U.K. Import V.A.T. on a 1907 O.A. Bayonet import into the U.K. from the U.S.

[Flying10uk]

I have recently purchased and imported a 1907 Orange Armoury bayonet via eBay from the U.S. into the U.K.. What myself and I don't believe the vendor realised was that I would be required to pay import V.A.T. on the bayonet of £20 and just to add to the pleasure of the experience a Post Office handling fee of £8. I was careful when I wen't to pay and pickup the parcel to get a receipt in case I decide to appeal against the charge. Is there any point, no pun intended, in appealing to the U.K. Post Office/UK Customs and Excise? Thanks for any advice.

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[JerryEAL]

If the "FULL" price of the item was correctly placed on the customs form you pay what ever duty is required based on that disclosed value. If the item was insured for full value, it would be hard to avoid the taxes due even if a lessor value (for the benefit of the buyer) was documented in the customs form. That raises flags too.

[Peter Laidler]

You cannot (?) appeal against the Post Office for the £8 charge because they are obliged to act on behalf of HM Customs to collect the fee. As for the Customs, they are charging you 20% VAT on the value that they put on your bayonet. You COULD appeal but you have to remember that if they take advice and the item is worth MORE, you pay MORE - PLUS their costs. It's not the age, it's the value

All that might not be strictly correct but it's pretty close. You ought to see my huge file on customs charges regarding telescopes valued at £1000 and duty and VAT paid for up-front!

[Flying10uk]

Is my understanding correct that if the item being imported is less than £130 there is no import Vat to pay? The total value filled in the custom declaration form by the sender is $145 (U.S. $).

[mike1967]

You ought to see my huge file on customs charges regarding telescopes valued at £1000 and duty and VAT paid for up-front!

Peter, may i ask how that works, for example someone sent a scope to be repaired with a value of 1000 GBP. Do you pay VAT and Duty and then get a refund, or is there an exemption because its a repair job?

Thanks

[Peter Laidler]

Right first time Mike. I pay duty AND VAT up front and if I complete the repair within 60 days I claim the VAT and duty back. But, alas, not the Post Office collection fee. But here's the rub. While it's easy to pay money to the Government, it is a LOT more difficult in time and paperwork to get it back. As for the hoops you have to jump through............. Look, don't even go there!

F-10, consider yourself let off lightly. Anything that the Customs and Excise consider under declared or wrongly so can create all sorts of problems. They are VERY powerful people, believe me. But if you are up front with them, explain it all clearly, even overrun the 60 day limit for re-export by a week or so, as I have when having parts made, then they are as good as gold.......

[mike1967]

Excuse the Aussie vernacular, but what a pain in the arse that all sounds like. Sort of takes the pleasure out of doing these repair jobs.

[Peter Laidler]

Yes, it is. But can you imagine the costs when you're in the aircraft repair business as a friend of mine is? It can get to hundreds of thousands. Including the value of the aircrafty being imported - albeit temporarily - and parts purchased here, plus VAT..........

[Flying10uk]

I did wonder if it would cause problems with U.S./U.K. Customs it being a bayonet but apparently not. I have had bayonets sent from mainland Europe before but not the States. It's a good job the bayonet it's self is in good condition, an Orange Armoury 1907 made in June 1945 with blued steel blade.

[Peter Laidler]

Thereby hangs another paradox. The Royal Mail are obliged to deliver your bayonet. But if you send one, they will not accept it at the counter - for reasons best known to themselves. In the UK the Counter staff will ask you what is in the parcel. However, you are not obliged to tell anyone the truth (oh no you're not, unless it is under oath in a court of law). But once it's accepted, they are obliged to deliver. Whether you told a fib or otherwise!