import/VAT charges

[jdizzy]

never really needed to order anything from hong kong before (glock mag) anyone with experiences? i.e how much import duty was added on top when It arrived?

I know there is no customs duty as its not over the amount of £135, but is the VAT calculated the same as the UK?

thanks

[Sir Stephen]

Re: import/VAT charges

17% VAT plus 'handling fees' by royal mail/parcel force, probably £8-£15

[theplage1234]

Re: import/VAT charges

yes VAT the same rate 20% a courier company will probably charge a clearing fee anything unto £13.50 one off fee.

17% VAT plus 'handling fees' by royal mail/parcel force, probably £8-£15

Mate VAT been 20% for ages now

[Fizzy]

Re: import/VAT charges

You also often find VAT is charged on the shipping cost as well

[jdizzy]

Re: import/VAT charges

so I thought I found a bargain when its going to cost me just as much from the UK :/

[loki7491]

Re: import/VAT charges

Seems an expensive way to buy a magazine. Typically you are looking at £25 - £30 for a new mag in the UK.

By the time you have paid the associated costs it could well end up costing you more!!

[Mickydoos]

Re: import/VAT charges

Pretty much though from time to time customs might not add a fee and then you will have your bargain.

[theplage1234]

Re: import/VAT charges

If postage and the item are less than £18 customs don't do anything to the package so no fees or VAT. If the sender has put it as a gift that level raises to £36.

[loki7491]

Re: import/VAT charges

So you may or may not get a bargain.

You may get it slightly cheaper occasionally, but compared to the other times when you don't, you will have an over all net loss compared to buying in the UK.

Obviously on the bigger ticket items such as RIFs there is more of a bargain to be had. A £13.50 handling fee on a £400 item bout for £200 isn't so bad. But a £13.50 handling fee on a £25 item bought for £12.50 seems a little bit backwards!

[dave38x]

Re: import/VAT charges

Basic rule of thumb I employ is take the cost of the order in USD and change the sign to a £ sign, when I've been taxed before that's ended up being the total cost of the order. If it's cheaper in the UK (it sometimes still isnt) then go for it.

A good example is the DyTac URX3. You can have it from a Hong Kong store for about $120, postage will be probably around $20-30. Even after tax thats only going to be at most £150.

One uk store sells that very rail system for over £200...

[Knight]

Re: import/VAT charges

There shouldn't be an additional postage fee over what you pay to the Asia retailer, however you will pay duty and VAT on entry.

Airsoft guns have a duty rate of 3.2% and VAT is 20%.

You can use this website to give you a good idea of the final cost: http://www.dutycalculator.com/new-im...x-calculation/

[JFarrow]

Re: import/VAT charges

I ordered 3 glock mags from HK not so long ago. Totalled around £99 or something along the lines. I believe in total I had to pay around £32-33 for all the import fees.