Hi all,

Quick question.

I am importing about £800 worth of goods from the USA. I was wondeirng how VAT is charged on imports. do they see the goods at cumtoms then charge me VAT? do i pay the VAT myself once i get the goods? once I sell the goods?

how does it work?

also, what happens if you are caught importing goods without declaring VAT to be paid?

please help!

thanks

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Last edited by fountainsuk; 09-06-2009 at 08:20 PM.

You'll be charged VAT on all of your imports, as well as import duties where applicable.

I assume the products will be shipped via a courier (DHL, UPS, etc.)? If so, they will cover any import costs on your behalf and then bill you.

Avoiding VAT is of course, tax evasion and really isn't worth the risk.

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ok so UPS will just add it on so i dont have to do anything when importing?

You will get a invoice within 2 weeks if using DHL

Normally UPS are cash on delivery unless you have opened a account

oh ok, so do i have to tell them that VAT should be charged on it? how will they know?

No, you don't have to tell them. There will be a commercial invoice along with several forms attached to the package(s), customs will use the data on this documentation to calculate the VAT and any applicable duties. They will then bill UPS on your behalf and UPS will bill you.

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ok, so when they person at the other end sends the goods, how is he supposed to mark the item?

If the supplier you're using has any experience exporting, then they will know how to do this. I wouldn't worry.

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he has only has experience in marking items as gifts and putting $50 values of them!

i dont want to do this so i have to tell him how to do it.

It's the same procedure, except this time he would not declare it as a gift (simply means not ticking a box) and would need to write the correct value.

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