Anyone in UK imported from USA ?

[nigelUK]

Just wondered how risky and expensive it is ?

Went on a website and it seems maximum import duty is only 68p ? But you have to pay 20% VAT on top. Can the seller (if a bona-fide business) deduct the US VAT to compensate for the VAT due by UK customs ?

Anyone help would be great thanks in advance

[arcadelt]

There is no federal VAT in the US. Most States have sales tax that they usually levy only on residents, so your US purchase should be tax free from the US end.

[MorningTundra]

Used or new? US sales tax shouldn't apply. There shouldn't be any U.K. Customs duty on a used item. (?)


Sent from my cracked, broken, hand wound Phone

[Nairn1980]

Originally Posted by MorningTundra

Used or new? US sales tax shouldn't apply. There shouldn't be any U.K. Customs duty on a used item. (?)


Sent from my cracked, broken, hand wound Phone

I would be pretty certain UK will still want their VAT, whether it's a brand new watch or not. Customs UK limit for purchases is only £390.

[nigelUK]

and find out what their costs were . .


Thanks for input so far

[Winnie Bloo]

Originally Posted by nigelUK

and find out what their costs were . .


Thanks for input so far

To get the precise answer you require contact UK customs for peace of mind.

There will be many answers, however at least you will know what you COULD
expect after contacting customs.

Good luck.

[Devildog]

Originally Posted by nigelUK

Just wondered how risky and expensive it is ?

Went on a website and it seems maximum import duty is only 68p ? But you have to pay 20% VAT on top. Can the seller (if a bona-fide business) deduct the US VAT to compensate for the VAT due by UK customs ?

Anyone help would be great thanks in advance

You end up paying duty (although negligable) and then VAT on top at 20% (irrespective of whether new or used), all calculated on the seller's declaration of value (which they are obligtated to do when exporting to the uk)

You'd be cheaper getting a cheap flight to the states and bringing it back yourself (assuming you didn't get checked at uk customs on your return)

https://www.gov.uk/goods-sent-from-abroad/tax-and-duty

As an example, a BLNR imported from David SW would cost you £6,753.00 + £0.68 + £1,350.74 VAT = £8,103.68. UK retail including VAT is £6,550.

You can get BNIB in the UK from a bricks and mortar grey for £7,500.

[RRGHOST1]

I personally don't think its worth all the hassle.

[OmegaJJH]

Originally Posted by RRGHOST1

I personally don't think its worth all the hassle.

It would appear so.

Certainly no harm in asking the question. I too have looked at DavidSW's website and wondered if I could make it work

[Sky21]

Wow, that VAT is a killer. Will the U.K. still have that once they leave the EU?

[JayB]

Originally Posted by Sky21

Wow, that VAT is a killer. Will the U.K. still have that once they leave the EU?

Yes, we had it before albeit under a different name and we'll have it after.

[kaiserphoenix]

Originally Posted by Sky21

Wow, that VAT is a killer. Will the U.K. still have that once they leave the EU?

But its fine for you guys as you guys wont pay the 20%, its only for us folks living IN the UK that needs to pay this.

[AK797]

You're better off buying from Italy or Greece etc and flying over to be very safe, altho the Pound/Euro still makes this not very attractive.

[MorningTundra]

Originally Posted by Nairn1980

I would be pretty certain UK will still want their VAT, whether it's a brand new watch or not. Customs UK limit for purchases is only £390.

I didn't think UK VAT is chargeable on second hand goods (?).

I'm thinking unincorporated, overseas seller... but I could be wrong.

Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs are an unpredictable bunch.

[Portland]

Regarding your question, OP.

I don't know of anyone in the U.K. that was imported from USA, however I was imported into USA from Romania some 28 years ago.

[Devildog]

Originally Posted by MorningTundra

I didn't think UK VAT is chargeable on second hand goods (?).

I'm thinking unincorporated, overseas seller... but I could be wrong.

Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs are an unpredictable bunch.

Unfortunately, yes its chargeable, as the tax is on the value added (Value Added Tax). The value added is the full value (as the goods have never been sold in the UK)

You pay VAT on second hand goods too in the uk (if the seller is registered), but only on the sellers margin.

As they say, its all in the name.

[Ad11wrd]

Originally Posted by nigelUK

and find out what their costs were . .


Thanks for input so far

I purchased a watch and I had no problem with buying from a dealer in US but ended up paying UK tax which did'nt give any benefit buying from the US. Other than if you can't buy that model type from the UK.

20% tax.

[Ad11wrd]

Originally Posted by Sky21

Wow, that VAT is a killer. Will the U.K. still have that once they leave the EU?

Yep!

[Blingtone]

On the question of VAT applied to goods coming into UK from the States, I always assumed that 'used' / pre-owned items were exempt.
My son in law trades certain vintage clothing (POLO, Vilebrequin etc.) and it seems he's recently been paying full UK VAT (plus an £8 per item Royal Mail handling charge on top!) on anything valued over $7.99 - it's bonkers, unless you can get the seller to mark the customs sticker as a 'GIFT' but even then a couple of items have been charged.
I would say it's not worth it, better still as someone else here remarked, fly out there for a break and kill 2 birds with one stone, anyhow good luck

[GMT Aviator]

Originally Posted by MorningTundra

I didn't think UK VAT is chargeable on second hand goods (?).

I'm thinking unincorporated, overseas seller... but I could be wrong.

Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs are an unpredictable bunch.

Import tax and VAT will be levied on the item you import based on the stated value of the item, regardless of whether it's new or not, and sometimes, they levy what they feel is 'appropriate'. It's a disgrace. Plus you will pay a handling fee if it comes in through someone like parcel force or the post office.
Trust me....I've imported tonnes of stuff into the UK from the US, mostly McDonnell Douglas aircraft avionics which were 'salvage' and shouldn't technically have any levy raised on them, but you're flogging a dead horse if you wanna take them to task on it.

Anyone need any DC10 or 747 spares?

[colpol]

I got a 1680 sub sent across about 4 years ago

Got stopped/ held at stanstead. Had to pay about £700 via my card before they'd let it go.

[harry88]

I was thinking the same, but luckily my AD got me my watch from Rolex UK and it worked out ok. Just the import tax makes me cry

[nigelUK]

Originally Posted by colpol

I got a 1680 sub sent across about 4 years ago

Got stopped/ held at stanstead. Had to pay about £700 via my card before they'd let it go.

This is exactly what I was thinking of doing (1680) !!

Mainly due to there being more choice in the US . . but also hoping to get a better deal along the way.

Thanks for all the great advice everyone

[GeeRam]

Originally Posted by Devildog

You end up paying duty (although negligable) and then VAT on top at 20% (irrespective of whether new or used), all calculated on the seller's declaration of value (which they are obligtated to do when exporting to the uk)

Remember its VAT on the total invoice price, which includes shipping and insurance etc, not just the watch price.

As someone said, the more logical way is getting a cheap flight, buying watch, posting box and docs to UK while your there, and then wearing watch back to UK.

Also, as said, its an availability issue rather than a cost one, as its cheaper to buy from an AD here......the issue is getting hold of whatever you are looking for.

[Colin W]

Originally Posted by nigelUK

Just wondered how risky and expensive it is ?



Went on a website and it seems maximum import duty is only 68p ? But you have to pay 20% VAT on top. Can the seller (if a bona-fide business) deduct the US VAT to compensate for the VAT due by UK customs ?



Anyone help would be great thanks in advance

Only worth doing when the exchange rate is very good. You are liable for VAT on declared value whether new or used piece.

IMO Better off buying from within EU at present even though exchange rate is poor.


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