oakleys from usa - import tax?

clunkychunky

im looking at getting a pair of oakley hybrids and the best deals i have found is getting them from the usa via ebay (i know i know, risky, but over 2000+ feedback, so genuine...i hope).
thing im concerned about is import tax. does any one have any idea if i will be charged when they are delivered? (they are £90)

optimisticbiker

In theory you would be charged VAT and import tax (have a look on HMRC website, theres a list somewhere). In practice many people seem to get away without paying if its a small item in a jiffy bag sent by post and not by courier. If it goes via a courier there's more chance of getting charged in my experience but even so its tended to be less than half the time. I've bought quite a lot of electronic components from the US over the years and only been charged the 18% import duty + VAT maybe a handful of times...

Daddy2Coull

Over the years I've bought loads of oakleys from the states and I've never got away without paying tax, even if sent as a gift etc. But they are still cheaper than buying from the uk. But if you're worried about getting fakes or seconds try an online shop called ten-eighty that is based near me in Norwich. They are excellent.

Berk Bonebonce

You pay import duty, VAT and a handling charge. For goods worth £90 you can expect to pay about 30 quid extra. If you ask the supplier to mark the package as 'a gift only worth 5 dollars or so', you are breaking the law and not the supplier.

racingcondor

+1 on TenEighty (http://www.ten-eighty.co.uk/acatalog/Oakley.html) they do seem to be one of the best UK shops for Oakleys.

If the seller in the US is doing things by the book the package will be labelled with product info and if customs sees that then you will be charged VAT etc (as legally you have to).

MountainMonster

You could always ask to have the seller mark it as a gift, and take it out of the packaging so that you have no sign of them being bought. That would void any chance of ever using warranty, but then again, for something worth 90, it's not that important.

martylaa

i've bought loads from the states, ask the seller to mark the value as less than 50 dollars thats it, it will go through no problems anything over 50 dollars will incur the import, vat and the parcelforce fee of 8 quid, always make sure they will mark as less than 50 bucks or don't bother because you'll get stung

Lou_m

Another UK outlet that has some great prices.: http://www.theinternetopticians.co.uk/o ... _c-66.html