Customs & Excise Taxes - DVDs from Vegas Tutors?

pike_bishop wrote on 5/28/2004, 8:42 AM

Grazie

I've not ordered the DVD's you mention but I have ordered DVD's from the US and Hong Kong and I've never been asked to pay Customs charges, perhaps I'm just lucky. My old boss was charged once for buying DVD's once, I think he had to send customs a cheque before they would release his discs.

Martin

mark2929 wrote on 5/28/2004, 8:56 AM

Thanks for reminding me I have a customs Bill here For Commotion Training.. Tried getting through on the Phone earlier in the week... Just rung em-up now and paid ..

BJ_M wrote on 5/28/2004, 9:58 AM

i found them for $2 in china (the whole dvd collection) --they are a popular item there i was told . Nice chinese cover also. I didn't buy them though there ...

Grazie wrote on 5/28/2004, 4:11 PM

Mark, were you charged a % on the value? How much?

Grazie

mark2929 wrote on 5/29/2004, 5:02 AM

Grazie- Sorry for the delayed reply. went to bed early last night.. This morning went shopping.. Bought shakespeares the Tempest.. Nearly Bought a Guerillas film making handbook ..Cost £25.. Though So I left it...

Umm right the question .I was charged an adminstration Fee and UK VAT !

Grazie wrote on 5/29/2004, 5:35 AM

I know VAT is at 17.5%. How much was the admin fee? And was this added to the net figure prior to adding VAT?

Grazie

mark2929 wrote on 5/29/2004, 5:59 AM

Grazie-I have No idea how the £4.50 administration figure was assessed.. Its actually an invoice from fedex ...So I assume I pay them.. ..They THEN Pay The VAT... Taking a Guess... I would say they Bought it into the Country So they are Liable... They then INVOICE Me and charge for this Service....This ADMIN Fee Is quite likely SET at whatever rate they feel apropriate.... I therefore think its probably best to Use a well Known Courier... I dident realise this Could be A Problem (Its not fair though when you want the boxed version of VEGAS WHY is the Postage so expensive ? You can buy many things imported from America without the enormous Postal Charges) In my Case I have the goods before the Invoice so If I was Upset by the ADMIN Charge I could always refuse Payment..Then Make sure I use another Courier I must say some of the Import Courier charges are Bordering on RIPP OFF ....

The admin charge was added to the net figure.. I was not charged VAT on the admin charge Unless its hidden in the £4.50.

Grazie wrote on 5/29/2004, 6:33 AM

Mark, thank you for your reply,

Grazie

farss wrote on 5/29/2004, 6:37 AM

I can only speak for us down under but having spent over an hour getting something customs cleared myself whatever the couriers charge they earn. Problem was Customs couldn't find a classification for what I'd imported. In the end I paid no duty, only GST but still it was a LONG drive as well so in the end I wasted a whole afternoon.
But I've complained many times about the excessive charges SoFo and now Sony made for OS shipping, It'd be OK if it was a piece of weighty hardware but for a few CDs its absurd.
But apart from that with ANY courier you are liable for their costs once it lands in the country apart from getting it to your door. I'd say the admin fee was charged by customs and the courier is just passing it on which is fair enough. Over here if the item is under AUD 400 then no duty, no GST and no added costs. Seems common sense prevailed in that it would cost more in admin than they'd recover in duty and GST.

Chienworks wrote on 5/29/2004, 6:41 AM

For comparison, i recently mailed a 'bubble pack' package containing 4 CDs in jewel cases to Bosnia (of all places) via air mail from the USA. It arrived in 4 days and only cost $7.49 (US) including export fees and insurance. The package was declared commercial. The weight was 11 ounces (312g). I don't know what the recipient had to pay to accept the package; but i suppose i could ask.

TVCmike wrote on 5/29/2004, 8:35 AM

Same sad story in Canada. Federal sales tax is charged on foreign purchases despite having absolutely nothing to do with the economy here, plus an excise/inspection fee is tacked on top. Last item that happened to was a 256MB memory card, although it still came out CAD$30 cheaper by buying it in the US. I think our American friends should feel very privileged that their customs bureau doesn't impose such ridiculous fees.

Mandk wrote on 5/29/2004, 9:38 AM

Hi Grazie

Send me an email offline. I may have some information for you.

Mike

mandkproductions@aol.com

mbryant wrote on 6/1/2004, 3:38 AM

For the UK, the policy is on line

http://www.hmce.gov.uk/forms/notices/143.htm

Basically, if the item is worth over £18 UK pounds, you will have to pay VAT, customs duty, and the post office or carrier an admin fee. Customs duty seems to be 3.5%, as long as the item is worth less than £282 UK pounds.

If the item is declared as being worth less than £18, there is no VAT or duty to pay.

If it is a gift, the limit increases to £36 before you will be charged.

You could get lucky and they miss it, but if the item is declared to be worth more than £18 expect to pay.

Mark

Grazie wrote on 6/1/2004, 4:23 AM

Thank you Mark. Clear and precise.

Grazie