Import Duty

[mickr]

Hi all can any one tell what import duty one would pay , if purchased from one of the china dealers to here in the UK

with thanks
Mickr

[Sniper47]

Hello Mickr, Many of the China shops will put a lower value for you. Normally it's okay, but recently there was a user who had a problem in Mexico because the value was obviously too low.

It really will depend on how strict your customs office, the value the China shop puts on it and whether or not they'll let it pass if they don't believe it.

What country are you in? Or do all packages headed to UK go through the same customs office?

[mickr]

Hello Mickr, Many of the China shops will put a lower value for you. Normally it's okay, but recently there was a user who had a problem in Mexico because the value was obviously too low.

It really will depend on how strict your customs office, the value the China shop puts on it and whether or not they'll let it pass if they don't believe it.

What country are you in? Or do all packages headed to UK go through the same customs office?

Do not know if they all go through same custom office here in England, suspect it may depend on the courier.

[ReSiStAnCe]

There are a few shops which ship from their european warehouse.
You pay somewhere between $35 and $55 and you're sure that's it.
Customs is always a gamble.. 9 packets go through and the 10th (usually yours) gets picked out ..
Over here in Belgium it's 21% VAT + 2 - 5% import duties, both on the total value (goods AND shipping) + 8 to 15 Euro (depending on the value of the goods) "for presenting the package to customs"
In short: a rip-off

[Bazabaza]

Duty calculator for UK

[Only registered and activated users can see links Click here to register]

[mirandam]

Phones usually get picked out when the seller writes "phone" as the description. The standard european norms for import duty are like this (total value of package, which includes s&h): free import of upto 20€ total value, from 20 to 150€ add the local VAT plus import handling fee, above 150€, add VAT and local import tax plus handling.

Shipments through EMS or any express courier (DHL, UPS etc) get more strictly checked and depending on the country the courier may directly order you to pay the surplus amount.

Best way is shipment through china-post, hongkong-post or singapore post, although lately some seller work with other postal services like swiss or sweden post. It usually takes more time but is safer with regards to customs checks.
Ask the seller explicitly to put a value of US$25 or something like that and a description like media player or mp4 player, this will look less obvious as a lowered value.

[aus9]

Phones usually get picked out when the seller writes "phone" as the description

In Australia we have more generous value thru post of $1000 but items are xrayed no matter what.

The Quarantine person is looking for EU fruit, snails etc
The Customs is looking out for concealment........and
generally has a fair idea that most smart phones do not wholesale for less than A$100.
-----but has a fair idea most retail in Australia under $1000 so must wholesale for less.

If the UK have half decent X-ray operators and need to revenue raise, it won't make a sod of difference what value you place....unless it looks second hand.

If for example, only phone sent no battery in shipment one and a week later just the battery......and seller says returning phone from repair.....it might sound more plausible.....and cost of battery can show true value.

good luck

[Bazabaza]

Even with import duty, Chinese phones are good value for money. How importers get away with ridiculous prices is beyond me.