent insured you will be hit as well
if it was marked as a gift it should be fine.
if it was sent insured you will be hit as well
|
|
Deleted
Posts • 0
Likes •
January 1970
|
Hit by VAT import bill..., by Deleted on Apr 25, 2009 13:06:52 GMT 1, The print was £170......the mystery is that the person that sent it has said that she didn't put the price of the print on the outside of the tube..... ...it sounds as though I have got lucky in the past then...
unlucky, you should only pay 5% but you will have to write a letter to claim the overpayment (well did) and the bloody Royal mail fee:(
I think they work out if you pay duty from the value of the item and the shipping/postage and insurance costs, if it's a signed for item then they tend to catch you, unless you ask the seller to make it as a gift, with a description as print matter and total value of $10, try and get them to post it standard service too, it works for me
i hate being stung.
The print was £170......the mystery is that the person that sent it has said that she didn't put the price of the print on the outside of the tube..... ...it sounds as though I have got lucky in the past then... unlucky, you should only pay 5% but you will have to write a letter to claim the overpayment (well did) and the bloody Royal mail fee:( I think they work out if you pay duty from the value of the item and the shipping/postage and insurance costs, if it's a signed for item then they tend to catch you, unless you ask the seller to make it as a gift, with a description as print matter and total value of $10, try and get them to post it standard service too, it works for me i hate being stung. |
|
curiousgeorge
Junior Member
Posts • 5,833
Likes • 1,091
March 2007
|
Hit by VAT import bill..., by curiousgeorge on Apr 25, 2009 15:22:04 GMT 1, 5% only applies to original works of Art, I've always found them a bit hit and miss in regards to accuracy, but when you can prove they are wrong they WILL put things right.Just takes an age for them to resolve things.
I threw a spanner in the works once by questioning paying VAT on prints shipped from the States, that had been printed in the UK and already had VAT applied at source. I was correct they were wrong, but again you need paperwork to prove your case
5% only applies to original works of Art, I've always found them a bit hit and miss in regards to accuracy, but when you can prove they are wrong they WILL put things right.Just takes an age for them to resolve things.
I threw a spanner in the works once by questioning paying VAT on prints shipped from the States, that had been printed in the UK and already had VAT applied at source. I was correct they were wrong, but again you need paperwork to prove your case
|
|
|
|
|
|
Hit by VAT import bill..., by bigwilly on Apr 25, 2009 15:27:12 GMT 1, so always mark as a gift when shipping to the UK?
so always mark as a gift when shipping to the UK?
|
|
etched
Junior Member
Posts • 2,300
Likes • 68
February 2008
|
Hit by VAT import bill..., by etched on Apr 25, 2009 15:49:15 GMT 1, so always mark as a gift when shipping to the UK?
yes - gift or low value if declared -
so always mark as a gift when shipping to the UK? yes - gift or low value if declared - |
|
|
|
|
|
Hit by VAT import bill..., by cashman on Apr 25, 2009 16:54:39 GMT 1, I just got charged £166 import fees on a $600 print...I now have the lengthy process of trying to get my money back
I just got charged £166 import fees on a $600 print...I now have the lengthy process of trying to get my money back |
|
Martin M
New Member
Posts • 478
Likes • 671
February 2009
|
Hit by VAT import bill..., by Martin M on Apr 25, 2009 17:25:14 GMT 1, Hi, I got hit with £92.00 for a £200 David Choe bought on Ebay, bit of a shock!, i think it is very hit and miss. I have bought Faile prints for $1500 from Faile and not had any charge, i think it depends on whats the sender puts on the label, Faile just wrote $20 value on the box, maybe a little risky if the print gets lost, but i was dreading the VAT bill!
Hi, I got hit with £92.00 for a £200 David Choe bought on Ebay, bit of a shock!, i think it is very hit and miss. I have bought Faile prints for $1500 from Faile and not had any charge, i think it depends on whats the sender puts on the label, Faile just wrote $20 value on the box, maybe a little risky if the print gets lost, but i was dreading the VAT bill!
|
|
Argiebaji
Junior Member
Posts • 3,012
Likes • 1,181
June 2008
|
Hit by VAT import bill..., by Argiebaji on Apr 25, 2009 17:26:22 GMT 1, I just got charged £166 import fees on a $600 print...I now have the lengthy process of trying to get my money back
Tough tough luck Cashman......£166!!! puts my £33 VAT bill into perspective.... 
It will however make me think twice about buying from the states in the future...
.....well maybe not.....
Do residents of the States have the same problem with tax issues when us 'Limies' send our prints across the pond to them???
I just got charged £166 import fees on a $600 print...I now have the lengthy process of trying to get my money back Tough tough luck Cashman......£166!!! puts my £33 VAT bill into perspective.... It will however make me think twice about buying from the states in the future... .....well maybe not..... Do residents of the States have the same problem with tax issues when us 'Limies' send our prints across the pond to them??? |
|
|
|
Hit by VAT import bill..., by cashman on Apr 25, 2009 18:16:59 GMT 1, I just got charged £166 import fees on a $600 print...I now have the lengthy process of trying to get my money back Tough tough luck Cashman......£166!!! puts my £33 VAT bill into perspective.... It will however make me think twice about buying from the states in the future... .....well maybe not..... Do residents of the States have the same problem with tax issues when us 'Limies' send our prints across the pond to them???
I have to admit ive passed on a few purchases since then for that very reason
I just got charged £166 import fees on a $600 print...I now have the lengthy process of trying to get my money back Tough tough luck Cashman......£166!!! puts my £33 VAT bill into perspective.... It will however make me think twice about buying from the states in the future... .....well maybe not..... Do residents of the States have the same problem with tax issues when us 'Limies' send our prints across the pond to them??? I have to admit ive passed on a few purchases since then for that very reason |
|
Argiebaji
Junior Member
Posts • 3,012
Likes • 1,181
June 2008
|
Hit by VAT import bill..., by Argiebaji on Apr 25, 2009 20:02:19 GMT 1, For what it's worth I am lodging a complaint & dispute, with customs, regarding how they come up with their VAT amount ...and lack of info and evidence on the initial letter regarding where the VAT amount comes from...It seems to me that they roll the dice a few times and type in the number.....not good enough for me I'm afraid.
If you dont hear from me again I've probably been knocked off by the secret police.....or more likely under the patio....The missus is getting p***ed off with my art addiction...
For what it's worth I am lodging a complaint & dispute, with customs, regarding how they come up with their VAT amount ...and lack of info and evidence on the initial letter regarding where the VAT amount comes from...It seems to me that they roll the dice a few times and type in the number.....not good enough for me I'm afraid.
If you dont hear from me again I've probably been knocked off by the secret police.....or more likely under the patio....The missus is getting p***ed off with my art addiction...
|
|
|
|
bullet
Blank Rank
Posts • 0
Likes • 16
January 2013
|
Hit by VAT import bill..., by bullet on Apr 25, 2009 20:07:53 GMT 1, they will say you pay it and then dispute it, otherwise they will probably misplace your item.
thats unless you have already got it.
for the record, i bought a watch from the us for £180 and the customs charge was the same. There is only about £8 vat and the rest is admin fees. £33 is not much to pay to be honest but dispute away, it will probably cost you more time and money in the long run though
they will say you pay it and then dispute it, otherwise they will probably misplace your item.
thats unless you have already got it.
for the record, i bought a watch from the us for £180 and the customs charge was the same. There is only about £8 vat and the rest is admin fees. £33 is not much to pay to be honest but dispute away, it will probably cost you more time and money in the long run though
|
|
|
|
Hit by VAT import bill..., by manchestermike on Apr 25, 2009 21:30:42 GMT 1, They're getting very tough on the "gift" labelling now
They're getting very tough on the "gift" labelling now
|
|
Deleted
Posts • 0
Likes •
January 1970
|
Hit by VAT import bill..., by Deleted on Apr 26, 2009 1:27:53 GMT 1, As Ross posted the link
2.4 Gifts
Goods sent as a gift are not free of import duties and import VAT. However, customs duty will not be collected if the amount is less than £7, and import VAT is not chargeable if:
* the value of the gift does not exceed £36
* the customs declaration is completed correctly
* the gift has been sent from a private person outside the EU to a private person(s) in this country
* the gift is for the use of either yourself or your family
* there is no commercial or trade element and the gift has not been paid for either directly or indirectly
* the gift is of an occasional nature only eg for a birthday or anniversary.
Please note the purchase of goods from outside the EU to give as a gift to a relative or friend, whether or not addressed to that person, is treated as a ‘commercial consignment’ for which the import VAT relief threshold is £18 (paragraph 2.3 refers).
As Ross posted the link
2.4 Gifts
Goods sent as a gift are not free of import duties and import VAT. However, customs duty will not be collected if the amount is less than £7, and import VAT is not chargeable if:
* the value of the gift does not exceed £36
* the customs declaration is completed correctly
* the gift has been sent from a private person outside the EU to a private person(s) in this country
* the gift is for the use of either yourself or your family
* there is no commercial or trade element and the gift has not been paid for either directly or indirectly
* the gift is of an occasional nature only eg for a birthday or anniversary.
Please note the purchase of goods from outside the EU to give as a gift to a relative or friend, whether or not addressed to that person, is treated as a ‘commercial consignment’ for which the import VAT relief threshold is £18 (paragraph 2.3 refers).
|
|
Heavyconsumer
Junior Member
Posts • 4,974
Likes • 5
February 2008
|
Hit by VAT import bill..., by Heavyconsumer on Apr 26, 2009 4:39:58 GMT 1, The amounts can vary because each shipping SP has their own processing fees. It's also worth noting that art produced in the UK (even giclees and lithos) which is then sold by galleries outside the UK and shipped back, is also taxable at the reduced rate of 5% (according to Randall Scott - and to be fair to him I was billed at that rate for the products he sent me).
whether the amount was written on the tube may be irrelevant if the piece was insured adequately, because the value for insurance will be on the paperwork.
I once tried to find away around all this, as where we live we pay 60% of value and shipping cost in import taxes!!! This works out extremely expensive and seems like paying double on cheaper items as shipping can cost almost as much as the product! The only way I found was to have it sent without cover and insured independantly, but I ended up spending a bloody fortune on shipping and insurance anyway, making only a tiny saving on paying the taxes!!! Although that may be cheaper for people shipping to the UK (but so are the taxes), as Brazil tends to be a pricier place to send to and insure packages being sent here.
In short, even if it's 15%, it's the law, to just pay it and accept it is your best bet imo otherwise when trying to circumvent it, you may find that you have to sacrifice adequate insurance and the risk is the full value of whatever it is you're buying. It's 5hit, but it's the law! Just be thankful import tax ain't 60% over there!!!  The only real alternative is to say it's worthless, as they aren't likely to inspect the item, but as stated, in the unlikely event that it's damaged or lost, you're screwed! 
The amounts can vary because each shipping SP has their own processing fees. It's also worth noting that art produced in the UK (even giclees and lithos) which is then sold by galleries outside the UK and shipped back, is also taxable at the reduced rate of 5% (according to Randall Scott - and to be fair to him I was billed at that rate for the products he sent me). whether the amount was written on the tube may be irrelevant if the piece was insured adequately, because the value for insurance will be on the paperwork. I once tried to find away around all this, as where we live we pay 60% of value and shipping cost in import taxes!!! This works out extremely expensive and seems like paying double on cheaper items as shipping can cost almost as much as the product! The only way I found was to have it sent without cover and insured independantly, but I ended up spending a bloody fortune on shipping and insurance anyway, making only a tiny saving on paying the taxes!!! Although that may be cheaper for people shipping to the UK (but so are the taxes), as Brazil tends to be a pricier place to send to and insure packages being sent here. In short, even if it's 15%, it's the law, to just pay it and accept it is your best bet imo otherwise when trying to circumvent it, you may find that you have to sacrifice adequate insurance and the risk is the full value of whatever it is you're buying. It's 5hit, but it's the law! Just be thankful import tax ain't 60% over there!!! The only real alternative is to say it's worthless, as they aren't likely to inspect the item, but as stated, in the unlikely event that it's damaged or lost, you're screwed! |
|
Deleted
Posts • 0
Likes •
January 1970
|
Hit by VAT import bill..., by Deleted on Apr 26, 2009 19:58:25 GMT 1, Just paid a £15.02 ransom to ParcelForce - thing is I don't know which print it's for... it's either the Obey Elephant or the new Conor Harrington...
Oh well. the win some, you lose some, but far fewer seem to slip through now.
Just paid a £15.02 ransom to ParcelForce - thing is I don't know which print it's for... it's either the Obey Elephant or the new Conor Harrington...
Oh well. the win some, you lose some, but far fewer seem to slip through now.
|
|
|
|
Hit by VAT import bill..., by veralynn on Apr 26, 2009 20:08:30 GMT 1, This aint advice, but I've had requests from parcelforce before for nominal sums when they've already made delivery and I've sat it out and then waited for them to get 'stroppy'. I ask them for the paperwork that the bill relates to and they generally can't produce it and I'm all done.....
This aint advice, but I've had requests from parcelforce before for nominal sums when they've already made delivery and I've sat it out and then waited for them to get 'stroppy'. I ask them for the paperwork that the bill relates to and they generally can't produce it and I'm all done.....
|
|
|
|
Hit by VAT import bill..., by rosstierney on Apr 26, 2009 23:42:58 GMT 1, Just paid a £15.02 ransom to ParcelForce - thing is I don't know which print it's for... it's either the Obey Elephant or the new Conor Harrington... Oh well. the win some, you lose some, but far fewer seem to slip through now.
i'm pretty confident it will be the elephant
from past experience, shep does uk buyers no favours
Just paid a £15.02 ransom to ParcelForce - thing is I don't know which print it's for... it's either the Obey Elephant or the new Conor Harrington... Oh well. the win some, you lose some, but far fewer seem to slip through now. i'm pretty confident it will be the elephant from past experience, shep does uk buyers no favours |
|
Deleted
Posts • 0
Likes •
January 1970
|
Hit by VAT import bill..., by Deleted on Apr 27, 2009 9:51:34 GMT 1, Just paid a £15.02 ransom to ParcelForce - thing is I don't know which print it's for... it's either the Obey Elephant or the new Conor Harrington... Oh well. the win some, you lose some, but far fewer seem to slip through now. i'm pretty confident it will be the elephant from past experience, shep does uk buyers no favours
Looks like you're spot on Ross. The Conor Harrington arrived this morning. It had sailed through customs.
Just paid a £15.02 ransom to ParcelForce - thing is I don't know which print it's for... it's either the Obey Elephant or the new Conor Harrington... Oh well. the win some, you lose some, but far fewer seem to slip through now. i'm pretty confident it will be the elephant from past experience, shep does uk buyers no favours Looks like you're spot on Ross. The Conor Harrington arrived this morning. It had sailed through customs. |
|
|
|
bullet
Blank Rank
Posts • 0
Likes • 16
January 2013
|
Hit by VAT import bill..., by bullet on Apr 27, 2009 11:07:52 GMT 1, Just paid a £15.02 ransom to ParcelForce - thing is I don't know which print it's for... it's either the Obey Elephant or the new Conor Harrington... Oh well. the win some, you lose some, but far fewer seem to slip through now. i'm pretty confident it will be the elephant from past experience, shep does uk buyers no favours
;D ;D sounds like he sends the out himself ;D ;D
doubt he even touches the print in any form... ;D
Just paid a £15.02 ransom to ParcelForce - thing is I don't know which print it's for... it's either the Obey Elephant or the new Conor Harrington... Oh well. the win some, you lose some, but far fewer seem to slip through now. i'm pretty confident it will be the elephant from past experience, shep does uk buyers no favours ;D ;D sounds like he sends the out himself ;D ;D doubt he even touches the print in any form... ;D |
|
The only real alternative is to say it's worthless, as they aren't likely to inspect the item, but as stated, in the unlikely event that it's damaged or lost, you're screwed! 
📸