mIKE,

On Tue, 28 Dec 2004 11:44:32 +0000, Mike Harrison wrote:

> On Tue, 28 Dec 2004 19:13:21 +1000, you wrote:
>=20
> > Can anyone here tell me whether export items attract State sales tax?
>=20
>...<
>=20
> No, they don't. - you should not be charged sales tax on an export orde=
r, but you may pay duty and
> VAT on entry to the UK. Ask them to ship USPS letter post or Global Pri=
ority, not UPS/Fedex if
> possible as the latter charge excessive customs clearance fees. Stuff s=
hipped USPS comes via Royal
> Mail, who quite often forget to charge duty/VAT even when it is due.=20

Actually if it's available, Global Express is better.  It tends to come i=
n by Royal Mail whereas 'Priority'=20
comes via Parcelforce (in my experience).  The former charge GB=A34.00 fo=
r collecting the VAT, the latter charge=20
=A38.00 or =A313.50 depending on the "class" of service, and I believe Gl=
obal Priority rates the =A313.50 charge. =20
And it doesn't matter how much the VAT is - I've had to pay =A36 in VAT p=
lus =A313.50 for them to collect it!

Finally, they don't "forget" to charge VAT - a non-gift item is emempt up=
 to a value of =A318 (say US$34 these=20
days) and I usually find they don't bother if it's up to about $50 - occa=
sionally higher.  It's HM C&E's=20
decision, not the Post Office.

Bringing stuff back with you from a trip over the pond is the best bet - =
there's a =A3145 allowance free of VAT,=20
and if you're not too far over this they will often let you off with the =
whole lot!

Cheers,


Howard Winter
St.Albans, England



--=20
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