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.

[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.