Just a simple question, I've been an importer for a while and you'd think I'd know this but anyway...say I want to buy a ?25 game from a foreign site, like play asia or lik-sang etc. would I have to pay import or customs fees. I know when I imported my gc it cost quite a bit but that was because it was heavy and expensive. Basically, would I have to give the post any money when he delivers it?
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If you get a game from play-asia (cant speak for lik-sang) they will mark the price down so that you are not stung for customs - make sure you use the standard postage option, EMS and UPS tend to cotton on to this trick and you might get stung!
Some people say you need to request with play-asia after making an order, but i never bother to do this, my goods are always marked under as "optical media" or such like for ?16 or 160HK$ for example 8) -
I think the cut off point is anything either above ?17ish or ?30ish - hopefully someone else will confirm; I know it says it on the UK customs site but can't remember the link - will get hit. Although, the chances of tax is minimised if it's sent standard post ie. not FedEX or UPS etc. as it's less likely to go through an official going over (neither of the big US brands would want say weapons parts going through their system, and getting hit by the negative publicity of lack of responsibility and so forth).
Anyway, more informed answere here.Comment
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The precise cut off point is ?18Comment
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Yes the cut off point is ?18 or ?36 if it's a gift. On games you don't pay import duty (or at least I never have) but you will get stung for VAT and a ridiculous handling charge from the post office.Comment
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Get it sent via airmail, and tell play-asia/liksang to mark it down, and you'll be safe. As was said, Couriers cotton on to this trick and usually charge you silly amounts (?25 on 2 GC games!) so it's best to use airmail, even though they take a few days longer.Comment
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double postComment
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Remember kids, getting a package marked down doesn't guarantee no charges - I'm pretty sure that if customs suspect bull****, they can open your parcel & estimate the true worth of the package - it's then up to you to prove them wrong...Comment
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Yes customs will check parcels at random. Still if you've got whoever sent it to you to mark it as a gift or sample even if they do check you'll be OK as very few games cost over ?36.Originally posted by charlie angelComment
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gossi (loved your writing for Digitiser, BTW - hope your master is treating you better these daysOriginally posted by gossi the dog
), what do you mean when you say that the Post Ofice will charge VAT and handling, and not import duty, on games? Does this apply to games sent via air mail that haven't been marked down, and how large are the charges?
Ta...Comment
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I've only ever been caught on one occasion. The item was sent via standard airmail so instead of being delivered to my door by the postman as it should have I got a note telling me that I had a fee to pay and to go down the local sorting office to pay it and then pick up the item. On the package there was a bill. VAT was charged at the standard rate of 17.5% on the value marked on the customs form and in addition to that the post office charged a ?3.75 handling charge (couriers such as Fedex will charge a much larger fee btw)
Anyway when importing the majority of items into the UK that have avalue equal or greater to ?18 you have to pay A) Import duty B)VAT on the cost of the good plus the import duty and C) a handling charge.
However I don't think there's any duty on videogames (which would explain me not being charged). I remember a few years ago someone within the government suggested abolishing import duty on games and I suppose they've gone ahead with it.
I hope that helpsComment
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Thanks gossi, that's very useful.
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