Import duties on spares from the US
Discussion
Does anyone know what import duties would apply if buying a 1930s gearbox for a British bike, from a private seller in the US?
We've bought a 'box and it's arrived but Parcel Force want £200+ (roughly 20% of what we paid in total including shipping) to release it for VAT, import duties etc.
If it needs paying it needs paying - it's a really rare part we've been looking for, for years. But I wasn't sure if VAT applies to used/vintage parts? Just seems a lot of money!
We've bought a 'box and it's arrived but Parcel Force want £200+ (roughly 20% of what we paid in total including shipping) to release it for VAT, import duties etc.
If it needs paying it needs paying - it's a really rare part we've been looking for, for years. But I wasn't sure if VAT applies to used/vintage parts? Just seems a lot of money!
Firstly, I'm no expert on this, and what I'm about to say is at least 2nd hand if not worse but...
I think if the parts can be classed as "pieces of historical interest" (and I suspect a 1930s gearbox could) then the rate should be 5% VAT and no import duty. I think that if the paperwork has not identified the parts as being of historical interest then it's a case of paying the 20% then trying to get the 15% back again! Expect a long process!
All of the above is separate to the handling charge that the Courier adds.
I think if the parts can be classed as "pieces of historical interest" (and I suspect a 1930s gearbox could) then the rate should be 5% VAT and no import duty. I think that if the paperwork has not identified the parts as being of historical interest then it's a case of paying the 20% then trying to get the 15% back again! Expect a long process!
All of the above is separate to the handling charge that the Courier adds.
Yep as above it sounds like it's been charged the full rate of VAT - if it was new you'd expect something like this commodity to apply: https://www.trade-tariff.service.gov.uk/commoditie...
But whether that's appropriate for used parts, or if you could apply historic like K1 says, I'm not sure! They seem to make this kind of thing deliberately complicated.
But whether that's appropriate for used parts, or if you could apply historic like K1 says, I'm not sure! They seem to make this kind of thing deliberately complicated.
black-k1 said:
Firstly, I'm no expert on this, and what I'm about to say is at least 2nd hand if not worse but...
I think if the parts can be classed as "pieces of historical interest" (and I suspect a 1930s gearbox could) then the rate should be 5% VAT and no import duty. I think that if the paperwork has not identified the parts as being of historical interest then it's a case of paying the 20% then trying to get the 15% back again! Expect a long process!
All of the above is separate to the handling charge that the Courier adds.
Thanks. I've asked the seller what he marked it as when he sent it. Ultimately we'd have still bought it if it was £200 more than we paid, but it would be nice to know we're not over paying on import bits and pieces!I think if the parts can be classed as "pieces of historical interest" (and I suspect a 1930s gearbox could) then the rate should be 5% VAT and no import duty. I think that if the paperwork has not identified the parts as being of historical interest then it's a case of paying the 20% then trying to get the 15% back again! Expect a long process!
All of the above is separate to the handling charge that the Courier adds.
srob said:
black-k1 said:
Firstly, I'm no expert on this, and what I'm about to say is at least 2nd hand if not worse but...
I think if the parts can be classed as "pieces of historical interest" (and I suspect a 1930s gearbox could) then the rate should be 5% VAT and no import duty. I think that if the paperwork has not identified the parts as being of historical interest then it's a case of paying the 20% then trying to get the 15% back again! Expect a long process!
All of the above is separate to the handling charge that the Courier adds.
Thanks. I've asked the seller what he marked it as when he sent it. Ultimately we'd have still bought it if it was £200 more than we paid, but it would be nice to know we're not over paying on import bits and pieces!I think if the parts can be classed as "pieces of historical interest" (and I suspect a 1930s gearbox could) then the rate should be 5% VAT and no import duty. I think that if the paperwork has not identified the parts as being of historical interest then it's a case of paying the 20% then trying to get the 15% back again! Expect a long process!
All of the above is separate to the handling charge that the Courier adds.
black-k1 said:
srob said:
black-k1 said:
Firstly, I'm no expert on this, and what I'm about to say is at least 2nd hand if not worse but...
I think if the parts can be classed as "pieces of historical interest" (and I suspect a 1930s gearbox could) then the rate should be 5% VAT and no import duty. I think that if the paperwork has not identified the parts as being of historical interest then it's a case of paying the 20% then trying to get the 15% back again! Expect a long process!
All of the above is separate to the handling charge that the Courier adds.
Thanks. I've asked the seller what he marked it as when he sent it. Ultimately we'd have still bought it if it was £200 more than we paid, but it would be nice to know we're not over paying on import bits and pieces!I think if the parts can be classed as "pieces of historical interest" (and I suspect a 1930s gearbox could) then the rate should be 5% VAT and no import duty. I think that if the paperwork has not identified the parts as being of historical interest then it's a case of paying the 20% then trying to get the 15% back again! Expect a long process!
All of the above is separate to the handling charge that the Courier adds.
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