How to avoid paying import tax?

[Lyris]

I'm buying a Key Digital KD-VTCA3 (VGA->YPbPR Transcoder) so I can play my Dreamcast games in Progressive Scan (and so I can play some PC games on my TV without them looking all blurry.)

The cost of the unit is $199, shipping to Europe will be another $30. So as you can tell, this isn't a small investment. So understandably I'd like to save as much moolah as possible.

The Question (skip here if you're in a hurry)
I understand that the Netherlands has no customs office. Is it possible for me to have this sent to a friend over there who would then repackage the item and pass it on to me, and avoid customs charges? I've seen companies route packages through Belgium and the Netherlands before to do this, just wondering if I could do the same.

Alternatively, if there are any kind souls in America who would do this for me (of course, I would pay all the shipping charges you incurred plus a little extra for your trouble) I'd be very thankful.

[buster_broon]

i know that play route parcels from the states via Belgium and you still get stung on duty

the customs office in the uk see the place in belgium being a warehouse and its just part of journey from the item

i once tried to point this out to a kind customs officer that my parcel was sent from Belgium (return address) and he told me exactly where the parcel had come from

but i think with play the customs office knows the operation - so they might not know about the company you're going to use

Jason

[Lyris]

I'm going to use just a normal tooth-flossing citizen, a friend of mine, not a professional outfit or anything... so think it'd be OK with that in mind?

[gIzzE]

Where are you getting it from?? copperbox.com??

If so speak to the guys there and ask them to mark the item down, they are ery helpful there.

[Lyris]

Thanks very much, I'll consider this then instead and try and get it sent to me directly

Just so I don't order the wrong thing - the blurb for this product says,

ClearColor3 is to convert your VGA (RGBHV) signal to Component Video
(YPrPb).

It should work since it can convert the VGA output of a PC to Component, but the signal the DC outputs in VGA mode is RGBHV, right?

[Rhys]

I work for Customs & Excise... so maybe I can provide a little assisstance! lol

Customs duty is charged on all goods over ?50 in value which are brought into the country for use or resale. Regardless of 'where' they came from, the fact that they are being brought into the UK means that UK Import Duty is due on them.

Now, depending on how the item is packaged, and whether they choose to check it or not, you may or may not get asked to pay it.

I wish you all the best, but I woudln't rely on not paying. Always set the attributable money aside, just in case.

[RLench]

?50?

I've always been told it was ?18 or ?36 if it's a gift.

[buster_broon]

i was told by the customs officer it was:

?18 for merchandise
?36 for a gift

and you dont pay duty on items shipped with europe - no matter what the value is - since we are all friends nowadays

[superstarbeejay]

I work for Customs & Excise... so maybe I can provide a little assisstance! lol

Customs duty is charged on all goods over ?50 in value which are brought into the country for use or resale. Regardless of 'where' they came from, the fact that they are being brought into the UK means that UK Import Duty is due on them.

Now, depending on how the item is packaged, and whether they choose to check it or not, you may or may not get asked to pay it.

I wish you all the best, but I woudln't rely on not paying. Always set the attributable money aside, just in case.

Bollocks do you work for c&e. Go to the website and find the bit about ?50. It might take you a while.

[RLench]

i was told by the customs officer it was:

?18 for merchandise
?36 for a gift

and you dont pay duty on items shipped with europe - no matter what the value is - since we are all friends nowadays

Exactly. Anything shipped into the EU from outside the EU is liable for the tax rate that that country sets. So shipping to the Netherlands would still incur taxes (if the netherlands has import duty, which I guess it will have) But shipping from Netherlands to the UK wouldn't have any tax added to the cost

[gIzzE]

Thanks very much, I'll consider this then instead and try and get it sent to me directly

Just so I don't order the wrong thing - the blurb for this product says,

ClearColor3 is to convert your VGA (RGBHV) signal to Component Video
(YPrPb).

It should work since it can convert the VGA output of a PC to Component, but the signal the DC outputs in VGA mode is RGBHV, right?

What do you want to hook up with it??

Just Xbox, 480p and 720p?

And what are you hooking it up to??

[Lyris]

It's to convert my Dreamcast's VGA output (640x480 VGA) into my Component Video LCD TV (480p, but it supports all of the HDTV modes).

[Rhys]

Exactly. Anything shipped into the EU from outside the EU is liable for the tax rate that that country sets. So shipping to the Netherlands would still incur taxes (if the netherlands has import duty, which I guess it will have) But shipping from Netherlands to the UK wouldn't have any tax added to the cost

We're not talking about tax here, we're talking about duty. They're two very different things.

And unless our fella here is a vat registered business wishing to reclaim the vat as input tax, then I doubt he would even care.

Even so, if it's a non-EC country that it's coming from, then there'd be no VAT to reclaim.

[Rhys]

Bollocks do you work for c&e. Go to the website and find the bit about ?50. It might take you a while.

I work in Business Fraud Investigation, on the Customs (which is taxes) side. Import duty is more concerned with Excise (trade entering and leaving the country), which is where the guys are stationed at ferry ports etc.

It was around ?50 several years ago. Obviously I don't keep abreast of the varying thresholds anymore, as it's not really in my field. Please excuse me for that. I'm well aware off the top of my head that it's Public Notice 702 though, so do check that out if you wanna know more.

Haha! And finally, why on earth would I lie about working for HMCE??? It's hardly the best chatup line or icebreaker at a party is it!!!! lol

[Crossed fingers]

Rhys- as you work for customs excise (whatever) are videogame consoles taxed V.A.T and customs duty. Or is it just V.A.T?