Import duty from the US to the UK?

JAT

JAT

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Does anyone know if there is duty or VAT to pay on second hand books bought from the US?
The book I’m looking at is quite pricey but I can’t find a definite answer regarding duty or VAT, if there is it’s a deal breaker.
 
I don’t think there will be any VAT to pay but import duty will be I think, most things are 3.7% or there about’s. Royal Mail will charge a handling fee.
Starmers recent free trade agreement will
Probably add 10% 🤣
What’s the books value / cost?
 
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Exige said:
I don’t think there will be any VAT to pay but import duty will be I think, most things are 3.7% or there about’s. Royal Mail will charge a handling fee.
Starmers recent free trade agreement will
Probably add 10% 🤣
What’s the books value / cost?
Click to expand...
About $400
 
Fight the streets Fmd said:
Ask one of our American members to have it send to them and then can send it to you as a gift from a friend, value is then unknown and hard to prove, so no taxes 👍
Click to expand...
I think max gift value is $35 or so (or it was), and the value has to be shown on the documentation - a low false value will mean it's not insured but using UPS should work if packed well.
 
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JAT said:
Does anyone know if there is duty or VAT to pay on second hand books bought from the US?
The book I’m looking at is quite pricey but I can’t find a definite answer regarding duty or VAT, if there is it’s a deal breaker.
Click to expand...

The list of exemptions is here

www.gov.uk

Pay no import duties and VAT on miscellaneous documents and related articles

Claim relief on import duty and VAT when importing miscellaneous documents and related articles into the UK.
www.gov.uk www.gov.uk

As @chrisw said, if it’s over £135 landed value ie its value plus the P&P costs then its liable to customs duty. Fortunately duty on books is 0%

UK Integrated Online Tariff: Look up commodity codes, duty and VAT rates - GOV.UK

www.trade-tariff.service.gov.uk www.trade-tariff.service.gov.uk

However, VAT will have to be paid on its landed value at 20% plus, who ever is the courier will levy an admin fee for collecting the VAT.


It’s all here
www.gov.uk

Tax and customs for goods sent from abroad

VAT, duty and customs declarations for goods received by post or courier - paying, collecting your goods, getting a refund and documents.
www.gov.uk www.gov.uk
 
I told the chap I couldn’t commit to buying it due to the possible costs involved. He sold it immediately to someone else!!!
Should have just bit the bullet I think as trying to find another is nigh on impossible.
It has just been released as an official PDF for $25, it’s not the same though is it.
Maybe I could do that and treat myself to a half sovereign with the rest of the pot.
 
JAT said:
I told the chap I couldn’t commit to buying it due to the possible costs involved. He sold it immediately to someone else!!!
Should have just bit the bullet I think as trying to find another is nigh on impossible.
It has just been released as an official PDF for $25, it’s not the same though is it.
Maybe I could do that and treat myself to a half sovereign with the rest of the pot.
Click to expand...
He can email the pdf to you and there’s no vat (or duty) .

Sometimes if a thing is unique there’s no £$€ value that can be placed on it, it's worth what it’s worth to the buyer and the seller.
 
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