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I'm thinking of buying one of the new hammerhead Karoo GPSs which is $299
Presuming I'll need to pay vat and import duty on that, how would I calculate the total cost? How do I work out the percentages to apply?
Thanks
Thanks a lot
Calculation results
£6.58Import duty:
£48.32Sales tax:
£54.89Total import duty & taxes:
£235.00Cost of product & import:
£289.89Total landed costs:
£ Sterling
Notes on duty & taxes rates
Gps has an import duty rate of 2.8% and VAT rate of 20% . Importation of these articles must comply with labelling requirements (CE marking) and safety standards (Low Voltage Legislation) controlled by European Commission. Please contact regulatory agency for more information. [Some Probability].
Doesn't the courier then charge their own 'admin\release' fee for doing the customs / import work which you have to pay on top in order for it to be released?
Yes, add another £15-£25 on top of that depending on which carrier you use.
The CE marking and low voltage directive probably only apply if you are buying a few and selling them on.
Yes, "handling fee" on top. Nice little earner for couriers.
You used to stand a chance of avoiding any charges at all if sent via USPS as that was more likely come in via Royal Mail (not Parcel Force or other courier) and RM didn't check everything. I used to get away importing a fair few boxes and box sets of DVDs and the like, and similar with camera lenses. Though that was many years ago now. Anything that came in via couriers like UPS or Parcel Force were a guaranteed hit. Some bill you later also, so you get a nice surprise in the post.
Know anyone returning from US? Carry through customs and 99% of the time get away with it. They're only looking for certain targets usually. Just get the receipts mailed back home and maybe the box (or bin the box).
Yeh it'll probably be handled by parcel farce when it lands in the UK, they do most of the customs clearing on imports like that, I got hit with a £20 handling charge.
Pro tip, thier usual method is to hold the goods once cleared and send you a letter with import fees and thier handling charge.
You can check up online, using your tracking number, once it's cleared phone them up and pay over the phone as they won't despatch it until the charges are paid, so if you don't do that it can delay delivery by a week or so.
one other thing to factor is that it will come with a US warranty not a UK/EU one. So basically it will have a limited warranty for 1 year then you are on your own.
I had this with a different device and the manufacturer check the SN then referred me to my original purchase conditions and refused free support.
Depends on the cost difference and if you expect any issues...