Import duties on books??

[snow_imp]

Does anyone know whether I need to pay import duty on books ordered from the US?

[Di Sandland]

They do not attract VAT, so in theory they shouldn't attract import duties but that doesn't mean they won't try to levy it.

[snow_imp]

Thanks Di - I'll see what happens.

[ben b]

There is a list of duty rates for all items, available on the customs and excise web site. Each type of item has a unique code, and there are many veriants, for example trainers: there is "all synthetic", "leather uppers", "all leather", "man made soles"...etc etc...and you get the code, then look up the code for the duty rate.

Duty, is NOT VAT. Duty is a separate import tax, and is charged on all items, though the charge may be nil, depending on its code, all items have a code.

You then pay, as follows:

1) customs duty, based on the price of the goods, for that code (which may be nil).
2) if the carriage is insured, duty on the insurance element.
3) VAT on the whole lot, including VAT on the duty.

This will vary, depending on whether the goods are vatable, and/or duty applicable, or combinations of this.

Also, many parcels are not even checked, due to sheer volume, SO if the person sending is a regular person, that is, not a company, who affix invoices to the outer box, and sent it through customs channels, but just use regular post, its hit and miss whether YOUR parcel is one of the ones picked for interception, to check if duty is payable.

[snow_imp]

Thanks Ben, I'll be having a look at the customs site later today

[MuranoSilver]

Great info Ben! I didn't know how it worked either
but I do now!