Tax & Customs from abroad online orders

[nicmo]

Hello, could someone shed some light on the issue. Do UK citizens pay any tax on items ordered from amainhobbies.com for example a 100£ order?
Does the package get retained in customs at all above certain value?

[DCM]

I think you get charged on all items over £18.

Then it is 8%+20%+handling fee.

That's import duty ontop of goods value and postage, add them together then calculate vat, then parcelforce will charge you to.

[percymon]

Every time i buy from the USA I get caught for import duty, unless its a very small package of low value (you'd expect these to be void anyway). Its the reason I hardly buy from US sellers, and I've found that they will not declare a false value ont he declaration. Only buy fromt he Us if you are happy with the price after adding on all the duties; if you escape charges its a bonus in my experience.

In contrast I've only been caught for import duty once when buying from Far East sellers, including a Tamiya Bruiser, Vajra and some large parts orders. Most of my items from the far east have been falsely declared, by the seller, not be my request.

[bodgit]

Depending on what you are buying what happens if its faulty and needs replacing. You have to pay to send it back and then probably the tax and royal mail will hit you with the same charges again if its not declared a replacement.

[JonyNitro]

Anything over £14 will incur fees' and guaranteed from Amain so around £18/24 you fee will be

[julianb]

I gather that US sellers tend not to make false declarations as it's a federal offence with severely heavy penalties.