Customs fees from Hong Kong

andros

I've question to any1 who ordered stuff from hong kong. I'm going to place order and one question bothers me very much: if i'll going to pay duty fees how big they going to be???

Lemming

andros wrote:

I've question to any1 who ordered stuff from hong kong. I'm going to place order and one question bothers me very much: if i'll going to pay duty fees how big they going to be???

That would depend entirely on how much you are planning to spend (including postage costs).

ED E

I thnk it starts at €80 but may be wrong. under that is free. We spent just over $1000 and paid a total of €175 in fees. You can declare a smaller value and pay less but refunds are then to that amount, and customs may catch you!

Shiva

If it goes through customs you'll have to pay 21% of the total value of the order, including shipping. There'll also be a small administration charge of about 1.5 %, I think.

Duty, which is seperate to VAT, is very hit and miss - it depends how the retailer labels the package, and whether or not its actually inspected physically. The fact that it goes through customs and you get hit with a 21% VAT charge doesnt automatically mean they physically checked the contents - just that they checked the shipping note or invoice.

I'm not entirely sure of the various content description rates, but I do know that if they're marked as "plastic toys", "toy guns - plastic" or "toy guns - other", there's no duty to be paid. If the description includes the word "wood", you could well have a duty charge of about 1.5%

There's a list of over 10,000 descriptions somewhere on the revenue.ie site - it lists all the rates applied to each type of goods.

CrazyRabbit

Lethal_Bullet wrote:

I thnk it starts at €80 but may be wrong. under that is free. We spent just over $1000 and paid a total of €175 in fees. You can declare a smaller value and pay less but refunds are then to that amount, and customs may catch you!

€45 or under to be free from VAT as it is classed as a gift

From http://www.revenue.ie/faqs/faq_cat5.htm
==================

. Customs implications as regards imports via the Internet, what reliefs are available?
Customs duty is payable on goods imported into Ireland (regardless of the medium used) from outside of the European Union. The actual rate of duty involved depends on the nature of the goods and is assessed in accordance with the tables set down in the Customs & Excise Tariff of Ireland. VAT which is levied at whatever rate would apply to the supply of the imported goods in Ireland is also payable. Customs duty is chargeable on the value of the goods often referred to as CIF or the cost of the goods plus insurance and freight. The customs duty payable is included in the value of the goods for VAT purposes. Excise duty, if appropriate, must also be paid in accordance with Part 5 of the Customs & Excise Tariff of Ireland.

It should be noted, however, that the following derogations apply:

Gifts

Customs duty and VAT is not payable on consignments of a value not exceeding €45 which are sent as gifts by private individuals from third countries for the personal or family use of private individuals in the State. However, relief from VAT does not apply in the case of tobacco products, alcohol/alcoholic beverages perfumes or toilet waters and the limits set out in Public Notice No. 1179 relating to relief from customs duty on such goods must be observed. Furthermore, where after excluding the value of the goods (other than tobacco products) which qualified for the relief (€45), the total value of the remainder of the dutiable goods in a gift consignment does not exceed €349.18, customs duty will be charged on the balance at the standard rate of 3.5%. The importer may, however, opt to have the goods charged at the relevant tariff rate(s) applicable. VAT and excise duty, if chargeable, will be assessed in the normal way.


==================
The Customs & Excise Tariff of Ireland table can be found here....it's quite lengthy and overly complicated as expected. Airsoft guns MIGHT be listed as toys, pistols, air guns or as electrical equipment.

http://www.revenue.ie/pdf/00_00_CETI_06.pdf

O1S1N, is this something for the 'newbie' sticky thread?

andros

Anybody know how big are customs fees for stuff shipped from Hong Kong to Republic of Ireland????

andros

ok, thanks. So realisticly thinking: is better tu buy stuff from UK. Will be faster and cheaper (in total)??? What if HK retailer will label package as "return from service"??? I think u not supose to pay duty on something that is returning from waranty servicing????

I'm going to revenue and GP office tomorrow so i'll ask.

liamo333

21% of the total cost of your order.

Fallschirmjager

andros wrote:

ok, thanks. So realisticly thinking: is better tu buy stuff from UK. Will be faster and cheaper (in total)??? What if HK retailer will label package as "return from service"??? I think u not supose to pay duty on something that is returning from waranty servicing????

I'm going to revenue and GP office tomorrow so i'll ask.

that would be against the law so obviously no one is going to answer that!!!

also you need to check the prices HK good are considerably cheaper then the UK even with customs...personally i would not but anything in the UK unless i could not get it anywhere else...you have a local site now called eirsoft....shiva sells the same HK kit with a friggen minute markup..if you are going to get one and are worried about customs i would start there tbh...

Fallschirmjager

.

andros

i'd make calculations and, know that UK prices are 2x higher than in HK. So eaven with should be at least 75% cheaper. Regarding to eirsoft... (i don't want to sound cheeky) but i think: buying cheap ur buying twice (or more:).

Fallschirmjager

andros wrote:

i'd make calculations and, know that UK prices are 2x higher than in HK. So eaven with should be at least 75% cheaper. Regarding to eirsoft... (i don't want to sound cheeky) but i think: buying cheap ur buying twice (or more:).

you kinda lost me there in the middle, so i dont know what point you are trying to make, but dude if you have made your mind up to buy in the uk, buy in the uk..its your money.

benh07

i bought my tokyo marui m4a1 from hong kong and it cost me 50 euro for customs and an extra 20 for (cant remember but i think it was for picking up the parcel.) it was defo not worth it and it took 3 weeks to get here.. but ask the companie your buying from to write only like 70$ value on the box and you will have to pay about 30euro in total i say

kinkstr

I doubt companies are fond of writing false values on packages.

Fallschirmjager

read the top stickie and you will get all the answers you need...

andros are you based in the uk?

andros

kinkstr wrote:

I doubt companies are fond of writing false values on packages.

On WGC.com when u place the order u can choose how much they will put on the invoice (which will affect eventual refund in case of loosing ur package)

So let's say I'm going to spend 1000Euro. What will be the fees?? Anybody who bought something form HK, how did u pay custom charges??

andros

Fallschirmjager wrote:

read the top stickie and you will get all the answers you need...

andros are you based in the uk?

Republic of Ireland

liamo333

The postman robs...I mean takes your money at the door.

andros

any way, I'm going to sleep. I'll know more tomorrow and, will share my experience.

Fallschirmjager

benh07 wrote:

i bought my tokyo marui m4a1 from hong kong and it cost me 50 euro for customs and an extra 20 for (cant remember but i think it was for picking up the parcel.) it was defo not worth it and it took 3 weeks to get here.. but ask the companie your buying from to write only like 70$ value on the box and you will have to pay about 30euro in total i say

wgcshop m4a1 240 dollars

airsoft armoury 199 stg = 402 dollars and change

shipping from hk..usually around 90 dollars (highest i ever paid!)

shipping from uk usually around 30 stg (from memory) = 60 dollars


total from hk 240+90 = 330 dollars + your fine 90 dollars = 420 dollars

total from uk 402+60 = 462 dollars

either way you are 40 odd dollars better off..

or you could compare it against ehobby at 199 + 70 shipping from HK, then again you may get it cheaper somewhere else in the UK i suppose


dont know who you bought it off but are you sure you lost cash on a HK deal?

Voodoomelon

Fallschirmjager wrote:

wgcshop m4a1 240 dollars

airsoft armoury 199 stg = 402 dollars and change

shipping from hk..usually around 90 dollars (highest i ever paid!)

shipping from uk usually around 30 stg (from memory) = 60 dollars


total from hk 240+90 = 330 dollars + your fine 90 dollars = 420 dollars

total from uk 402+60 = 462 dollars

either way you are 40 odd dollars better off..

or you could compare it against ehobby at 199 + 70 shipping from HK, then again you may get it cheaper somewhere else in the UK i suppose


dont know who you bought it off but are you sure you lost cash on a HK deal?

Absolutely. You are better off getting a new piece from Hong Kong or the like, than the UK, especially if it's an expensive piece. If the price in the UK exceedes that of the HK, then theres no reason in the world to buy from the UK.

andros

I'm going to experiment a little with ordering stuff from HK. Tell u more when get my first order. Still need to get info dorm revenue and customs.

benh07

kinkstr wrote:

I doubt companies are fond of writing false values on packages.

*edited;* Think before you post please.

o1s1n

Talking about how to avoid VAT on a public website is extremely stupid.

1. You're making airsofters look like Tax evaders.
2. You're giving the tax office or anyone who reads this thread information on places which commit tax fraud.
3. Import office may red flag packages coming in from such sites, impounding them in customs to check and see if the invoice is indeed correct. This could add charges and make delivery times longer.

I'll be editing such posts in future.

andros

o1s1n wrote:

Talking about how to avoid VAT on a public website is extremely stupid.

1. You're making airsofters look like Tax evaders.
2. You're giving the tax office or anyone who reads this thread information on places which commit tax fraud.
3. Import office may red flag packages coming in from such sites, impounding them in customs to check and see if the invoice is indeed correct. This could add charges and make delivery times longer.

I'll be editing such posts in future.

I just ask question: how much I'll pay customs fees when, buy stuff in HK. To don't over pay, i.e 3x price in UK. I like to know how much something will cost me when, ordering it.

And I'm absolutely sure that, not only I'm interested in this whole idea (taking in consideration prices in HK and comparing them with our prices)

And I never encourage anyone to avoid paying taxes.

Question was asked to clarify situation.

CrazyRabbit

Sent a query to the customs people a while ago...here is what I asked and the reply I received.

1. How is it determined what is taxed and what is not?
2. How is the value of this tax determined?
3. Does the individual goods have to be above a certain value before they become liable for tax?
4. If multiple items are sent in one parcel, is the tax applied based on the complete parcel value or the value of the individual items? i.e. If each of the items are below are below a certain value as per question 3, but combined are above this value.
5. Is the cost of Packaging & shipping counted when working out the tax?
6. Can you clarify what taxes, fees, duty & Tariffs etc apply?

Reply:

In reply to your query regarding importations of airsoft equipment I set out answers to your various questions:

1. Customs duty and VAT is payable at the point of entry into the EC. Once goods are imported from a country outside the EC they are liable for customs duty and VAT.

2. Customs duty is calculated on the price paid for the goods plus postage, packing and insurance. The rate of duty that is charged depends on the tariff classification of the product. Further information on the classification of your product can be obtained from the Tariff Classification Unit at tarclass@revenue.ie
VAT is charged at the same rate that applies to similar rate products sold in this country. (standard rate is 21%) and for further information you can contact your local Customs Office - contact details can be found on the website www.revenue.ie under Contact Details. A detailed list of VAT rates are also available at http://www.revenue.ie/services/bus_guides4.htm.


3.Consignments not exceeding a total value of €45 may be imported without payment of customs duty and VAT. Further information available in Public Notice No. 1882 (http://www.revenue.ie/leaflets/pn1882.htm)

4. The customs duty and VAT will be calculated on the total value that is declared on the package.

5. Yes - customs duty is calculated on CIF - cost of product + insurance + freight. Vat is charged on the customs value plus the customs duty due.

6. As at 2 above the rate of customs duty that applies depends on the classification of your product and you can check this with my colleagues in the Tariff Classification Unit. The exact rate of VAT that applies can be checked at the details given at 2. above.

I hope the above is of help to you.

Regards,
Janice Perry
Customs Division
Nenagh

o1s1n

andros wrote:

I just ask question: how much I'll pay customs fees when, buy stuff in HK. To don't over pay, i.e 3x price in UK. I like to know how much something will cost me when, ordering it.

And I'm absolutely sure that, not only I'm interested in this whole idea (taking in consideration prices in HK and comparing them with our prices)

And I never encourage anyone to avoid paying taxes.

Question was asked to clarify situation.

My comment was aimed more toward the person who posted above me. (You'll see I edited his post)

Although, you did say

andros wrote:

What if HK retailer will label package as "return from service"??? I think u not supose to pay duty on something that is returning from waranty servicing????

Which, would be a way of avoiding taxes...wouldn't it?

o1s1n

CrazyRabbit wrote:

Sent a query to the customs people a while ago...here is what I asked and the reply I received.

1. How is it determined what is taxed and what is not?
2. How is the value of this tax determined?
3. Does the individual goods have to be above a certain value before they become liable for tax?
4. If multiple items are sent in one parcel, is the tax applied based on the complete parcel value or the value of the individual items? i.e. If each of the items are below are below a certain value as per question 3, but combined are above this value.
5. Is the cost of Packaging & shipping counted when working out the tax?
6. Can you clarify what taxes, fees, duty & Tariffs etc apply?

Reply:

In reply to your query regarding importations of airsoft equipment I set out answers to your various questions:

1. Customs duty and VAT is payable at the point of entry into the EC. Once goods are imported from a country outside the EC they are liable for customs duty and VAT.

2. Customs duty is calculated on the price paid for the goods plus postage, packing and insurance. The rate of duty that is charged depends on the tariff classification of the product. Further information on the classification of your product can be obtained from the Tariff Classification Unit at tarclass@revenue.ie
VAT is charged at the same rate that applies to similar rate products sold in this country. (standard rate is 21%) and for further information you can contact your local Customs Office - contact details can be found on the website www.revenue.ie under Contact Details. A detailed list of VAT rates are also available at http://www.revenue.ie/services/bus_guides4.htm.


3.Consignments not exceeding a total value of €45 may be imported without payment of customs duty and VAT. Further information available in Public Notice No. 1882 (http://www.revenue.ie/leaflets/pn1882.htm)

4. The customs duty and VAT will be calculated on the total value that is declared on the package.

5. Yes - customs duty is calculated on CIF - cost of product + insurance + freight. Vat is charged on the customs value plus the customs duty due.

6. As at 2 above the rate of customs duty that applies depends on the classification of your product and you can check this with my colleagues in the Tariff Classification Unit. The exact rate of VAT that applies can be checked at the details given at 2. above.

I hope the above is of help to you.

Regards,
Janice Perry
Customs Division
Nenagh

That's some useful information. Must remember to add it to that newbie sticky when I get home.

andros

o1s1n wrote:

My comment was aimed more toward the person who posted above me. (You'll see I edited his post)

Although, you did say



Which, would be a way of avoiding taxes...wouldn't it?

I don't want to be cheeky, but: I ask this in absolutely different intention.

bullets

What I find ridiculous is that they charge you based on the overall
price including the postage. I can understand getting charged vat on
an item but not the extra costs of postage.
Wonder how they can justify that.

I am guessing that if anything is bought within the EU then
there is NO vat to pay at all. (or its included in the price when buying)

Also dis-agree with them charging the customer if they deem it necessary
to stop/inspect/open the package. Its no better than any criminal money
making scam.

The different tarrifs for different things is crazy too. You could but an ABS handguard
but the tariff's assigned to something like a wooden handguard may be more expensive.

When they charge on on the money we spend we have already paid tax on that
so that should be the only tax we pay.

eirsoft.ie I feel will be a great boost for us and when we buy the goods are
already in Ireland and no worries about vat etc.

Dats my bitchin done for the night
~B

Genghiz Cohen

they charge you on the amount of money you have to spend rather than the value of the items, as if we were'nt getting taxed enough.

andros

bullets wrote:

What I find ridiculous is that they charge you based on the overall
price including the postage. I can understand getting charged vat on
an item but not the extra costs of postage.
Wonder how they can justify that.

I am guessing that if anything is bought within the EU then
there is NO vat to pay at all. (or its included in the price when buying)

Also dis-agree with them charging the customer if they deem it necessary
to stop/inspect/open the package. Its no better than any criminal money
making scam.

The different tarrifs for different things is crazy too. You could but an ABS handguard
but the tariff's assigned to something like a wooden handguard may be more expensive.

When they charge on on the money we spend we have already paid tax on that
so that should be the only tax we pay.

eirsoft.ie I feel will be a great boost for us and when we buy the goods are
already in Ireland and no worries about vat etc.

Dats my bitchin done for the night
~B

Customs charge u on overall value to avoid tax frauds. If u will buy stuff for 1000 $ + postage 200 that gives u 1200$ and all VAT or what ever on that.
But if duty will be calculated only on items value. U can easily say: ok i bought stuff for 200 and rest was postage.

I agree with u.

There shouldn't be duty on items which are not manufactured in EU. Or duty should be reasonably smaller.

Skatedude

Also, they say its supposed to be 21%, but i've been charged up to 40% on a few occasions, even allowing for shipping etc figured it out later that they calculated as if its in euros, even though value was stated in dollers. pain to try and reclaim

andros

Skatedude wrote:

Also, they say its supposed to be 21%, but i've been charged up to 40% on a few occasions, even allowing for shipping etc figured it out later that they calculated as if its in euros, even though value was stated in dollers. pain to try and reclaim

21% I can live with that, but 40% It's way to much. State is robbing us, retailers are robbing us.

So at least I know what, can expect. Thanks very much to all of u.

liamo333

Has anyone noticed that ehobby mark most of there packages at $17?

Shiva

andros wrote:

retailers are robbing us.

Care to justify that ?

CrazyRabbit

Shiva wrote:

Care to justify that ?

Lol, somehow I don't think he meant you.

And for Europe, it's not the retailers fault. There is a single distributer in Europe for all the high end airsoft AEG's. If you want to stock your Europe based shop, you have to go through them. Since there is no competition, they mark up the price considerably. It's another reason why clones are cheaper. You can buy them direct.

Can't remember who told this to me. Might have been Paul

o1s1n

andros wrote:

retailers are robbing us.

I know what you mean. When I came home last night, my LCD TV was missing.

Damn you Shiva!!!!!!!!

If anyone is robbing me, it's UPS.

Here's the breakdown of my VAT and duty bill.

Package - 251 USD. (€183.8)

(The rest is in Euros)

VAT: 47.13
Duty: 10.07
Other Charges: 13.50

Total 70.70

21% 13.50 2.84 (I love that. Not only do UPS have 13.50 for mystery 'other charges', they they charge you VAT on it too)

Total price € 73.54


That's an absolute joke.

Shiva

CrazyRabbit wrote:

And for Europe, it's not the retailers fault. There is a single distributer in Europe for all the high end airsoft AEG's. If you want to stock your Europe based shop, you have to go through them. Since there is no competition, they mark up the price considerably. It's another reason why clones are cheaper. You can buy them direct.

Yeah, I know he didnt mean me...but the reason you gave above is the reason I jumped on it. he was talking rubbish and I just felt the need to respond

ASG in France are the European distributors, and they're the reason high end stuff is so expensive.

Boston

Which sites are based in europe and which are HK/ outside the EU. I take it WCG is HK based, what about UnCompany?

gandalf

Shiva wrote:

ASG in France are the European distributors, and they're the reason high end stuff is so expensive.

Wouldn't do any harm to send emails to the High End manufacturers directly letting them know they are losing market share bigtime to the clones because they are severely overpriced due to their lack of competition in the channel in europe.

andros

Shiva wrote:

Yeah, I know he didnt mean me...but the reason you gave above is the reason I jumped on it. he was talking rubbish and I just felt the need to respond

ASG in France are the European distributors, and they're the reason high end stuff is so expensive.

Excuse me. Who is talking rubbish??

EyesOnly

Which sites are based in europe and which are HK/ outside the EU. I take it WCG is HK based, what about UnCompany?

They are from HK, Theirs a sticky on this?

~me trys to stay out of the other conversation O.o

I think he meant in general not airsoft specific? And ASG are the reason for the inflated prices tbh,surly it whould be in the manufactures benefit to sort it out or do the take a cut too???........starts to write his conspiracy theory on it

o1s1n

andros wrote:

Excuse me. Who is talking rubbish??

You need to calm down and stop getting defensive all the time. Thats twice in one thread. You have to realize that this is a forum. We take what you say at face value. If you mean something else, how are we to know?

You said "retailers are ripping us off". Shiva is a retailer. Who sells stuff for next to nothing. Therefore, you WERE talking rubbish.

If you meant UK retailers are ripping us of, or ASG are ripping us off, then you should have been more specific.

CrazyRabbit

gandalf wrote:

Wouldn't do any harm to send emails to the High End manufacturers directly letting them know they are losing market share bigtime to the clones because they are severely overpriced due to their lack of competition in the channel in Europe.

Or to remind them of European anti-competition laws which I'm 99% sure ASG are in breach of.

gandalf

CrazyRabbit wrote:

Or to remind them of European anti-competition laws which I'm 99% sure ASG are in breach of.

Well I think it would be better to use the gently gently approach before we use the nuclear option

Shiva

gandalf wrote:

Well I think it would be better to use the gently gently approach before we use the nuclear option

Yeah...I'm trying to get high end stuff at the source...I'm not going to use ASG unless I absolutely have to.

So far I have accounts with suppliers for most of the major pistol manufacturers bar TM, and I have sources for ICS, G&G and Inokatsu.
Classic Army and Tokyo Marui are proving ....difficult

All I need to do is determine if its worth investing a large sum of money to get the high end gear. It'll all take time, but I'm hopeful it will happen.

tonyj_mc

jesus h christ if you start getting in high end stuff i think i'll start crying with joy

Genghiz Cohen

i have all i need for now, excluding some webbing or the like, but who knows when the infection (thats what im calling it now) will rear its air soft head and ill be forced to buy some random (probably high grade) aeg or pistol to soothe it :O. The question is, "Will shiva be there to help a man in need?"
id like to think so, itll be a while untill i need him.

o1s1n

tonyj_mc wrote:

jesus h christ if you start getting in high end stuff i think i'll start crying with joy

You're not the only one. There'll be rivers of tears flowing down my street.

andros

o1s1n wrote:

You need to calm down and stop getting defensive all the time. Thats twice in one thread. You have to realize that this is a forum. We take what you say at face value. If you mean something else, how are we to know?

You said "retailers are ripping us off". Shiva is a retailer. Who sells stuff for next to nothing. Therefore, you WERE talking rubbish.

If you meant UK retailers are ripping us of, or ASG are ripping us off, then you should have been more specific.

I'm just messing. LOL

And I know: Shiva is a RETAILER (the G O O D one no offense