Import Duty from USA, any experts? (son's xmas pressie idea)

[AudTheDeepMinded]

Hello you knowledgeable lot!
The facebook CHristmas algo-rhythms are hard at work and an ad for a great online shop has popped up on my feed. I've checked it out and it is legit (learnt that lesson a few years ago with a dogy cardi from China). The shop is based in America. You can buy the items in GBP but the website states that import duty etc is the responsibility of the buyer. So, my question is, how does that work in reality? Do I have to collect it from somewhere and hand over cash to release it? and how will any charges be calculated? I spose I want to know whether it is worth it. I've tried to find UK stockists of the products but no luck.
Can anyone shed any light?

www.royalmail.com/sites/default/files/customs-charges-leaflet--01.01.21.pdf

It might be liable for customs and import duty, depending on the cost. I used to be liable for these charges for a regular delivery, mine was through a courier so I'd get the delivery and an invoice for the fees afterwards - the Royal Mail I think you have to pay upfront to collect it. Does it say how they'll send it?

Warning: I’m not an expert. There are a number of variables like the declared value of the item. The cost of shipping, which needs to declared by the seller. Depending on the amount (I think there’s a minimum but from memory this is low). Those two values could attract import duty. Then there will be VAT on top. Plus depending on the size of the item you will be charged a handling fee by the import agent (like FedEx) or the Post Office (from memory about £8 the last time I was charged it). If it’s the PO they won’t deliver, they’ll leave card for you to collect from the sorting office and pay all of the charges there.

Long story short: be wary and decide whether those potential costs will make it worth it. Personally, I think ordering something from the States could be cutting it a bit fine for Christmas

I've delved a bit deeper on the website and it is based in Australia! Thank you for the link, I think it means that any commercial purchase under £135 is not liable for duty/taxes. I think I will give it a go and see what happens!

Under £135 and you pay VAT on the total (including postage) at the checkout. That's it.

Over £135 and you pay just the purchase price and postage at the checkout. Customs duty (on price plus postage) and VAT (on price + postage + customs duty) will be payable when the item has arrived in the UK, and before you can receive it. There is generally an admin fee to pay as well; this varies depending on which UK service takes over. They pay customs to release the parcel, then you reimburse them and pay their (rip-off) additional fee for their trouble. Rates of tax and duty depend on the nature of the goods.

www.gov.uk/goods-sent-from-abroad/tax-and-duty

If you have family or friends in that country, get it sent to them (or arrange for them to buy it on your behalf) and they can then wrap it and send it through customs marked as a Christmas gift.

I've imported tons of stuff from the US.

More often than not, international deliveries come via Royal Mail. Royal Mail will put a "something for you" -type of card through the door and you can pay online then they'll deliver to you usually. You have to pay VAT but also a handling fee and it's about as clear as mud as to which things you have to pay for and which are exempt but it shouldn't cost more than about £25 to import.

I don't understand the UK Gov page, where it says "If you bought the goods yourself and they are not excise goods, the seller will have included VAT in the total you paid."

Surely not every online company in the entire world has signed up to collect VAT on behalf of the UK government? I thought there was such a scheme that foreign companies could opt into, but surely it won't be all online companies?

Only gifts worth up to £39 are exempt. From £39 to £135, VAT is due (plus handling charge). If worth over £135, both VAT and Customs Duty are due.

Worth noting that the £39 exemption limit also includes the cost to post it in the first place! I got caught out so often with that

Remember the killer is the handling charge courier firms had for collecting the tax, it's often more than the tax of the product is worth!

Update: Parcel arrived by courier and no extra charges were incurred at all. I'm impressed!