HMRC rates?

BigJimmyB

Hi all,

Am thinking of buying a frame from the USA, say for approx £1100.

Does anyone have an idea on how much I'd have to pay to import it?

I've had a good poke around on the web, but can't find anything definitive.

Thanks in advance

BJB

IBISMojoHDamon

Send a frame to them, fill in a customs declaration form saying you bought it in the UK, it's going back for repair or respray, get the bike shop to use the same box, pay no import duty.... :0)

cooldad

Awesome idea, suggest that both parties commit a bit of fraud and tax evasion.

IBISMojoHDamon

The beauty in free thought... Big Jimmy can do as he pleases... I would suggest you went and counted railway sleepers on the mainline to London, unfortunately I think you will chose to not take up my suggestion....

cat_with_no_tail

AFAIK, you'd be looking at import duty of 4.7%, and then VAT of 20%.

For a frame costing £1,100 (and allowing another £70 for shipping and insurance) You'd pay a total landed cost of around £1,500. That inclides an extra £10 for Royal Mails handling charge.

That's £55 on top of your original £1,170 for import duty = £1,225
Then 20% VAT on that = £245
£1,225 + £245 + £10 = £1,480

That's assuming I've got the import duty right. Which I'm pretty sure I have.

I'd not suggest going with the Fraud and tax evasion route, putting aside the fact it's illegal, chances are you'd be hard pushed to find a reputable seller who'd agree to it, and the sort of seller that's happy to rip-off the tax man may not be someone you want to deal with, especially when they're half way round the world with no fear of any reprisal from you.

cooldad

Yeah I remembered it as being around 5% so 4.7% seems scientific enough.

As for freedom of thought, I believe that's what Gary Glitter said to his 'friends'.

cat_with_no_tail

Just searched for it, and came back with the following site which may be of some use to the OP.

http://www.dutycalculator.com/

I've just had a quick play around with it and it's actually really good, very detailed. They have a massive list of different products, they even have 2 seperate options for bike frames. 1 is with paint or anodizing, the other is without.
I checked and it seems they say a finished frame is at 4.7% duty, and an un-finished one is at 4.5%

BigJimmyB

Thanks all,

CWNT, excellent - don't know why I couldn't find that.

I have to keep it legit as that's my preference and that of the seller.

Thanks again
BJB