UK buyer of pins. Questions about tax

[jennyflower]

I have been looking at pins on ebay and have found some I like but they are all from sellers in the United States. I have been told that they will be taxed to send them to me in the UK. I was wondering if anybody has bought pins online from the US and if so were they taxed and how much did they have to pay? I would be greatfull for any information, thank you

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I know if I sell anything outside the US I will have to put on a Customs Tag describing the items and the total value of the shipment. I, and probably most other honest sellers, will not lie on the forms as it is a Federal crime to do so.

So what you will have to pay to HM Customs on delivery to you depends on what you are buying and the value, as well as exemptions from Duties within the UK.

Note it is not the seller who has to pay the Duties, but the buyer who is importing the item(s).

 

[tinkerbells mum]

i've brought 3 lots of pins from e-bay from different US sellers, each one came through the post with a green customs lable on it and i wasn't charged import duty/tax on any of them. the value was on them, about $20 and a description of what was in the packet

hth xx

 

[jennyflower]

Thanks you have been a great help. The pins are only going to be costing a couple of dollars so Idid not want to be stung with a huge extra tax bill to pay.

 

[cioc1212]

Hi ! As a longterm online seller, I think when you say tax you mean customs fees. Look at your sellers feedback and pick carefully. TALK TO THEM ahead of time and let them know that they should be careful with the value on the customs label because most probably do NOT know that you pay tax based on what they put. Many won't lower the value for you, some will. The value on the green post office ticket that gets filled out is STRICTLY for customs, its not insurance and it should NOT include shipping costs. So if you pay $8 for an item and $12 in shipping, the value should be $8 or lower, not $20.

I always value it at MY cost or what I would consider a replacement cost. But that's me.....I'm a single mom and I'm cost-concious.

If a seller is obnoxious or won't work with you, don't buy from them. It is never, ever worth it. There's always another seller. Worse comes to worse, find a super nice one to buy from and have your other pins from other sellers shipped to them(in the US) and have THEM(nice seller) bundle 'em up all for you as a lot with a lower value. I'd do it for my customers.

Good luck!

 

[jennyflower]

Thank you ebay do not make it very clear on what you end up paying. If I see pins I like now I will email the seller before hand to see what value they will put on the customs form. Who knows I may even find some of your pins to buy!