Avoiding Import Duty

[Grebbo]

I'm wanting to import 10 watches from Singapore. Is it possible to avoid paying import taxes on them?? I presume packages are randomly checked as customs can't check every package that enters the country. Would using a courier such as UPS help my chances?

Any advice appreciated.

Thanks

[anonymous-user]

Don't even think about it.

You do not want an early morning visit from customs.

[Grebbo]

Spoken from experience?

[Viper]

I've found UPS are the worst for duties nothing slips by compared to other couriers, airmail post is the best for avoiding import taxes, just get it sent insured/signed for

[Eric Mc]

Fraud anyone?

[Grebbo]

Thanks Viper.

So I'll send them via an airmail signed for service. Surely the worst that can happen is they get stopped and I have to pay tax on them. I can just plead ignorance - they'll be sent by a private individual and not a company.

[anonymous-user]

I used to import sportswear and shoes.

Back in the 1980's I had a container of 4000 pairs of shoes held at customs for 3 months without explanation whilst customs "investigated". These shoes being at the fashion end of the trade 3 months was a whole season, so that was any profit on those gone.

We kept phoning, our forwarder kept phoning but no explanation was forthcoming.

Eventually I was called down to Dagenham, taken into a dingy office by two heavy looking customs officers and read my rights.

This was all because my forwarding agent had made an error and entered the wrong tarrif heading on the entry. It took me 2 hours to convince them that it was a genuine mistake.

We got the shoes back eventually, sold them at a loss, incurred 3 months demurrage and changed my forwarding agent.

These people have more powers than the Police. Do not fk about with them. It's not worth it.

My VAT return is never late.

[Wacky Racer]

unrepentant said:

My VAT return is never late.

I agree.....

These guys make the Gestapo look like the teletubbies.......

[anonymous-user]

Wacky Racer said:

unrepentant said: My VAT return is never late. I agree..... These guys make the Gestapo look like the teletubbies.......

I was involved in importing Prince tennis rackets in the early '80's. (Were you a customer Wacky?). Anyway there was a mix up at the accountants and the VAT cheque didn't go off one quarter. Two guys from customs just turned up at our warehouse in High Wycombe one day. Scary? I'll tell you what - I'd rather have owed the money to the Kray Twins!

[aceparts_com]

I've been chased up by Customs regarding importing. You would be absolutely amazed at the information they obtain.

Just a quick inspection to make sure you understand your duties ref importing...

HMCE had details of EVERY and I mean EVERY parcel that had entered my premises from outside the uk regardless of the means in which it arrived.

Mr Man simply pulled out a few from the list, asked me to show him the invoices, then asked me to show him the payment (to make sure a low invoice cost hadn't been entered), and then checked the 8 or 10 digit commodity code to check that the correct duty had been paid.

Now this man knew his stuff. He knew that an acrylic lens attracted 2.4% duty where as a glass lens was only 1.6% and any mix up between the two goes ONLY in the HMCE favour (anything in my favour has to be claimed for seperately).

Anyway, long story short, he spent five hours at my desk and a further five at his office writing up a report.
Total fine £19 of which the UK gets to keep £1.90

Anyway, regardless of who acts as your agent (DHL, UPS Etc.) Buck stops at you.

Mr Man is now on my Christmas card list!

[Plotloss]

They're warranty items arent they??