Import Duty Question - SV650.org

squirrel_hunter · 30-10-13, 08:39 PM

I bought something from America and it was delivered about a month ago (motorcycle parts if you're wondering) it had a declared value of $330 and when the courier dropped it off he was questioned if there was anything to pay to which the answer was no. So why a month later have I been sent an invoice for duty of £120?

Now some of this information is a little sketchy as I don't have the invoice in front of me but the basics are there. What I don't understand is why its taken a month to invoice me, I've had plenty of other things delivered and before the parcel is released I pay any duty and tax required. Isn't there some time limit on this as I was quite surprised by this?

Furthermore I had another parcel again from America delivered shortly before, this time with a declared value of $600 which required a £140 duty payment when it was delivered before it was released. So I'm not sure why something half the value is roughly the same fee?

Unfortunately I'm not going to get to deal with this properly for a few days so just interested in what others have to say as I know the most obvious thing to do is phone the courier company and question them. And I should add I have no problem paying duty when required, I accept that sometimes I might get charged sometimes I might not. Its just appears a bit high and a bit late this time...

Bibio · 30-10-13, 08:46 PM

think there has been a recent change in tactics. customs depots are getting full so releasing parcels then billing later. as everyone knows you don't mess with the customs and excise if you know what's good for you.

was the bill on C&E headed paper?

squirrel_hunter · 30-10-13, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bibio

was the bill on C&E headed paper?

I don't think so I understand that it is from the couriers but I haven't seen it.

What difference would it make?

Bibio · 30-10-13, 08:52 PM

couriers will add handling charges.

maviczap · 30-10-13, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bibio

think there has been a recent change in tactics. customs depots are getting full so releasing parcels then billing later. as everyone knows you don't mess with the customs and excise if you know what's good for you.

was the bill on C&E headed paper?

Usually its the postal or courier service that collects the duty & vat on behalf of HMRC.

I'm a bit puzzled as to why you've got the goods before payment of the charges.

Here's the link to the public notice, which was updated in Jan this year.

http://customs.hmrc.gov.uk/channelsP...yType=document

Best to pay up, as if you don't then the goods would be liable to seizure

Essex of Essex · 30-10-13, 09:05 PM

Customs tariffs vary massively depending on what you are importing, so that could account for the lower bill on the greater value consignment but not the late billing.

squirrel_hunter · 30-10-13, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maviczap

I'm a bit puzzled as to why you've got the goods before payment of the charges.

So am I.

Quote:

Originally Posted by maviczap

Here's the link to the public notice, which was updated in Jan this year.

http://customs.hmrc.gov.uk/channelsP...yType=document

Best to pay up, as if you don't then the goods would be liable to seizure

That referred to Royal Mail rather than couriers in general but I expect the same sort thing for all of them. And reading that I would be liable for VAT plus so sort of handling fee. And by my quick calculations $330 is £250. VAT on that is about £50 plus some extra fees I would expect it to be about £70. So not sure where the £120 is, but I've not seen the invoice yet.

squirrel_hunter · 30-10-13, 09:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Essex of Essex

Customs tariffs vary massively depending on what you are importing, so that could account for the lower bill on the greater value consignment but not the late billing.

Both shipments were correctly declared as used motorcycle parts as that is what they were...

maviczap · 30-10-13, 09:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Essex of Essex

Customs tariffs vary massively depending on what you are importing, so that could account for the lower bill on the greater value consignment but not the late billing.

Also depends on which country you've imported the goods from

The USA has some of the highest duty rates

There is an online duty calculators somewhere

maviczap · 30-10-13, 09:17 PM

http://www.dutycalculator.com/help_c...nited-Kingdom/

30-10-13, 08:39 PM	#1
squirrel_hunter Member Mega Poster Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Sunny Swindon Posts: 3,570	Import Duty Question I bought something from America and it was delivered about a month ago (motorcycle parts if you're wondering) it had a declared value of $330 and when the courier dropped it off he was questioned if there was anything to pay to which the answer was no. So why a month later have I been sent an invoice for duty of £120? Now some of this information is a little sketchy as I don't have the invoice in front of me but the basics are there. What I don't understand is why its taken a month to invoice me, I've had plenty of other things delivered and before the parcel is released I pay any duty and tax required. Isn't there some time limit on this as I was quite surprised by this? Furthermore I had another parcel again from America delivered shortly before, this time with a declared value of $600 which required a £140 duty payment when it was delivered before it was released. So I'm not sure why something half the value is roughly the same fee? Unfortunately I'm not going to get to deal with this properly for a few days so just interested in what others have to say as I know the most obvious thing to do is phone the courier company and question them. And I should add I have no problem paying duty when required, I accept that sometimes I might get charged sometimes I might not. Its just appears a bit high and a bit late this time... __________________ "A little enthusiastic?" May I add here, GG is awesome and I think I am in love with Stretchie...he rocks my world! SH2 \| 2MA \| GROM \| YSR

30-10-13, 08:46 PM	#2
Bibio Member Mega Poster Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: here as devil's advocate Posts: 11,540	Re: Import Duty Question think there has been a recent change in tactics. customs depots are getting full so releasing parcels then billing later. as everyone knows you don't mess with the customs and excise if you know what's good for you. was the bill on C&E headed paper?

30-10-13, 08:52 PM	#4
Bibio Member Mega Poster Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: here as devil's advocate Posts: 11,540	Re: Import Duty Question couriers will add handling charges.

30-10-13, 09:05 PM	#6
Essex of Essex Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Braintree Posts: 547	Re: Import Duty Question Customs tariffs vary massively depending on what you are importing, so that could account for the lower bill on the greater value consignment but not the late billing. __________________ Eagles May Soar, But Weasels Do Not Get Sucked Into Jet Engines.

30-10-13, 09:17 PM	#10
maviczap Member Mega Poster Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 9,096	Re: Import Duty Question http://www.dutycalculator.com/help_c...nited-Kingdom/ __________________ We're riding out tonight to case the promised land Make everyday count RIP Reeder - Jolly Green Giant and comedy genius

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