VAT when items come to the UK?

[deadman_uk]

I'm not sure where to post this so ill just post it here.

I want to buy an MX518 mouse, in the UK its £45, in the US its £25.

Is it worth buying the mouse from a US site like Newegg.com and have it transported over to the UK? would it work out cheaper?

My main question is, will VAT (Value Added Tax) be added on to my item as soon as it reaches the UK?

 

[spine]

They rape you with everything when you import.

First they apply import tax, THEN they apply VAT on top of that.

But before that you'll pay whatever VAT the US charge assuming it's not already included in the price.


That's in theory, cos I read up on it all when considering doing something similar myself. If you work it all out, you find you don't actually save much. This is deliberate. Import tax is applied to discourage buying from other countries so as to keep the money in this country and boost the economy. More than you wanted to know I expect, but now I'm just rambling...

Google for import tax and you'll find some stuff that'll help you work it all out.

 

[deadman_uk]

ahhh I understand, thats dissapointing to hear. thx ill probably buy it from the UK now, if its not going to be much cheaper.

 

[TheMostWantedPolishTwin]

I think it's the shipping that will make the whole thing worthless... as for the import tax, you could always get someone who lives in States to buy it and just mail it to you...