Juicy Gets Caught by HM Customs and Excise.

[JUICY LUCY]

Ordered two coats from the USA. One coat arrived with the box intact and without a hitch, but a day later I received a letter from Parcel Force saying another parcel of mine had been opened by Customs and Excise and I was slapped with a £28 bill for VAT!!! :evil:

As it turns out, the latter jacket was way too big so I had to send it back. A few weeks later I received yet another letter from Parcel Force demanding £30 VAT for the smaller jacket :rant:

Am I a marked woman now? Has this happened to another person out there? As Kevin and Perry would say "Oh that's SO unfair" :evil:

NICE JACKETS THOUGH :wink: WHAT DO YOU THINK?
THIS IS THE ONE THAT COST ME AN EXTRA 58 QUID :arrow: http://upload4.postimage.org/682009/REDJACKET.jpg (http://upload4.postimage.org/682009/photo_hosting.html)

http://upload4.postimage.org/682012/FRONT.jpg (http://upload4.postimage.org/682012/photo_hosting.html)
http://upload4.postimage.org/682015/BACK.jpg (http://upload4.postimage.org/682015/photo_hosting.html)

[TVR_Tracy]

I like the red one.... would like that as an all in one.... :twisted: :twisted:

[Tara]

I Like the red one best

[JUICY LUCY]

I Like the red one best

Gonna christan the red one tonight when I go for a ride with my m8 to Porthcawl :lol:

[Peter Henry]

All in one's? Are we thinking of the same piece of attire here do you think? :oops:

[Spiderman]

funny, normay you click a pic and get a bigger version. I'm clicking and getting even smaller pics than those on here.

Tho i dont normaly like "flames" on things the Powertrip one looks pretty cool to me. But it could just be a size thing :D

[Kinvig]

I liked the picture of the black one last week.

[JUICY LUCY]

funny, normay you click a pic and get a bigger version. I'm clicking and getting even smaller pics than those on here.

Tho i dont normaly like "flames" on things the Powertrip one looks pretty cool to me. But it could just be a size thing :D

Hey I thought Spiderman had super duper eyesight. You're not a stand in like the stand ins Father Christmas has???

http://upload4.postimage.org/682242/occred.jpg (http://upload4.postimage.org/682242/photo_hosting.html)

It says Orange County Choppers on the back. One of my fav programmes to watch when I'm vegging in front of the telly :smt026

[DanDare]

I don't understand? :?

Why do you have to pay VAT on items from America????

Don't you just pay the tax over there and the shipping cost??? :? :? :? :?

[JUICY LUCY]

I don't understand? :?

Why do you have to pay VAT on items from America????

Don't you just pay the tax over there and the shipping cost??? :? :? :? :?

That's why I'm slightly confused. Parcel Force said that any parcel coming from outside the EU will be opened (yeah sure I believed that one not!) and the VAT would be determined by the item inside the box. With both parcels I paid VAT on the invoice was stuck to the outside of the box. The parcel I DID NOT pay VAT on did not have an invoice slapped to the outside.

So I guess next time I order, I'll ask them to either NOT slap the invoice on the outside and take the risk that Customs and Excise won't rip my parcel open, OR ask them to stick an invoice for a LESSER amount on the outside.

Ooo er, any Customs and Excise bikers - i didn't just say that OK!!

[Spiderman]

funny, normay you click a pic and get a bigger version. I'm clicking and getting even smaller pics than those on here.

Tho i dont normaly like "flames" on things the Powertrip one looks pretty cool to me. But it could just be a size thing :D

Hey I thought Spiderman had super duper eyesight. You're not a stand in like the stand ins Father Christmas has???

http://upload4.postimage.org/682242/occred.jpg (http://upload4.postimage.org/682242/photo_hosting.html)

It says Orange County Choppers on the back. One of my fav programmes to watch when I'm vegging in front of the telly :smt026

Thanks hun :D

Oh and its Superman who has the good eyesight not me. I'm just good at climbing the walls.

[JUICY LUCY]

Oh and its Superman who has the good eyesight not me. I'm just good at climbing the walls

That's different to what you told me the other day :lol: :lol:

[Spiderman]

So I guess next time I order, I'll ask them to either NOT slap the invoice on the outside and take the risk that Customs and Excise won't rip my parcel open, OR ask them to stick an invoice for a LESSER amount on the outside.

Ooo er, any Customs and Excise bikers - i didn't just say that OK!!

Our very own LynW may be along in a mo to lend her expertise on this issue. If not PM her, shes a pro on these issues.

[JUICY LUCY]

So I guess next time I order, I'll ask them to either NOT slap the invoice on the outside and take the risk that Customs and Excise won't rip my parcel open, OR ask them to stick an invoice for a LESSER amount on the outside.

Ooo er, any Customs and Excise bikers - i didn't just say that OK!!

Our very own LynW may be along in a mo to lend her expertise on this issue. If not PM her, shes a pro on these issues.

:thumright: THANKS SPIDERMAN

[TVR_Tracy]

That's why I get *GIFT* slapped on my parcels from the states, just in case they open them up and you get shafted!

[ArtyLady]

I send art all over the world and I always have to put a customs declaration on the package with a detailed description of what is contains so that they (presumably) dont have to open it at customs their end (non of my buyers have ever said that their packages have arrived opened).

As I understand it the buyer of any goods imported into UK has to pay duty on the item (varying amounts depending on the item and the value) If it doesnt say what is in it then I would assume then they then have to open it. :?

[JUICY LUCY]

I send art all over the world and I always have to put a customs declaration on the package with a detailed description of what is contains so that they (presumably) dont have to open it at customs their end (non of my buyers have ever said that their packages have arrived opened).

As I understand it the buyer of any goods imported into UK has to pay duty on the item (varying amounts depending on the item and the value) If it doesnt say what is in it then I would assume then they then have to open it. :?

.... Interesting. The fact that the jacket from Motoemporium arrived intact and without me having a hefty bill and the jackets from Eagle Leather were both stopped by Customs and Excise makes me a little suspcious to order from this company again!

[creamerybutter]

That's why I get *GIFT* slapped on my parcels from the states, just in case they open them up and you get shafted!

That doesn't always work unfortinatly, My Jap PSP had gift on it and I got £30+ charges on it.

[Demonz]

That's why I get *GIFT* slapped on my parcels from the states, just in case they open them up and you get shafted!

That doesn't always work unfortinatly, My Jap PSP had gift on it and I got £30+ charges on it. Apparantly used items often get through better.

[shao]

I got some stuff from riders-shack in usa, and the paket was marked as "SAMPLE" (they have a checkbox on their packaging slip for sample) which seems to have done the job nicely. The gift thing works better if it actually looks like a gift, ie used, with a card/note or wrapped.
[edit]Another option would be to get a friendly us-based person here or that you know to order and forward it, again you can then get a birthday card or whatever put in.

[lynw]

:)

[Red ones]

ooo err, that told you!

[lynw]

ooo err, that told you!

Sorry, another week of chronic insomnia and Ive lost any ability to phrase things less harshly. :oops: :( Rewritten slightly less bluntly. Apologies if its still too blunt. :oops:

I just dont want people to think writing "gift" is the guarantee they think it is or that it doesnt have any possible recriminations if the amounts get enough to warrant HMRC interest.

[Stu]

I would be careful about labelling things sample.
The only samples I have seen have not been useable, eg shoes with a hole punched in the sole. I'm sure you wouldn't want your item rendered usless other than for sample purposes.

[jonboy]

You know, reading the title of this thread I thought it was going to be an interesting read about a rubber glove and some quality time with customs officers :lol: .


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[Red ones]

Sorry, another week of chronic insomnia and Ive lost any ability to phrase things less harshly. :oops:

I read it and thought - is that one of my snotty work emails? :lol:

[rwoodcock01]

I am ordering some stuff from the states, and this was handy to know.

Thanks for the information Lynw, of and its not that Snotty, since I am running on 3/4 hours sleep at the moment I can feel for you. I hope you get some better sleep soon. :wink:

Rich

[JUICY LUCY]

Ok the tactfull[ish] version:

1. labelling as a gift does not work if the value of goods is above £36.

Shao you can enclose the worlds biggest birthday card signed by a hundred people, if the goods are valued at £100 gift or not and its stopped, you will pay duty and VAT.

The appropriate link is: here (http://customs.hmrc.gov.uk/channelsPortalWebApp/channelsPortalWebApp.portal?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=pageContactUs_ShowContent&id=HMCE_CL_000014&propertyType=document#P66_5558)

Quoting paragraph 2.4:

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 under EC Directives and Regulations excise duty 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
alcohol, tobacco products etc are within the allowances detailed in paragraphs 2.5 and 2.6
the gift is of an occasional nature only eg for a birthday or anniversary.

2. labelling as a gift is more likely to flag something to be stopped these days. Please credit HMRC officers with getting wise to this, the samples labelling is one that will stop working because it too will become overused.

Bear in mind if you are getting your seller to mislabel everything, one day you will get HMRCs attention. If the amounts involved are enough you will get a caution - as you have a legal responsibility to ensure the tax is declared if the goods werent a gift despite the sellers label. Small and infrequent items are more likely to be overlooked.

3. Juicy Lucy, Ive worked for Customs and what I will say is this. Think extremely carefully about colluding with anyone to defraud duty and VAT. An officer may check the suppliers site and if theres a significant drop in value [ie more than mere exchange rates] an officer will have every right to seize the goods outright if he believes the goods are being deliberately undervalued.

If an officer deems it to be deliberate then not only do you risk permanently losing the goods by seizure but you could face a formal caution. You as importer have legal responsibility for ensuring the duty/VAT is correct and is paid.

You have to remember Customs laws are draconian and it is for you to prove to Customs you havent colluded. Unfair? yes. But so imho is tax evasion as it means we all pay more in other ways to compensate for the shortfall elsewhere.

Also consider this if you had a formal caution for not paying duty/VAT. Your name would be on a database of formally cautioned people. Its then run against the flight you come back from holiday on. Want to bet the odds on you getting stopped in the green channel? :wink:

Thanks Lyn for the advice, interesting reading. To be honest with you I don't order often from the USA that often, just needed some summer coats for my bike. If I order again it will be just before Winter.

I'm also gonna stick with ordering through Motoemporium as my parcel was delivered without a hitch. :D

[JUICY LUCY]

You know, reading the title of this thread I thought it was going to be an interesting read about a rubber glove and some quality time with customs officers :lol: .


.

Well I could always make something more interesting up for you Jonboy :lol: but I don't think it would be allowed by Admin - not after my picture was removed the other day and I had my hands slapped :lol:

[JUICY LUCY]

ooo err, that told you!

Sorry, another week of chronic insomnia and Ive lost any ability to phrase things less harshly. :oops: :( Rewritten slightly less bluntly. Apologies if its still too blunt. :oops:

I just dont want people to think writing "gift" is the guarantee they think it is or that it doesnt have any possible recriminations if the amounts get enough to warrant HMRC interest.

Lyn :lol: I appreciate the advice so don't apologise for the "harsh phrasing"

[rob13]

the pictures look rubbish im afraid as you just cant see what they look like on ;) maybe you should put it on then take a pic - im sure monsieur Henry would agree with me on that one :D

[JUICY LUCY]

the pictures look rubbish im afraid as you just cant see what they look like on ;) maybe you should put it on then take a pic - im sure monsieur Henry would agree with me on that one :D

Well, next time I'm out biking round the Vale, I'll pull someone over and get them to take some pics of me in my jacket(s) :D

[lynw]

:)

[jonboy]

Well I could always make something more interesting up for you Jonboy :lol: but I don't think it would be allowed by Admin - not after my picture was removed the other day and I had my hands slapped :lol:

Yeah you've got to watch that lot :lol: .


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[Sir Trev]

The upshot is whenever you buy from outside the EC you should factor in duty at 3.5% and VAT on top of that at 17.5% payable if its stopped [for goods under £290. If its above the duty rate could vary from that]. Oh and your shipper may factor in an admin charge for dealing with it. But that should mean you wont be surprised if you suddenly get a bill for VAT and duty.



Silly question perhaps, but how come the duty and tax cannot be captured by the seller? That way the buyer does not have the gamble of getting hit and the price they pay is the full total? In the same way that major banks operate a clearing system the revenue bodies around the world could then pass the monies collected to their relevant oposite numbers.

[Jabba]

Well I could always make something more interesting up for you Jonboy :lol: but I don't think it would be allowed by Admin - not after my picture was removed the other day and I had my hands slapped :lol:

Yeah you've got to watch that lot :lol:

Yeah.......Admin2 in particular is a nasty piece of work :wink:

[sharriso74]

Dodgy those customs lot

http://www.pplmania.com/games/airport_security.mpeg

[lynw]

Silly question perhaps, but how come the duty and tax cannot be captured by the seller? That way the buyer does not have the gamble of getting hit and the price they pay is the full total? In the same way that major banks operate a clearing system the revenue bodies around the world could then pass the monies collected to their relevant oposite numbers.

For EC goods supplied to private individuals it does work this way. A german supplier would have to charge you VAT or require you to complete special forms to zero rate it - but that would mean you would get a bill from Customs.

To do it worldwide is simply impractical. It would be unenforceable, uncheckable and in essence uncollectable.

For example, do you think Israel would be paying over atm or embezzling the money to fund its activities? How do you say a governments lieing and embezzling without triggering a diplomatic incident? And how do you apply leverage without causing an incident? Consider the US states have their own sales tax rates so its not a simple one rate depending on where your supplier is located. One day you may get hit with 7% and if you buy from another state it could be 10%. Our tariff may be unfair a bit but at least you know where you stand, what the rules, duty and VAT are. :D

Sorry was on a course last couple of days so not seen this till now.

[chazzyb]

No doubt I'll get slapped down, but, [pedantic mode] they're now HM Revenue and Customs [/pedantic mode]. :P