Customs duty on imported craft book

[babycat]

I've ordered a Japanese pattern book to attempt to make some clothes for my daughter and myself. They have been raved about on so many craft blogs that I have come across and they have such simple but pretty designs in them. Anyway, what I'd like to know is whether anyone else has done this and what customs duty they had to pay. It's coming from an ebay seller in Japan and is costing what equates to about £12.00. Hope someone can help .

Go to hmrc.gov.uk and use the search facility.

when I've ordered stuff from the US it's varied - small packages sent by post (one book, one tshirt, a few baby clothes) haven't attracted duty, but big things and things sent by courier always seem to.

It's usually a proportion of the value, 33% tops I think. It shouldn't cost more than the actual thing though!

biggest cost is the courier ime - i think the post office charge something like £12 on top of customs for a processing fee! make sure you know who is delivering it and what they charge

If they put "gift" on it, it might not be subject to charges but sometimes customs randomly pick "gift" packets in order to check, but in that case all that would happen would be you'd end up paying the percentage import duty.

I've heard it's like that for courier stuff too (holds breath re: how 2 norah gaughan knitting books are being shipped right now..eeek) - post office asks for ransom

whats the book? i havent wasted any money on stuff i wont use for at least 24 hours......

Thanks for all your replies. Didn't manage to get back to check replies and then forgot I'd posted .

hf128219 I did look on hmrc site but couldn't fathom out how much it would be as there doesn't seem to be a clear cut figure. I think as it is under £18 it won't be too bad but I think I will have to pay 7% minimum and then maybe more for a handling fee if they open it.

The book is MOM & GIRL NATURAL CLOTHES & GOODS- Japanese Craft Book from Ebay. It's coming by airmail so I'm assuming Royal Mail will put a card through my door when it arrives and I'll have to go and get it from the sorting office.

I hope it's not 33% kitbit or £12 milknosugar!

I'll let you all know when I get it in 2-3 weeks time in case you want to waste some money too .

I don't suppose anyone knows whether there is anywhere in the UK where you can buy these pattern books by mail order?