Importing from China to the UK

[CharlieB]

Hi

I'm about to import from China to the UK but I was just wondering how import duty works:

Do I have to pay this manually myself or will I get a letter from HMRC saying I need to pay?
Do I need to pay VAT as well as import duty?
Is there a value which the order has to be over to be charged import duty?
Do HMRC hold my goods for anytime and will this affect the quoted delivery time?
When they are inspected, what are they looking for?

Many thanks

Charlie

[Mega B]

Charlie what are you importing into the UK is it something electrical or something else.

[CharlieB]

no its grip mats only about £17 at the moment as a sample and maybe a £40 order later

[CharlieB]

does anyone know or anywhere i can find out the answers?

[yourhostingspot.com]

I import both large and small quantities into the U.S. With small quantities I simply set it up through UPS. Set up a meeting or just go online and setup an account. They'll answer any questions you have and give you what you need.
It's the best way to do it. What carrier are you using for shipping?

[CharlieB]

looks like DHL at the moment, is all this looked after by the courier then?

[guidemesingapore]

Actually the rules depend on your type of product as well as the quantities, shipping method etc. For example many exporters will ask you to open a letter of credit before they can ship any products to you. Some use courier services like DHL. DHL does have import clearing services as well but its kind of expensive. As far as import duty is concerned, you have to pay it yourself and not wait for a letter to arrive.

[InvenToy]

Hi Charlie,

I started importing toys from china and customs added about 30% import tax on because they could not categorise the items I was importing. The company sending them even put toys/gifts on the packaging but customs ignored this and stung me £30 tax!

Best do the research and source an established courier.

Cheers


Inventoy

[CharlieB]

so the tax gets put on after I receive the order, correct? Or does the courier handle everything? I'm planning on using UPS i think. Is it also true that if the order is labeled 'gift' then it dosent get taxed?

[InvenToy]

I am not sure how UPS deal with the tax. I basically had a card through the door which said that there was additional charges to pay. Parcel force dealt with this particular one. I believe it worked out about 33% on top of the cost of the goods. If it is a normal classification of item then putting the 'gift' on it normally does the trick. All depends if you get lucky with which customs person looks at the box I guess! I have had all sort sent as gift via ebay deals and they have got through ok.