Aliexpress/Bangood and import duty

I'm looking for some transformer E I laminations and the only place I can find them is on Aliexpress.

I have never bought anything from Aliexpress or Bangood and am wondering what the import duty would be and how it is paid.

I have placed over 150 orders from banggood some over £300 and have never been charged anything duty wise

only a few orders from Ali express though but the same no duty..

ian

Orders to both sites mentioned I have made since the rules changed have all had VAT deducted at point of sale and the amount shown on the invoice, I haven't been charged extra on any item.
Tthis is mainly for low cost items but would think it would also apply to greater value goods.

Emgee

It is explained here.

https://www.gov.uk/goods-sent-from-abroad/tax-and-duty

John

Thanks for the info, that has put my mind at rest. Just have to watch out for duty scammers now :D

As already explained tax is paid at purchase, I've bought hundreds of items and never been charged extra, BUT I would try to keep the total value under about £100 per order if you can. I know some of the couriers used to invent surcharges for larger purchases.

If it's anything like my corner of the world you won't pay anything on low value shipments as long as it comes in by regular mail .... although it's technically liable for duty and taxes it costs more to collect them than they get out of it. So no one bothers.

If it enters the country via any kind of handling/courier service then the courier WILL charge duty/taxes plus a handling fee for the privilege plus one or more additional fees (e.g. "disbursements"   ) which they won't explain. It's anyone's guess if the duty/taxes they assess are actually passed along to the various government departments.

I stress that this is what happens here (Canada). I would bet it's the same - or similar - in the UK.

Edited By Peter Greene 🇨🇦 on 09/12/2022 16:47:02

Purchased an item a few years ago from abroad, forget where, the item was sent normal post and Royal Mail collected VAT on it and charged a collection fee and yet have had items delivered from China from Banggood and never been charged anything. Dave W