Import duty

[coffee break]

I'm looking at some items I will be ordering from a UK vendor. Good news is no VAT, but I expect there will be an import duty. What's the going rate and how is it collected?

[fastg]

I have a lot of packages shipped from the UK and I very rarely get any duty attached. It's only happened a couple of time in $20 years. When there was a duty payable they just put postage stamps on the package and make you pay for the stamps before you can pick up the package.

 

Graham

[bigdog]

I believe the customs folks tend to have only a few items of a personal use nature that will set off alarms. Rolex's and stuff like that that have high value and are easy to turn over. The main thing they are after is items that are for resale.

 

I've been sending all kinds of European items back to the US from Germany over the last 3 1/2 years. Never has anyone I sent something to been told that duty was due. I would suggest that if you are a business owner that you order personal use items with your name and not use your business name or address, As that may alert the customs office that the item could be for resale.

Edited December 23, 2013 by bigdog

[blubarisax]

I have ordered parts from both the UK and Germany. FedEx and DHL always charge duty. Depending on what the parts are it's only a few percentage points.

[Kitcat]

Ditto Blubarisax, incl recent part from Caterham.

[iceberg1234]

UPS will also hit you for duty. Often in a bill that comes later. Not a high percentage, but enough you notice if you're getting big ticket items.

[scannon]

If it is small enough ask to have it sent via the Royal Post (I think that is what they call the equivalent of the USPS). I have never had to pay duty on anything that came across the pond that way. Same result when sending things to Europe using the USPS.