Importing Leica stuff to the UK

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I'm in the UK and want to purchase a Leica lens from someone in the USA. Neither of us is a dealer.

Can anyone say whether I will get charged customs duty and/or VAT if I do so?

I once bought a camera from the USA without giving the matter a thought, and no charge was raised; however, I then bought a lens of modest value and was whacked for about £60. I tried to look into the legalities but they were impossibly detailed and tedious.

Any advice or experience from anyone?

-- Paul Hart (paulhart@blueyonder.co.uk), May 07, 2002

Answers

Paul,

If its coming in by regular mail, it depends on the size of the package (i.e. whether it attracts their attention), declared value (I think gifts under £30 or so are tax free), and whose sorting the packages (over the internet I've heard being charged duty is real hit and miss so this is all I an put it down to).

My understanding is that above £30 (or so it used to be this years back) you should be charged duty on the total amount of cost+shipping+insurance, then VAT on the figure after duty has been added. So yes you pay 17.5% tax on the duty tax. Thats why it can soon rack up. I would say that unless the deal is real good or your a gambler (and willing to bet) it's not worth the potential charge you may get hit with.

Sorry for the rambling!

Finally I know that the customs guys when the inspect imported cars (from the US) go on their estimation on the worth and not what you declare (so you couldn't say a new vette was worth $25000), I'm not sure if they do this with packages though.

-- bubble (bubblegrass@yahoo.com), May 07, 2002.


Beware UPS ! They have a nice line in 'guiding' parcels through customs, ensuring the full duty and VAT is paid irrespective of the value, AND charging a handling fee for their 'help'. All charged to the end customer on your doorstep! I think the best you can hope for is have it sent insured, but as a gift, by regular mail, or a carrier that is a little less greedy. Be prepared for a fee and sigh with relief if you don't get charged.

-- Steve Barnett (barnet@globalnet.co.uk), May 07, 2002.

Paul: Buy it in the USA and see if you have a friend coming here and have him/her bring it back. This is the best way short of paying taxes.

-- Albert Knapp MD (albertknappmd@mac.com), May 07, 2002.

I have bought much stuff from USA, I get the seller to mark item and value ie, old lens and $25 (on a 28 elmarit M for example)....No charges but a bit hit or miss.

I once got charged 24 GBP duty and tax on a 30USD hasselblad hood!!!!

Please note my changed name!! To protect the guilty!!

-- Mystery (annony @Mouse.com), May 08, 2002.


Thanks to everyone for your responses. The ignoble art of smuggling is obviously alive and well!

-- Paul Hart (paulhart@blueyonder.co.uk), May 08, 2002.


Phone Customs and Excise help line. They will tell you VAT is due at 17.5% plus some other tax at 4.5%.

I bought a battery for my lap top, delivered by UPS, paid VAT + another fee. Took a risk with a 2nd hand lens costing $350 - this came by mail and no VAT levied

-- derek Stringer (whimhowe@classicfm.net), May 11, 2002.


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