Getting shafted by import tax

[xavier]

Okay I'm getting a little worried now.

Got some wheels coming from America, and they're insured for $300. I got the nice couple on the other end to write "Gift - for cousin Xavier" on the outside of the box, but now I'm thinking that isn't going to make the slightest bit of difference.

How much could I potentially have to pay? Had $180 worth of aerobars last week (they were brand new) and that was £31.95 and I had to pick them up from the ParcelBastard depot

cheers

Xav

[hubby74]

Don't get me started, I got done for more than that on 4 gel bottles which I only paid $48 for.

4.7% of the (cost+insurance+shipping) and then the VAT which is 17.5% of the lot (ie cost+insurance+shipping+import tax) and then £20ish Parcelforce fees.

[andys]

For my Zipp wheels:
Value of goods £804
Duty £120
VAT £163
Admin £8
Total £1095 - about £100 MORE than the UK price.

[xavier]

I'm going to get rinsed aren't I

[tritraveller]

Sadly this is much the same for your local supplier, they don't get away with these fees, its just a smaller amount... its one reason why prices are higher in the UK.

Blame the govenrment, after all they've hosed everything else... the only things that get in free are the people coming to take your jobs... Will the last one out turn off the light.

[hubby74]

Or the other way of looking at it is that the only reason that we still have several million people working in manufacturing at all in this country is due to the moderately high levels of import duty. And if import duty was lower then that tax would either have to be raised from somewhere elsewhere or services cut.

And I think 99% of the population would suggest anyone seriously complaining about the affordability of import duty on the basis of £300+ carbon fibre cycle wheels is a little shallow in the big picture. We live in a country which has set the duty at those levels. It's a luxury item (ie non essential) so either be prepared to pay, or don't buy them. I agree the Parcelforce bit is OTT, but you can't really complain about the duty IMHO.

Sorry for the smite inducing rant ;-)

[andys]

It's not paying the tax that was the problem, it's the way the calculated it and the subsequent debate about it that followed. I was of the understanding, and was ready to be corrected with sensible explanation, that bike parts were taxed at 5% whereas I got taxed at 15%. But the discussion with the import people was about as complex as:

Them: Yeah, that's the tax.
Me: Yes, I understand that but why's it 15%?
Them: Because you pay tax on imported goods.
Me: Yes, but why 15%? That's import tax for a complete bike and I've only bought a component.
Them: You have to pay tax.
Me: But why 15% and not 5%
Them: Because you're imported them and need to pay tax.

Etc etc.