If you’ve purchased items from abroad worth over £135, there’s a good chance you’ll have to pay customs fees before you can bring them into the country. This can be frustrating, especially if you were unaware of the import duty rules prior to making a purchase. In this article, we’ll be exploring how to reduce those charges and, in some cases, avoid them entirely.
So, what are customs charges?
Customs charges are import duty fees imposed on goods brought in from another country. They are enforced to help offset the costs associated with regulating trade and to protect domestic industries from foreign competition. Or, in other words, the UK doesn’t want to be undercut by cheaper foreign products.
Why have I been charged duty?
UK import duty is based on the value of the goods you’re bringing into the country. You’ll need to declare any goods that are over the value of £135 and pay customs duty on them. And if you’re bringing in goods for commercial use, you’ll also need to pay import VAT too.
Do you have to pay import duty on gifts?
Luckily, there’s no import duty on gifts, but there may be a customs fee to pay. This fee will depend on the value of the gift and the country it’s being sent from. Usually, it’s about £8 if delivered by Royal Mail.
Just so you know, the UK government considers parcels to be gifts if the recipient specifies that it’s a gift on the customs declaration. Also, the package should be sent from one person to another for any appropriate occasion. For example, a birthday or an anniversary.
How do you calculate import duty in the UK?
You can calculate import duty using our free online import duty tool. The factors that influence how much you’ll have to pay include the value of the goods, the weight, and how they’ve been imported (for example: by post or freight). Generally, the total cost of these fees will be around 10% of the item’s value.
How to pay customs charges in the UK
If you have to pay customs duty or import VAT, you’ll need to pay this before your goods can be released from customs. You can pay UK duty online using the government’s online payment service. Alternatively, you can pay by phone or at the post office.
When in doubt, this Gov.uk page has all the details you’ll need to get in touch.
What if I’ve already completed a customs declaration?
If you’ve used the customs declarations service, you can pay any outstanding fees immediately using the customs declaration payment gateway.
Doesn’t the Royal Mail handling fee cover customs duty?
Royal Mail has a handling fee of £8 for items that are not classed as documents. This covers their fees and the cost of processing the items. Unfortunately, it doesn’t include the customs duties or other additional costs.
So, what can you do to reduce or avoid UK customs duty?
Well, the good news is that there are several things you can do to reduce or avoid customs duties.
Firstly, try to keep the value of your items low. And remember, the item’s value is based on how much it would cost to buy it in the UK.
You can also try to bring in items that are not taxable. These include some types of food, clothing, and medical supplies.
Some items are actually exempt from import costs. These include gifts worth less than £39 and books, CDs, and DVDs for personal use.
Finally, you can try to get customs duty relief. This special exemption allows you to bring in certain items without having to pay VAT or customs duty.
You can also reduce or avoid customs charges by using a customs broker. They are likely to have knowledge about the courier or freight company you’re using and may be able to help you avoid paying import duty or taxes. But, there will be broker handling fees to consider.
How to avoid customs charges from USA to UK
If you’re importing from the USA to the UK, your item must be less than £22 in value, and it must be a type of item that’s allowed into the country. The item must also be packed in a way that doesn’t violate UK customs rules on safety, labelling, and packaging.
Can I reclaim delivery costs and import fees?
If you’ve bought and item from an EU retailer in the last 365 days, you may be eligible for a refund on the import duty and VAT. We can help you get your refund quickly and easily. Fill out our online form, and we’ll take care of the rest.
We’ve successfully processed hundreds of claims. Our average refund is £250. Our experts will handle everything on your behalf and make it hassle-free. Join our satisfied customers by filling out our online form!