Do you have to pay import tax on guitars parts from the USA?

[dirtycow]

Hi all,
As subject. I want to buy a bridge for my Danelectro from ebay.com. I
think all in it would cost me about $60 (which according to XE.com is
about £35). Am i likely to incur import taxes if I bought from the USA?
If so, it may just be worth stumping up another £10 and getting it from
Allparts UK.

Unless anyones selling a Danelectro U3 bridge of course??

Matt

[djlewis]

anything over £18 is liable to duty, unless its used and not from a retailer

Post by dirtycow
Hi all,
As subject. I want to buy a bridge for my Danelectro from ebay.com. I
think all in it would cost me about $60 (which according to XE.com is
about £35). Am i likely to incur import taxes if I bought from the USA?
If so, it may just be worth stumping up another £10 and getting it from
Allparts UK.
Unless anyones selling a Danelectro U3 bridge of course??
Matt

[James Weston]

If it's used it is still liable to duty, as is also the case if it is not
from a retailer. If it is marked as a gift however the value has to exceed
£36 (IIRC) before it becomes liable to duty.
Beware - it is not actually the duties that cause the expense on these
small items but the handling charges taken by the carrier, e.g. the Royal
Mail (Royal Mail deal at this end with mail sent by USPS from the States ,
which is the cheapest option). Royal Mail charges £8 just to to hand it over
to customs if liable for duty , which can be a lot less than the postage to
fly it over the Atlantic!
James

Post by djlewis
anything over £18 is liable to duty, unless its used and not from a retailer

Post by dirtycow
Hi all,
As subject. I want to buy a bridge for my Danelectro from ebay.com. I
think all in it would cost me about $60 (which according to XE.com is
about £35). Am i likely to incur import taxes if I bought from the USA?
If so, it may just be worth stumping up another £10 and getting it from
Allparts UK.
Unless anyones selling a Danelectro U3 bridge of course??
Matt

[James Weston]

The value £18 (or £36 in the case of a gift) are for the declared item value
PLUS the shipping cost, i.e. the total amount you paid the seller.
James

Post by James Weston
If it's used it is still liable to duty, as is also the case if it is not
from a retailer. If it is marked as a gift however the value has to exceed
£36 (IIRC) before it becomes liable to duty.
Beware - it is not actually the duties that cause the expense on these
small items but the handling charges taken by the carrier, e.g. the Royal
Mail (Royal Mail deal at this end with mail sent by USPS from the States ,
which is the cheapest option). Royal Mail charges £8 just to to hand it over
to customs if liable for duty , which can be a lot less than the postage to
fly it over the Atlantic!
James

Post by djlewis
anything over £18 is liable to duty, unless its used and not from a

retailer

Post by djlewis

Post by dirtycow
Hi all,
As subject. I want to buy a bridge for my Danelectro from ebay.com. I
think all in it would cost me about $60 (which according to XE.com is
about £35). Am i likely to incur import taxes if I bought from the USA?
If so, it may just be worth stumping up another £10 and getting it from
Allparts UK.
Unless anyones selling a Danelectro U3 bridge of course??
Matt

[Chris Bolus]

On Sat, 10 Jul 2004 10:51:47 +0100, "djlewis"

Post by djlewis
anything over £18 is liable to duty, unless its used and not from a retailer

Post by dirtycow
Hi all,
As subject. I want to buy a bridge for my Danelectro from ebay.com. I
think all in it would cost me about $60 (which according to XE.com is
about £35). Am i likely to incur import taxes if I bought from the USA?
If so, it may just be worth stumping up another £10 and getting it from
Allparts UK.
Unless anyones selling a Danelectro U3 bridge of course??
Matt

If the seller marks the package "auction goods" they are not usually
charged.