Buying from the USA

[john roche]

Can anyone tell me if I will have to pay any tax or import duties on a s/h Tonealigner pickup that I am buying from the USA? Thanks

[Basil Henriques]

VAT on the total and that includes the P&P (Shipping costs) and approx £10 clearance fees..

[Jason Lynch]

Further to Basil's answer, Import duty is usually charged for anything over £35 approx. This includes personal gifts. the amount charged varies depending on the value of the item, and what it is. for more info, try customs website at:
http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/customs/tax-and-duty.htm
Hope that helps.

[Basil Henriques]

Jason is correct, but bear in mind that the £35 is for the item, The VAT is charged on the TOTAL, like:- Item+postage+duty+clearance fee... then the VAT is calculated on that total..
Methinks they'd charge you VAT on the VAT if they could..

Import VAT rate

The percentage charged is the same VAT rate that applies to similar goods that are sold in the UK.

The Import VAT percentage rate is applied to the total value of the goods. In the case of goods brought in this is the sterling equivalent of the price paid abroad, as shown on the receipt. In the case of goods posted from outside the EU, it is the amount on the Customs Declaration, which includes the price paid for the goods, the cost of transport, postage and packing, insurance and any duty that may be payable.

[john roche]

Thanks Basil and Jason, What I find strange is that I have been sent Pots and a few other things from the USA before costing more then £35 in the past and was never charged anything.

[Jason Lynch]

Some items do "slip under the radar", as it were. Thankfully. I've had small items from the USA and not been charged, but been stung on my latest steel to the tune of nearly £250 in total.
Bastards!
I think they're more concerned with large parcels, so thing by letter post or in jiffy bags seem to go unoticed.

[ZBSD-10]

I had a ZB volume pedal from Billy Knowles and I never had to pay anything , was I lucky or was it because I
live here ( For the moment !) Greece ?
All the best
Frank.

[Ken Byng]

One good way of overcoming the dreading taxes and fees is (with the sellers compliance) to get the package marked that the enclosed item is being return after a fault has been repaired. Works for me every time.

[Basil Henriques]

Almost £2,000 Vat and duty on my Fender PS-210 Sent to me as a "Gift"
The carriage cost was horrendous, (Due to its weight..80lbs) and subject to FULL rate VAT, and the value of the guitar had to be determined, so Fender and Gruhns had to appraise it. The rate was then applied as in the normal rate for Antique's & Collectables.

So even as a "Gift" you MAY have to pay above and beyond..

The repair scenario that Ken describes could be a minefield, IF the customs request proof of shipping OUT..

Basically what I decided is that I'm going to send an en-bloc invitation to ALL custom officials, and state, that "When their parents get married I'll play for them Gratis.." ;)

[john roche]

Thanks again for your help. as I am only spending £60 I don't think i will be fleeced...