[Cheviot]

Hi,
I'm looking to buy an ultra sonic anti barking device, and the only one that looks capable of doing the job, can only be bought in the USA, although they have a .co.uk website it has to ship from the USA, I have had a live chat with the company, but they cannot tell me if VAT will be charged at this end, I will have to pay VAT on the delivery charge, I have looked on the HMRC website, but cannot find an answer, I don't mind having to pay VAT if it is applicable, I would just like to know the total cost of the thing before I commit to buying.
I now can't ring the HMRC untill Monday, so was just wondering if anyone here might know.
Regards
Sue

[john and helen]

surly they can only add 20%  ….. ?

[Cheviot]

Hi,
I'm just not sure if any other customs charges may apply on top of the VAT.

[YoungRasher]

Its very hard to find out what they charge. I buy a lot of motorcycle parts from the Us and the import duties and tax seem to be based on what they think the thing is worth and not what you pay for it.


Edit by mod: please don't commit fraud

[spandit]

You will pay VAT and duty on the following:

cost of item (declared value, not necessarily what you paid for it - be warned, if you understate the cost to try and avoid duty, not only will it affect any insurance claims but if HMRC look into it, then you are in trouble)
+
cost of shipping item
+
cost of insuring item (if applicable)

So, for an item that attracts 15% duty, you will be paying 138% of the total value of your goods.

Example: you buy your device for £80 and shipping is £20, then you will pay £138 in total

[AndynJ]

Fountains of knowledge 

[nicandem]

also depends on courier as they add their charges for paying the tax up front... ie post office was £8 last time i got any in or £11 for courier company


know anyone going on holiday to the states

[Cactus Jack]

I also used to buy bike bits from the states and I used to ask them to write birthday gift on the label. Never got charged vat or duty once.

[mowhaugh]

Don't know the rules, but I know it is something you have to be careful with, someone on another forum I am on got a very nasty shock purchasing a camera as a Christmas gift, she ended up paying something like an extra £120 in charges.

[tizaala]

If you Google ultrasonic anti-bark collars there are loads on there.


http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=anti+bark+collars&tag=googhydr-21&index=aps&hvadid=29165774413&hvpos=1t1&hvexid=&hvnetw=s&hvrand=268561433196786659&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=b&hvdev=c&ref=pd_sl_hmfwjuyks_b

[Cheviot]

Hi,
Thanks for all the info, I think I'll not bother with it, seems like too much hassle to me.
Tizzala thanks for the link, unfortunately it's not a collar that I want, it is a device that will stop a number of dogs from barking, and the only ones I can find in this country seem to have very poor reveiws .
Regards
Sue

[doganjo]

Sue, you'd be better to determine why they all bark and what the triggers are, and teach them to bark on command - as mentioned in your other thread.

I have often bought goods coming from America and other places from Ebay and always have paid exactly what was quoted - anyone know what the difference is?