Buying cheaper items abroad what snags to avoid?

jt5566 · 26 August 2011, 12:14

Hi ive just ordered a CF ide adapter and a CF PCMCIA slot adapter on Ebay uk. total cost <£4 inc post (though will have to wait to arrive...) I paid through paypal. Then remembered possible tax issues. Should i have asked for "gift" to have been written on the package? HMRC customs site says that items below £9 in value the tax is waved, hope so! Theyre comming from Hong Kong so will have to see
Any other info regarding buying parts online that you feel are useful?

synchro · 26 August 2011, 12:26

I have ordered usb caddys from Hong Kong at £1.50 and have never had any real problems....Customs can delay delivery sometimes but it usually turns up even if its 10 days later...Generally just check thier feedback before ordering.

discomeats · 26 August 2011, 12:37

I wouldn't worry about it as it's peanuts.

However, be careful of having "gift" put on foreign packages to beat the system. If you buy something expensive and they open it you may find a depressing situation occurs. Just because a package is marked "gift" doesn't mean it's tax or duty exempt even if it is an actual gift. As the recipient, the ultimate responsibility for what is ultimately fraud, is yours.

And, as HMRC seems to do wtf it wants FUN!* can ensue! \o/

*actual amount of FUN can vary.

rare_j · 26 August 2011, 22:48

You are required to pay tax on imports over a certain value- i think its £18 or £24 i cant remember now.
Well only if you get checked... If the postie spots your package is over that value you have to pay them the tax and a handling charge.
I've been stung twice. GPO handling charge was a fiver or so but UPS was more like a tenner.
Your package is below the threashold anyway.

26 August 2011, 12:14	#1
jt5566 jt Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Macclesfield UK Posts: 34	Buying cheaper items abroad what snags to avoid? Hi ive just ordered a CF ide adapter and a CF PCMCIA slot adapter on Ebay uk. total cost <£4 inc post (though will have to wait to arrive...) I paid through paypal. Then remembered possible tax issues. Should i have asked for "gift" to have been written on the package? HMRC customs site says that items below £9 in value the tax is waved, hope so! Theyre comming from Hong Kong so will have to see Any other info regarding buying parts online that you feel are useful?

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26 August 2011, 12:26	#2
synchro Sending You Back In Time Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: UK Age: 61 Posts: 986	I have ordered usb caddys from Hong Kong at £1.50 and have never had any real problems....Customs can delay delivery sometimes but it usually turns up even if its 10 days later...Generally just check thier feedback before ordering.

26 August 2011, 12:37	#3
discomeats Just add brown sauce. Join Date: May 2008 Location: North East Englandland Posts: 170	I wouldn't worry about it as it's peanuts. However, be careful of having "gift" put on foreign packages to beat the system. If you buy something expensive and they open it you may find a depressing situation occurs. Just because a package is marked "gift" doesn't mean it's tax or duty exempt even if it is an actual gift. As the recipient, the ultimate responsibility for what is ultimately fraud, is yours. And, as HMRC seems to do wtf it wants FUN!* can ensue! \o/ *actual amount of FUN can vary.

26 August 2011, 22:48	#4
rare_j Zone Friend Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: London Posts: 1,176	You are required to pay tax on imports over a certain value- i think its £18 or £24 i cant remember now. Well only if you get checked... If the postie spots your package is over that value you have to pay them the tax and a handling charge. I've been stung twice. GPO handling charge was a fiver or so but UPS was more like a tenner. Your package is below the threashold anyway.

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