E30 Zone

I recently asked an engineering firm to custom build me a cold air induction box.

Paid through paypal, who worked out the exchange rates, etc.

This item is currently with UPS and they are asking for £23 in cash for "import tax" before handing over the goods.

As this is the first time I've ordered from overseas, I am curious how they came by this figure and why I have to pay it (how would they know what it is & how much i paid for it).

the sender would have had to declare what it is and its value when he was posting it.

this is the only hicup when ordering from USA some sellers include this in postage some don't and you get stung on the other end ...

So is this 17.5% VAT? if so, then the "import tax" is more than it should be

i think its 22% roughly fella
do a check on google should tell you

It's VAT plus a few other handling/import charges.

isnt there a way around it if the sender writes on it that the package contains a gift?

it is true but i think customs are getting aware of that one !!!
used it a couple of times

I've ordered several things from the US over the years. (not necessarily car parts) And so far have been lucky not to get stung for the Import Duty. But thats more luck than judgement I think.

TBH Its always worth at least considering it before you order, in my case both items wern't availiable here, so I had to buy from aborad. But if its something readily availaible in Europe. You may find it cheaper to buy locally once the Duty and shipping costs are factored in.

BTW If you don't pay the £22 they will return the item and you'll get stung for return shipping in most instances.

the £23 is a standard handling charge I believe, rather than an import sax as such.

I ordered about £500 of bits for the soarer from USA, all I had to pay was £23 handling charge to Parcel Force. I think the guy I bought the stuff from was quite canny as he put a value of $99 for the goods on the shipping information. I think there could be a lower limit where duty is not paid.

But I could be talking out of my arse

I was lucky with my Miller MAF,they marked the box as a 'gift',when the ECU when on holiday to Miller,it was marked as 'S/H car parts'.UPS are the 'piggy in the middle',they have been told to collect the 'import tax'to pay on on behalf of Custums and Exersise',I presume that your cold air box was only available in the States?,pay up, smile,and put it down to the car A/C,unless you can 'lose' it as a pair of shoes for 'er indoors.....