Importing

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I want to import a linux t-shirt from the American site-ThinkGeek as it's the only place I can find that stocks this particular one,it's only £8 if I remember correctly [used xe.com to convert from $ to £],but the problem is,customs tax.
Does anyone know if any customs tax is automatically added to goods of such a low price when importing from the UK? if so,how much would it be?
I have bought imported [from America] NFL jerseys before,but only from UK sellers on ebay who deal with the importing and tax issues,so it doesn't affect me.

I know some countries do allow a limit value of around £30 before tax is added on,but I've never been able to find good information on buying from America to England before,a lot of people I've asked who have imported several NFL jerseys told me they never got requests for tax as customs are very random with how they check goods,but I do not want to risk it.


Has anyone here ever imported anything before [legal,that is]?

Well, it's generally pot luck but HMRC can start extorting - sorry, charging you customs duty once the price of the goods reaches £18 or over. Oh, and add on the disgusting charge Royal Fail take from you for telling you charges need to be paid.

£8 plus postage should be ok, but I'm not promising to pay the difference if wrong!

From time to time I've done this with products I simply can't source in the UK,
(My fault for knowing about them at all, I suppose) and just occasionally for products that were cheaper even allowing for the potential VAT + post office fee (Which is then very nice when it DOESN'T get charged)

I've had big and expensive stuff come through unchallenged, and quite small ones taxed.

The hit rate appears to be about 50% unless it's a very expensive item, and you should calculate for 17.5% vat from the Excise plus a flat rate £8 collection fee from the Parcels.
And make sure it's sent somewhere where there's someone to collect/pay (though with the last one they sent me a letter to say they were holding it, and would I like to pay over the phone etc... That was a new trick)

I think they are slightly caught: historically most imports would have been through businesses, with significant individual volumes, but increasingly large volumes (as a national total) of small and irregular amounts are being shipped to private individuals because of internet and mail order. There it's a nice call whether the return is worth the cost of collecting, though Parcel Force does seem to be on a nice little earner.

It may pay to avoid them by sticking with airmail letter rate if it's not too extortionate.

17.5% VAT + 3.5% Import Duty + whatever choice the PO/courier lands you with.