ShortScale.org

I'd like to test this theory:

I've ordered a guitar from Japan and not got done by customs...it was marked "Used guitar" even though it was new.

Guitar from the US, got done over - marked "gift".

I think that the problem is the value of new goods...ie. that is eligible for VAT.
I think that you don't have to pay VAT on used goods if they are marked as such.

Would be worth testing. If it's true, then you would only have to pay the 5% import tax and not the 17.5% VAT on top.

No dice I'm afraid - it's still a financial transaction, new or not. The one guitar I've had sneak through was from Japan - maybe EMS (Japanese postal service) comes into a different airport or something?

Fair enough. No idea then.

I don't understand customs charges at all.

I had to pay £40 for the cowbell jazzy but my friend bought a vinyl boxset from the us, valued at £150 and he had to pay another £100 customs charge.

Whaaaaaaaaaaaat? Was this recently? He should contact Customs, because that's fucked up; either a typo has snuck through and he's borne the financial brunt, or there was a mega high insurance value placed on the package? You can check what should have been paid by checking the Customs website.

I'll have to speak to him, but I know he was very very annoyed, so I assume he tried to sort it out before paying it.

It might not have been £100, but it defiantely higher than £50.

Just had a look on their site, and can't find the rates, but there is a customer services number - be worth him re-checking.

Okay, I had exaggerated it in my mind, but it was still £50.

it was about 150
with postage
and then with customs it was about 200

right, the limit for customs in this country
is £145
anything over that gets a dirty customs charge
but it was sent via dhl
and not royal mail

Ah right. What was it, as a matter of interest?

Sigur Ros vinyl boxset with agaetis byrjun, (), takk, ba ba ti ki di do and I think some 7" singles.

<3 Sigur Ros

Fuckyes, saw them last month in London. It was mega.