Importing parts - UK duty change

[wbryan]

It looks like buying parts from abroad (Sparkfun, et al) may soon get a little better for those of us in the UK. It appears that the £18 threshold for duty-free is going up to £127 on 1st December for items bought over the internet. More details on the BBC news website: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7727717.stm

Now if only the pound hadn't plummeted to such a low against the dollar.

Will

 

[Mycroft2152]

Just curious. How long does it take for a package to arrive?

I just ordered form Rev_Ed and its going in the opposite direction.

FYI, a 50 pound order is a breakpoint before shipping goes up 50%.

Myc

 

[wbryan]

I've had the odd breakout board from NKC Electronics via USPS in 4 days (I think). I've sent stuff to the USA recently and it took about a week via the Royal Mail, but that was a small parcel, as opposed to a small Jiffy envelope.

Will

 

[Mycroft2152]

Just curious. How long does it take for a package to arrive?

I just ordered form Rev_Ed and its going in the opposite direction.

FYI, a 50 pound order is a breakpoint before shipping goes up 50%.

Myc

I was impressed. I placed an order online on Friday, it was shipped on Monday and arrived the next Friday.

Not bad for England to the Northeast US in 4 days.

I have had some US companiues take longer. Of course there was a $20 shipping charge.

Myc

 

[moxhamj]

That sales tax change made the general news here in Australia. Maybe there are lots of UK immigrants here who are getting annoyed at all the taxes when they send a small gift back home?

It certainly will help with trade. The Aus dollar has fallen against the US$, but the Aus dollar to pound hasn't changed much. That kind of suggests the US$ has gone up. I don't understand the world of finance. The US has a financial meltdown and its currency increases in value?!

 

[leftyretro]

That sales tax change made the general news here in Australia. Maybe there are lots of UK immigrants here who are getting annoyed at all the taxes when they send a small gift back home?

It certainly will help with trade. The Aus dollar has fallen against the US$, but the Aus dollar to pound hasn't changed much. That kind of suggests the US$ has gone up. I don't understand the world of finance. The US has a financial meltdown and its currency increases in value?!

Yea, but it all started back when the King taxed our tea

 

[Technical]

Don't confuse UK sales tax (VAT) with duty. Most of the charge on an import to the UK is VAT, not duty (VAT is 17.5% at present, 15% from Monday).

So if you buy a parcel of bits from USA worth £100 you are still liable to £15 of VAT tax, plus a handling charge by the courier company - ParcelForce is £8, so total charge £23....