Buying from China - HMRC Import Duties

[Smiler.]

Looking for a bit of advice on sourcing components from China via Ali Express.

After a fruitless search for some electromechanical components from UK/Europe, it seems I'm going to have to look to China.

(There is a company that initially seems legit based in Oz, but there is a lot of bad press about them so going to avoid).


Anyway, the suppliers of Ali Express all state that they will mark-down the value of the kit for import duty purposes etc.

They also state they offer free P&P via China Post or I can pay extra for TNT/FedEx.


So my question is to anyone importing stuff in a similar way - how do you do it?

I'd rather get everything above board from the outset. The order value could be in the region of 60 pieces per year with a value of £900 including delivery.


Does one approach HMRC direct? Do the carrier sort it out & then add a change (which they may get wrong).


Also, is Ali Express English for "kiss your money goodbye"?


Thanks in advance.

[Nickyboy]

I've bought many things from Aliexpress

The highest value was around £400, not once have i been charged duties. Every supplier i ordered from put a very low value on the paperwork. Not by my request i might add, they did it off their own backs.

[Phateuk]

Nickyboy said:

I've bought many things from Aliexpress

The highest value was around £400, not once have i been charged duties. Every supplier i ordered from put a very low value on the paperwork. Not by my request i might add, they did it off their own backs.

I've had the same, I think it helps them at their end as well. I once ordered from Hong Kong and it came marked as "educational equipment"

[JaFool1]

Smiler. You have mail

[Smiler.]

JaFool1 said:

Smiler. You have mail

Thanks Danny.

Pretty much exactly why I want to avoid the vendors standard service.

I've sent you a PM with the part I'm after but funnily enough, the electronics manufacturing chap who builds for us has suggested we develop our own.

[Dejay1788]

If you have to pay duty on whatever it is you're importing, if you are using TNT, or Fedex they will pay the import tax and then bill you. DHL will hold your shipment in Hong Kong and email you for payment before releasing your shipment.