Customs Charges on ...
 

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[Closed] Customs Charges on Multiple Small Packages

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Posts: 71
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Topic starter
 

Wanting to buy some small 9g servos from China with associated cables and what not. About £80-£100 worth at a guess. Most sellers on AliExpress want to charge £50+ postage once you up quantities, whilst £10 orders are post free.

Are there potential ramifications of ordering 8-10 packages? Do you think customs would be more interested in charging me a small fortune if they notice, thinking I'm trying to evade charges or sommat? Will they give a shit? Should I stagger my orders slightly?


 
Posted : 08/11/2015 10:24 pm
Posts: 43345
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Are you saying that you're trying to dodge a legitimate tax?

Naughty boy. 😆


 
Posted : 08/11/2015 10:30 pm
Posts: 71
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Topic starter
 

No, I'm genuinely not. I'm trying to avoid exorbitant shipping fees. I don't want to have to pay 8 lots of fees (as the handling fee is the bulk of it!) because I've split the order.

Happy to pay due fees, although I think I'd be under the threshold at £80? but I don't want HMRC thinking I'm trying to pull a fast one and charging me a fortune!


 
Posted : 08/11/2015 11:13 pm
Posts: 5559
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do you not just have 8 mates who you can send one each to ?

I have done multiple orders from CHina and had them all turn up on the same day - three was the most then 2 the next day all without issue

I dont think it will arise more suspicion but who knows as mine did have different labels/packing.


 
Posted : 08/11/2015 11:17 pm
Posts: 71
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Topic starter
 

After trawling the pages of AliExpress and eBay I found a seller who don't load the shipping costs! Slightly more expensive on the individual items, but an easier solution.


 
Posted : 09/11/2015 6:38 am
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Anything over £15 is VATable (unless a "gift", then it's over £36). VAT charged on the goods price+shipping+import duty total. Then there's the "handling charge".

Or you might be lucky and not get charged.

Import duty isn't applied on stuff below £135 so you're OK there.

https://www.gov.uk/goods-sent-from-abroad/tax-and-duty


 
Posted : 09/11/2015 8:05 am
Posts: 1329
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80-100 ??

Any reason you are not getting some cheap ones?
Hobbyking and UK warehouse should get you some at a few quid each.


 
Posted : 09/11/2015 8:20 am

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