Import VAT

[119]

Just ordered and had delivered a few parts for the old Scoob from Japan, and was fully expecting to have to pay VAT on the amount before they were delivered, however, RM have just delivered and gone without any mention.

Will i be getting an invoice from HMRC for the VAT or is that it?

[I am alright Jack]

The same has happened to me a few times and I've only ever been charged before delivery.

So I would say, un-expertly, probably not.

[RazerSauber]

I shipped in a welder once from Spain. A few days after delivery I got a notice saying I needed to pay for a package. Only £5 or so. I paid it and was delivered an empty jiffy bag. I assumed this was the import fees.

[119]

Cheers.

The value was £120 so no import fees were due but I am sure I should be paying vat on the parts and delivery.

I’ll sit tight and see what shows up in the post.

[Speed Badger]

If it's over £135 you will be charged VAT, under £135 if it's been bought via an online trading platform of some kind VAT will likely be inclusive. I just bought a JDM G shock watch from a Japanese marketplace and value translated at £129, I didn't pay any fees so you should be good.

[119]

Ah ok thanks.

It was from Amayama, and they seem to be able to source parts that otherwise one could have trouble getting.

Must say, they do seem to be quite reasonably priced compared to many and they weren't actually due for delivery until the 12th.

[fourthpedal]

Speed Badger said:

If it's over £135 you will be charged VAT, under £135 if it's been bought via an online trading platform of some kind VAT will likely be inclusive. I just bought a JDM G shock watch from a Japanese marketplace and value translated at £129, I didn't pay any fees so you should be good.

Under £135 the seller should charge VAT... but many don't, and I hear that there's no enforcement.

The EU has a similar rule that foreign sellers have to charge VAT. But most countries actually enforce it and will perform customs processing the old-fashioned way if it wasn't paid, or as often happens if the seller did charge it but messed up the paperwork.

[119]

Fron the paperwork I have which shows all the costs, the only breakdown from the total is the shipping cost from what I can work out.

It is all mainly in Japanese however!

[JamesW]

Seems to be a complete gamble importing stuff these days - some weeks you'll get a parcel and there will be import duties on it. A few weeks later, the next parcel with the same contents turns up - and no charges.

If you don't get an invoice before or during delivery - you won't get one