Duty charged from China ??

[Showmeheaven]

Hi, has anyone ever ordered Ebay items from China ? Do you have to pay Duty (i.e. same as U.S.).

My DD wants to buy cosplay outfits and I've never ordered anything from the Far East.

Thanks in advance.

Afaik, if you're importing from outside the EU, your parcel may be subject to import taxes. In my experience you can be lucky or unlucky if it gets caught for customs or not.

If it meets a certain threshold (I can't remember - about 20 quid I think - the post office or customs sites have the details) then you've got to pay duty (plus the charge to the post office for collecting he duty )

It applies to anything outside europe I believe.

Here we go:

www.postoffice.co.uk/portal/po/content1?catId=63800711&mediaId=19100260

and

http ://www.hmrc.gov.uk/customs/post/buying.htm

it's 18 quid that's the threshold.

A few years ago lots of stuff got missed, but every parcel I've received in the last couple of years has been checked and charged

Last update - it's more complicated

VAT threshold is 18, customs is 120, and they waive customs duty under 7 pounds:

All other goods

If you order or send purchased goods other than alcohol, tobacco, perfume and toilet water from a country outside the EU then you:

• don't have to pay Excise Duty
• may have to pay Customs Duty on goods with a value that exceeds £120
• will have to pay Import VAT on goods with a value that exceeds £18

Note that on all goods from outside the EU, Customs Duty is waived if the amount of duty calculated is £7 or under.