Buying fabric from America

[pookamoo]

Has anyone had any experience of buying fabric from America, eg via ebay? I would like to order some lovely printed baby cord I have seen on ebay, but just wondering if I am likely to get stung for a huge amount of import tax. Any ideas?

I have also posted this in the Arts and crafts topic in case anyone there can advise.

I think if the seller marks the item as a gift then there won't be any taxes due - but to be honest I'm not sure. I know when I buy from Hong Kong and China all comes marked as a gift and no charges are due.

I would email the specific sellers and ask, what they will mark the package as. I had one USA seller who marked some boots as over £120 and I got stung with high charges - even though I paid only £50 for them. Wasn't impressed with that one, had I known I would have bought elsewhere.

I suppose they do it for insurance purposes. I guess you could get in trouble if it isn't really a gift, though?

Is there some kind of list somewhere showing what rates od tax apply to what items?

There is a list somewhere on the royal mail or customs and excise website that should tell you what you will have to pay. Even if it is a gift you will have to pay a duty charge. Not sure if there is a minimum amount before this kicks in though.

We bought something from America and didn't know we would have to pay anything else which was very annoying but the company we bought from did refund us some money in good faith which was nice of them.