Buying from the US

[Peter]

Thinking about buying some boat bits from the good old US of A. One question how, or is they an easy way of working out what duty I should pay. Something simple, something like £ against $ spent.

Thanks for your answers

Peter

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[discoduck]

Don't forget the VAT, Plus the carriage co. want there bit. What you and I need is someone comming fronm the USA and Hand Carry. Watch out out for electonics, they do not have the CE approval. Not that matters to us as the Ce Lable was based on the US Standards anyway. Bring me back a Radar and I will pay half the fare. Happy hunting. Rip off Britain. Don't fancy G Bush as a Leader.

Just like spinning CD'S

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[bedouin]

I think duty is paid as a percentage of the value of the goods imported; with the rate being dependent on the type of goods - I have a vague recollection that electronics attract about 10% duty.

Then you have to add on VAT to most items, and probably a handling charge - collection fee from the agent as well.

I think if you add 50% to the invoice price you won't be far off (probably a bit on the high side)

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[Sybarite]

I have been looking at US boats recently in the 40 - 45' foot range. It is my impression that they are less than half the price of British equivalents. If so, and only a survey would verify this, that would leave a lot of leeway for renovation and up-grading, even taking into account the taxes and duties involved.

As far as VAT is concerned, if one repatriates to Britain with all one's possesions normally one is exempt from VAT provided you have owned them for at least 6 months - this used to be the stipulation but I haven't checked recently.

In this case is a boat to be treated differently?

Does heading off around the world constitute expatriation for tax purposes?
If not, can one take a convenience address for expatriation purposes eg Panama?

Any lawyers or taxmen out there?

John

PS I always did want to know what the "added-value" is when you repatriate second-hand possessions?

 

[Abigail]

Like bedouin, we have found that between import tax, VAT and crriage/handling it's about 50% to add. But some stuff that's the only way to get it - eg our fantastic Alpenglow lights. We are currently plotting a way to get someone to lug back a sailrite sewing machine for us.

Of course if someone brings it back, there's still duty and VAT but not the exorbitant handling costs.!



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[Birdseye]

No - as I understand it, wandering off round the world does not alter your tax status.it certainly does not alter your domicile (inheritance taxes) and I believe that you will still be liable to UK income tax on UK derived income.

Where do you get the impression that US boat prices are half those of the UK? Any examples? I cant see any evidence of that on new boats. There does seem to be a bigger difference on old boats but then almost everywhere old boats are cheaper because it only seems to be the UK where people believe boats dont depreciate.

<hr width=100% size=1>this post is a personal opinion, and you should not base your actions on it.

 

[chasroberts]

I looked at getting some bits from the USA and was eventually directed here:

estn@hmce.gsi.gov.uk

This is the advise section at Southend. There is a phone number and they're quite helpful. Agree with the post above though that by the time you add everything on it worked out about the same as buying it here in the uk.

Regards

Chas

<hr width=100% size=1>Semper in excretum sum. Sole profundum variat!

 

[bruce]

the price may appear to be less, but when you convert to your money they get more expensive. in canada that would be more true do to their dollar being much lower than the us dollar, but your pound sterling is now at around $1.80 us or something like that.

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[Sybarite]

Hey com'mon fella.. I'm comparing in similar currencies...

John

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[bruce]

sorry, didn't entend to offend.

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[petery]

I've bought quite a few high value items via the US e-bay site www.ebay.com - so you start off with a discounted US price for new items - US companies appear to use ebay to dispose of overstock. Even if the advert says they will ship to the US only, you can usually persuade them to ship to the UK. Pay by PayPAL (effectively by your debit/credit) card and not by wire or Western Union - I nearly got caught by a vendor who asked me to wire money!

I work on the basis that, after I've converted to sterling I add 25%+freight. Surface mail is cheap but it takes weeks. Fedex or UPS take a few days

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[lurob]

Duty on electronics inc vat works out at 24%
I have bought all my stuff from USA and saved loads Better still if the vendor agrees to put lower price on the shipping invoice. I managed to get a price of $1200 put on $8000 purchace for VAT purposes. Or get it sent as second user goods

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[bedouin]

Both of which are criminal offences.

If you don't mind breaking the law why don't you just go and steal it from the local Chandlers?

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[Koeketiene]

If you don't mind breaking the law why don't you just go and steal it from the local Chandlers?

What do you mean? Steal from them before they get a chance to steal from us? Love your attitude - great idea!

<hr width=100% size=1>Experience is a good teacher, but she sends in terrific bills.