[tomhills1]

this isn't a thread about indiginous behaviour in various countries around the world, no, it is the much talked about often repeated debate and discussion surrounding the tax you pay for good arriving to the uk from outside the EU.

i have the possibility of a quite expensive print arriving and having to pay the duty. questions: if the seller stated they were returning the print to the original sender, could they still insure it to the market value? what would the duty be as a percentage? can anyone remember similar threads on here and where they are located, i nearly fell asleep hunting through pages looking for them?

i know the whole 'gift' thing doesn't work, any info on the system and possible ways around it, no matter how tired the subject is, i would be ever so grateful for.

thanks your bad selves.

[curiousgeorge]

Check ya pm

[ricosg11]

thats brilliant can someon fill me in as well

[tomhills1]

ricosg11 said:

thats brilliant can someon fill me in as well

please people state all/any info on this thread for the greater good of everyone.

scott, nothing concrete in the PM to divulge but will share with you any and all info that comes my way, you get owt let me know too yeah? cheers, tom.

[ricosg11]

thats what we do here, help each other out.

[tadghostal]

On the Customs form is a box for "Description." I state clearly what the item is, what its value is, and then write a simple explanation. So far these have succeeded;

"Item was borrowed for university art project---being returned to kind owner."
"Item did not sell at our charity auction and is being returned to its owner."
"Item was purchased from recipient, but received NOT AS DESCRIBED. This is a merchandise return."

Etc.

Make the explanation clear, and something that a Customs agent would understand and easily accept by reading the explanation. Also, always use an overnight service as they fax the Customs form, so the agent does not see the package unless it gets flagged (which hopfully this will help to prevent).

Also, a related note. I have been unable to find a common carrier that insures these prints for anywhere near their true value. FedEx's insurance is limited to either $500 or $1000--I don't remember. The USPS is similarly limited. As such, you will likely need to find a provider that is unrelated to the common carrier, and although this is an extra hassle (and the insurance is more expensive) you should never claim the piece is worth more than it will be insured for by that common carrier. In this way, you limit the maximum potential that Customs will hit you with should the pacakge be flagged.

Ultimately, these guys do not have the resources to track values of these items and will not be in a position to hazard a guess. Whatever you tell them the item is worth, they are almost obligated to accept it.

So far, I've had only one package get hit with "VAT."

[tomhills1]

tadghostal said:

On the Customs form is a box for "Description." I state clearly what the item is, what its value is, and then write a simple explanation. So far these have succeeded;

"Item was borrowed for university art project---being returned to kind owner."
"Item did not sell at our charity auction and is being returned to its owner."
"Item was purchased from recipient, but received NOT AS DESCRIBED. This is a merchandise return."

Etc.

Make the explanation clear, and something that a Customs agent would understand and easily accept by reading the explanation. Also, always use an overnight service as they fax the Customs form, so the agent does not see the package unless it gets flagged (which hopfully this will help to prevent).

Also, a related note. I have been unable to find a common carrier that insures these prints for anywhere near their true value. FedEx's insurance is limited to either $500 or $1000--I don't remember. The USPS is similarly limited. As such, you will likely need to find a provider that is unrelated to the common carrier, and although this is an extra hassle (and the insurance is more expensive) you should never claim the piece is worth more than it will be insured for by that common carrier. In this way, you limit the maximum potential that Customs will hit you with should the pacakge be flagged.

Ultimately, these guys do not have the resources to track values of these items and will not be in a position to hazard a guess. Whatever you tell them the item is worth, they are almost obligated to accept it.

So far, I've had only one package get hit with "VAT."

nice one jay, is there a particular carrier you can recommend? i'm looking at around £2-£2.5k to be insured, any help is well received.

how you been old chap, still jumping out of planes for fun? that road trip must be coming up soon, no? hope you're good, it's always good to hear from you, take care mate.

[dgb133]

FedEx's insurance is limited to either $500 or $1000--I don't remember. The USPS is similarly limited

Actually USPS I'm positive you can insure for up to $2499.99 USD - if you send it global express mail (3-4 days service usually) And I think you can insure for up to $4999.99 if you send it via the most expensive overnight service.

Personally, what I recommend as value is such a subjective thing, put down any reasonable "value" you want. Literally speaking the "value" of a Banksy print could be 250 GBP as that is the retail price.

Then insure it for that value but package the print in waterproof "bullet tight" material so to speak so that the risk of damage is absolutely minimal. Then send the package overnight via fedex, ups, or usps with tracking number so it won't get "lost." So the risk that you would ever have to file for insurance is absolutely minimal anyway.

On another note - I'm curious if I were to fly into the U.K. on vacation and happened to bring a print into or take a print out of the country. Will they try and hit me for taxes on either end?

[snakes]

Just for your information and as regards to future insurance claims;

if an item is imported into the UK and duties and VAT are not paid on that item, if at any point in the future of that items history if it were to get damaged or god forbid even get stolen you have given Mr 'Bastard Insurance Man' the biggest get out clause for not paying up on your insurance payout...

[Octopus UK]

Isn't TAX evasion illegal in the uk?

[snakes]

funnilly enough yes, but thankfully for my part bad spelling has yet to be added!

[stuey09]

octopusuk said:

Isn't TAX evasion illegal in the uk?

Only for the working class. It's mandatory for those at the top of the food chain

[dgb133]

Just for your information and as regards to future insurance claims;

if an item is imported into the UK and duties and VAT are not paid on that item, if at any point in the future of that items history if it were to get damaged or god forbid even get stolen you have given Mr 'Bastard Insurance Man' the biggest get out clause for not paying up on your insurance payout...

Good point, you should probably get any insured prints you have professionally appraised. Especially if you only paid 250 for it and it it's now worth 5000. Insurance man will definitely give you a hard time on that one.

[ahamil]

ups insure high value items

[tomhills1]

snakes said:

Just for your information and as regards to future insurance claims;

if an item is imported into the UK and duties and VAT are not paid on that item, if at any point in the future of that items history if it were to get damaged or god forbid even get stolen you have given Mr 'Bastard Insurance Man' the biggest get out clause for not paying up on your insurance payout...

what if it was originally bought from a uk gallery, sent to a buyer in the us and then sent back here to me, the next purchaser. the print has already had the vat payed on it at the original point of sale, however i appreciate that the value has risen between it's two transatlantic journeys .

[tomhills1]

also, anyone know what percentage the duty will be charged at?

[paulypaul]

tadghostal said:

On the Customs form is a box for "Description." I state clearly what the item is, what its value is, and then write a simple explanation. So far these have succeeded;

"Item was borrowed for university art project---being returned to kind owner."
"Item did not sell at our charity auction and is being returned to its owner."
"Item was purchased from recipient, but received NOT AS DESCRIBED. This is a merchandise return."

Etc.

Make the explanation clear, and something that a Customs agent would understand and easily accept by reading the explanation. Also, always use an overnight service as they fax the Customs form, so the agent does not see the package unless it gets flagged (which hopfully this will help to prevent).

Also, a related note. I have been unable to find a common carrier that insures these prints for anywhere near their true value. FedEx's insurance is limited to either $500 or $1000--I don't remember. The USPS is similarly limited. As such, you will likely need to find a provider that is unrelated to the common carrier, and although this is an extra hassle (and the insurance is more expensive) you should never claim the piece is worth more than it will be insured for by that common carrier. In this way, you limit the maximum potential that Customs will hit you with should the pacakge be flagged.

Ultimately, these guys do not have the resources to track values of these items and will not be in a position to hazard a guess. Whatever you tell them the item is worth, they are almost obligated to accept it.

So far, I've had only one package get hit with "VAT."

This works - or at least it did with the piece I got from Jay today - Dolk 'Che' with full value declared but sent as 'Unwanted purchase - returning to original owner' on the declaration.

Nice.....

[snakes]

Re Customs duties:

customs.hmrc.gov.uk/channelsPortalWebApp/channelsPortalWebApp.portal?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=pageTravel_ShowContent&id=HMCE_CL_001454&propertyType=document

...and you can no doubt contact them regarding any other queries !


(ps. when using the above link dont just use the grey linked part but cut and paste and use whole of link)

[ahamil]

5%

[tadghostal]

paulypaul said:

This works - or at least it did with the piece I got from Jay today - Dolk 'Che' with full value declared but sent as 'Unwanted purchase - returning to original owner' on the declaration.

Nice.....

And I was just going to pm and ask if you'd received it yet. Glad to hear all is well Paul. Enjoy Che!