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[tigers_gonads]

If I buy a item from the USA or Canada via eBay, do I get shafted for import duty or any other tax ?

[05omegav6]

Depends on what you're buying and how the item is listed... Most of what I buy is done through global shipping, so the listing will detail the price, the shipping cost and import duties (if Applicable).

Trick is to search on the site of the country in question (.com/.ca), log in to it and add the item to your watch list, log out again and then log into your domestic site (.Co.UK) and purchase the item from your My Ebay watchlist. That way it should give you the current price in £ plus all the shippijg/import costs...

Bare in mind that not everything attracts duty and certainly no need to get stung with nasty surprises

Incidentally UPS will deliver the item THEN invoice you for the duty, USPS however end up at Parcelfarce, who invoice you (plus £12 admin fee dirty ladycrevices )  before they will even pretend to deliver anything...

[henryd]

I've bought loads of RC model kit over the years from all over,only place I got hit for duty was from the states and it was every time I bought from there

[tigers_gonads]

The item is a Alpine Ktp 445a amplifier.

Currently selling at anywhere from 120 sheckles delivered upto the 150 mark via UK sellers but you can get them in the states or Canada for the same price (ish) as a second hand one over here 

I'll look into Al  sorry Harris's method and see what it comes out at 

Thanks lads 

[omega2018]

https://www.gov.uk/goods-sent-from-abroad/tax-and-duty

every seller in china marks their stuff 'gift' or 'sample',  every seller in the usa does the opposite.  watch out for the courier making an extra charge just to collect the charge, ups is the worst (awful company), usps the best.

[05omegav6]

https://www.gov.uk/goods-sent-from-abroad/tax-and-duty

every seller in china marks their stuff 'gift' or 'sample',  every seller in the usa does the opposite.  watch out for the courier making an extra charge just to collect the charge, ups is the worst (awful company), usps the best.

You have that backwards... USPS do indeed put Royal Mail to shame, but unfortunately when things get here, Parcel Force charge you £12 on top of the duty. UPS pay the duty up front, deliver the item and only invoice for the customs duty after they have delivered. Makes two working days difference to delivery times

[omega2018]

must have changed then, i wouldn't be aware of that, i have avoided UPS for couple of years now. 

couple of days is not an issue for me i expect stuff from the US to be slow. 

UPS used to rip me off for 'admin' charges, USPS used to be reasonable, maybe it has changed.  generally avoid the US if you can and get it from where it's made - china.  never had a customs bill for any item from china even some expensive stuff.  touch wood.

[05omegav6]

Certainly not a recent thing