Duty and VAT is not applicable on everything entering the UK, see our Basics page for a brief explanation or contact us for guidance for your specific goods.

If your goods are liable, then the following explain how Customs calculate duty and VAT.

Coming soon!! Duty and VAT Calculator

 

1. Convert the value of your goods, into GB Pounds

This sounds easy, but you must ensure that the correct rate of exchange is used. Each month UK Customs issue exchange rates which they will use to convert currencies. Therefore, these are the rates that you must also use.

See our Exchange Rates page to find the exchange rates you need ukimports.org

 

2. Calculate the Total value of your goods (Door to Door)

The 'Terms of Sale' or 'Inco-Terms' between the seller / shipper and you determines whether or not costs of shipping are added to your Customs entry (C88).

If added, then import duty and / or VAT (if applicable) will be paid on this in addition to the price that you have actually paid for the goods.

So, how can you tell whether these charges will be added to your Customs declaration (Form C88)? Well, if you haven't already done so, we would suggest that it may be worth your while reading the 'Inco-Terms' page, to enable you to here, and accurately calculate import duty and VAT. ukimports.org

 

3. Calculating basic Import Duty (If applicable)

Now that you have got your total value of goods (including all the associated shipping costs) in GB Pounds, you next need to know what percentage of Duty has been allocated by UK Customs for your particular goods.

To do this you need to visit the European TARIC website, via our 'Links' page. Once there, search for your goods under description and enter the Country of Origin. This should then allow you to find the commodity code (keep this 10-digit code, as you will need to ensure that your clearing agent uses this on the Customs entry) and the rate of Import Duty that's applicable to your goods. Then simply multiply your total value of goods by the Customs Duty rate. This is the approximate amount of Import Duty that you would have to pay to UK Customs. ukimports.org

 

4. Calculating the VAT (If applicable)

The rate of VAT in the UK was returned back to 17.5% on the 1st January 2010, from the temporary reduced rate of 15%. So, to calculate the VAT, you need to do the following:

Add the amount of Duty, that you just calculated (if any was applicable), to the total value of your goods (incl. the shipping costs), then you have to add all the UK charges, such as Customs clearance and delivery costs (from port of arrival/Bonded Warehouse through to your door). Then, simply multiply this total amount by 17.5%, to give an approximate amount of VAT that you would have to pay to UK Customs. ukimports.org

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Notes:

If you are unsure about how much to add for UK charges, then UK Customs has produced a guideline, in the form of JCCC Paper (05) 64 (click here to view)

Please remember that the Customs exchange rates change each month, therefore, the amount that you have just calculated, may change.

If your commodity code has additional duty codes / rates, please see our Taric Help page, for more information. ukimports.org

Depending on the amount payable, your clearing agent could arrange for the payment of Import Duty & VAT to Customs on your behalf.

Although you can pay this directly yourself, there are benefits to you agent acting on your behalf. These are as follows:
- Their payment would be made immediately (or same-day) to reduce any rent / storage payable where your goods are located.
- Banks usually charge between GB£ 20.00 to GB£ 35.00 for a same-day transfer.

This immediate payment would either be made via a 'Deferment Account' or 'DAN' (a bank account held with Customs) or via a CHAPs payment (same-day electronic transfer). This service is generally known as ‘Use of DAN’ (UOD). If you require this service, a clearing agent would usually charge in the region of: 2 to 3% of the total Duty and / or VAT payable to Customs, or a have a minimum charge of around GB£ 20.00 - GB£ 30.00. In addition to making the immediate payment, your clearing agent will also complete the necessary paperwork (C514), as well as making sure all references are sent with the payment necessary for your shipment to clear Customs. ukimports.org

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