How are import charges calculated?

[icollectthings]

Hi, I am wanting to buy something from the US and the value is $325, with $86 shipping and $115 import charges.

The thing I don't like is, until I actually pay for the item, import charges can change.

The thing is, the person has best offer activted on the listing, so if I were to say, offer $250 and had it accepted, would the import charges lower, or could they still even go up.

I think it's a bit of a bad system were I cant know the final fee until I actually commit to buying the item.

Thanks

[rusticrye]

Basically:

1. 20% VAT on combined item and shipping value of £15+.

2. Import tax varies, and becomes due on values of £135+.

3. On top of that, there are admin fees to pay to the carrier for collecting the taxes on the government's behalf.

If a seller uses the Global Shipping Programme, you'll pay all the above, plus the global shipper's operating costs and the shipping cost for the international leg of the journey, direct to the global shipper separately.  The seller receives only the item cost and the cost to ship to the global shipper's hub in their country.

If a seller ships internationally direct, ie. is not using the GSP, you pay 1, 2 and 3 when the goods enter the UK.

For full details on importing costs, and what can and can't be imported, go to the UK government's website.

@icollectthings 

[john1297576]

It is not a bad system, until a selling price is decided then it is impossible to calculate the Duty which as the whole thing is in US $ also means that the conversion to £s is also going to fluctuate depending on the exchange rate when converted.

As it is GSP there are also their Postal Cost and fees hidden within the total.

[**peaseblossom**]

Try this caclulator:

https://www.simplyduty.com/import-calculator/

[icollectthings]

Thanks.
With eBay's GSP way of selling, they make up their own numbers and 'add' a bit on top, so although I've got an idea what it should be, it wont be what ebay say it is

[tobiasd4]

With GSP you also pay Pitney Bowes for international postage & their fee.
If seller is not part of scheme, when item arrives in UK, local carrier will send invoice for import fees & their own fee as well.

[tobiasd4]

Looks like seller is part of GSP.

Import fees on listing are only an estimate, total will only be known when final price is known.

[icollectthings]

Thanks for the reply.
The item is part of GSP yes.
Thats the thing though, how can I buy something if I don't know what the final fee will be!?

If I have a budget I want to stick to, I'd like to offer an amount and have the import charges calculated within that bid, so I know if accepted, this is the final fee.

Surely their must be some sort of calculation
Thanks