Page 1 of ? bout custom $ from UK to US- hope someone can help

Hello all, I have attempted to research this on net to no avail. Simply want
to know if I were to order some DVDs from the UK, total order valued at about 35 British pounds/ about 50 US dollars labeled as gift, how much should I plan on having to pay customs, and do I pay when they deliver to my door or will I have to go to the post office and pick it up there? Also when there is customs due, does it slow down your order`s arrival to you?
I have ordered many discs from overseas before but they were under the customs limits, and there are some box sets that I really want but don`t want to be taken unawares by fees. I would feel more confident ordering if I knew what to expect my total costs to be. Many thanks to anyone that can help with a percentage, ballpark figure, estimate, whatever. Thanks again.
Crimson.

Hi if its under £36 and marked as a gift, or under £18 and not marked as a gift, u will have to play zilch to customs.

http://www.hmce.gov.uk/notices/143.htm gives the detail for the duty itself. It basically says that if the value of the goods (*EX*cluding postage charges) exceeds £18 (or £36 for a gift) you are liable to charges of about 22% (3% duty and 17.5% VAT) on the total value of the package (*IN*cluding postage charges).

The carrier will also levy a handling charge, varying from £1.20 for the Post Office to £20 for a "courier", so do *NOT* go for more expensive shipping charges just to get things a day or two quicker, unless you are *VERY* keen to have the stuff now. They guarantee that you will have to pay both the duty and their charges, so you end up paying £20 or more in total charges on a £40 box set. With the Post Office there is a fair chance a package will not be charged at all, depending on exactly how it enters the country.

Wrong direction guys, he wants to know about US customs charges importing into the US from the UK.

Dave

It should be the same way around for the US. $50 should be the limit for gifts i think. If you do get caught, it would be 3.5% import duty + GST(however much that is) Then again, you should not have to pay VAT for the goods as you are an international customer. Email the retailer about this. Why would people wanna order anything from the UK? i think everything is 10 times expensiver here than the US. The only reason i can think is that u are buying something no available in the states like buffy dvds or something

"Wrong direction guys .." Doh. That`s how I read it first, then I got it the wrong way round, and now I don`t know how I could have read it wrong.

Not buffy but you are on the right track. Thanks to all for your help.
Crimson.

Box sets are quite often cheaper in the UK than the US. Especially if you`re buying VHS - they squeeze more episodes per tape in the UK. Single DVD / VHS purchases are usually cheaper in the US however. I used to live in the US and ordered stuff from Blackstar on a regular basis. VAT free is a nice bonus too.