Hi, would really appreciate if someone could help me out. Im buying a laptop soon and they are cheaper in the US by a significant amount. If i buy through ebay and get it shipped directly to my house i have to pay import tax. Would it work if i got my friend who lives in the US to buy it for me and send it over instead would that avoid the import tax even if he stated he is just returning property back to me? Or if you know any other ways of getting around the problem would be greatly appreciated :)
I'm no lawyer or economist but that sounds like it would work, though you need to take into account the shipping rates for your friend to send it which could be expensive. how much is the laptop? I'm asking because it could just be cheaper to pay the tax (which for products £135 - £630 is 2.5%) and get the person your buying from to ship it.
edit: also how heavy is it? I will try and find some rates
double edit: you will still need to pay tax on it coming into the country, is there a European website you could get it from? If so i don't think you would need to pay tax on it since there's a free trade zone. You will have to get some rates and price it up.
If your friend has eBay they could use the global shipping programme thing to send you the thing, import tax work with faulty returns?.. All a bit shady though eh
UK import duty is actually pretty cheap (generally speaking) but you have to pay VAT on top, which is the expensive part.
If your friend sends it as a gift you avoid the import fees but you're not covered if the item is lost, stolen, damaged, etc.
On a related note if you order from Amazon US (you can log in with your UK account details) the import fees are not only included but if they over-estimate the fees they refund you the difference.
That sounds pretty good, so if i bought a Macbook from US Amazon I wouldnt have to pay VAT on top or would I and also import tax?
You wouldn't pay extra on top of what Amazon charges you but you can't buy a Macbook from Amazon US if I'm not mistaken, which kinda sucks. If I am, go for it.
How do you know that i wont get taxed?
Simple - I've done it loads of times. If there are taxes, it's all included.
Amazon states the shipping and import duty you have to pay before you place your order.
