Tax IS taxing!

[Chriscb]

Afternoon,

So, I ordered stuff from Penn State (not the first time!) - kept the cost to £108 ($140), thus being under the Customs Duty line and yet I'm stung for £27.48 from Royal Mail... for the first time. (VAT??)

Three previous orders from Penn State this year (total of 12 in 4 years) - no customs and no VAT before so why now?!

Ideas on a postcard please!

Thanks.

Chriscb.

 

[Bigblackdog]

I think you have been lucky on all your previous orders. It has been a little while since I have had things shipped from the USA, but they always get checked. I can't remember the last time that one slipped through (from the USA), but it would be years ago.

 

[Phil Dart]

The threshold for import duty is £120, but the threshold for import VAT is only £18. If you've slipped through the net on previous occasions, that is your good fortune Chris, but generally you will get a bill from Royal Mail, which includes a £12 fee for the privilege of sending it to you.

 

[Chriscb]

Is the customs threshold £120 - isn't it £135 - Tax and customs for goods sent from abroad: Tax and duty - GOV.UK. Is the collection of tax dependent on the carrier? Maybe my good fortune has finally run out!

Thanks taking the time to reply.

Regards,

Chriscb

 

[Phil Dart]

Having just checked it Chris, which is something I haven't done for a while, yes, you're right - £135 duty threshold now. That's a small improvement, but the flip side is that I see the VAT threshold is now only £15.

Yes, collection of taxes and VAT is the responsibility of the carrier.

 

[rayf6604]

I got the impression that Royal Mail are targeting each and every parcel from overseas because it's easy money and they need every penny they can get. Call me cynical but that's what I think

 

[silver]

Is the collection of tax dependent on the carrier? Maybe my good fortune has finally run out!
Chriscb

Nope, it doesn't matter who the carrier is. Just simpler method of paying if you use other carriers rather than Royal mail.

With RM you won't get your goods until you have paid the VAT and handling fee. There are others out there that will deliver then send you the bill.

But if I were you and got away without paying I would get in touch with HMRC and let them know so you can pay it as soon as possible. :wink:

 

[Penpal]

Like the Sparrow in the mire pays to keep your head down MHO.Nonetheless it hurts. From my perspective sending from here to the UK is scary as for lesser amounts.

Peter.

 

[Chriscb]

I got the impression that Royal Mail are targeting each and every parcel from overseas because it's easy money and they need every penny they can get. Call me cynical but that's what I think

Cynical but who knows..... true

 

[Chriscb]

Nope, it doesn't matter who the carrier is. Just simpler method of paying if you use other carriers rather than Royal mail.

With RM you won't get your goods until you have paid the VAT and handling fee. There are others out there that will deliver then send you the bill.

But if I were you and got away without paying I would get in touch with HMRC and let them know so you can pay it as soon as possible. :wink:

Yeh right