Customs And Excise Duty, Import Vat When Ordering From Japan To The Uk

[Sach]

How often do people get charged on ordering from Japan to a UK address? I've just bought my first Japanese pens, to a total of around $630. How likely is it that I'll have to pay customs/excise, import VAT?

Edited May 7, 2014 by Sach

[Guernseytim]

I've bought photography stuff from the US before, sometimes customs stop it and fleece me, sometimes they don't.

 

Sometimes couriers are prepaid import taxes by the vendor.

[Bo Bo Olson]

yep, that much will catch some one's eye...and then that much is worth doing the paper work on.

[Dubois]

I think a lot depends on what the seller declares on the Customs Form. I buy a lot of things from China, where it is usual to declare things as a "Gift" and understate the value. Only once have I had to pay VAT (on the value of the goods and the shipping cost) and the dreaded Post Office administration fee (£8).

 

In my experience stuff from China gets through without charge; stuff from the US does not. My one recent pen shipment from Amazon.uk via Japan which exceeded the Customs limit of £15 (a Pilot Custom 74) escaped charge - the seller declared it as a gift and value $20, which was nice.

 

I doubt you will be so lucky, so I would expect a 20% VAT surcharge and an admin fee from your delivery agent.

[alc3261]

I found stuff from Japan often got through but I've been charged the last 4 times.

[Sach]

I found stuff from Japan often got through but I've been charged the last 4 times.

What's the maximum order value that got through?

[alc3261]

£200+