Ordering from Jersey (Play) and the taxman

[Bassman]

I am never entirely clear what the situation is when ordering more expesive items from Play. I know they put a Customs Declaration on the package. I normally buy at under ?18 but was wondering if anyone has been charged duty when buying a more expensive item?

I was wondering because if they ever get any in stock they will have a 1Gb Memory Stick Pro Duo for ?84.99 including delivery.

[VR46]

had an order for ?40ish pound other week, no tax, think because they mark it as a gift it's exempt ? - prehaps someone else can confirm, alternatively why not give them a call, they're always helpful

[Mad Gear]

I've never been charged import duty and i've had allsorts from them.

[anephric]

If something costs more than ?18 from Play (or ChoicesDirect Jersey, or Tesco etc etc) then it is eligible for VAT (and Royal Mail processing costs - ?4ish).

Customs are getting pretty hot on this, btw, because so many other etailers are moaning that it's unfair.

It depends how they're declaring it: I don't know because I haven't ordered anything that costs much from them for an age, but I know aggggeeees ago people were getting hit on customs for dvd boxsets etc.

[butchcvc]

just got the resident evil chainsaw from play.com, in a massive box, and had no problems with that!

[anephric]

Play might be putting a "UK VAT PAID" stamp on their things declared at more than ?18...

[Geezer]

I'm pretty sure play pay the customs for you

[anephric]

Yeah, I'd imagine that to be the case now... it prolly more than balances out with the money they save on not paying VAT on most cds, dvds etc.

[Lyris]

Yup, they pay it.

[gossi the dog]

Everything costing ?18 or more on the play website includes VAT. Play doesn't pay it for you - you pay it. Everything under ?18 does not. Hence why so many items are ?17.99

[Bassman]

Thanks... I am patiently awaiting the 1GB Memory Stick Pro Duos to arrive at ?84.99 as theirs is a rather good price so I would hate to have to pay duty which would make in more expensive than some of the mainland sites.