I want to buy one of these. The seller says it will cost $15 to ship to uk but i can get one from the uk for £70. Is it likely to cost more than £70 after customs etc?

Figure on customs adding around 15% and you wont be far off. Then you may also have to pay for delivery in this country as well which will probably be £10

Could be more, could be less, but depends what the seller marks it as.

David

Here's a starting point...

Customs duty

There are links at the bottom to tell you how much you'll have to pay. Also, don't forget that the shipping company will sting you for administering the payment of the duty, which is around £8 for Royal Fail/Parcel Farce and can be up to £50 for DHL or similar.

+ customs handling fee etc. Buy British you know you want too

Its not tha vat or the duty but the handling fee thats gauling.

On top of the vat and duty the handling fees was around £9 on what I bought from memory.

If you get charged the above there wont be a lot in it.

Ok cheers guys. Might just be easier to buy from uk

If he sends it as a gift then you may be ok. But, id buy from here just incase. Aso if its faulty itl become an aras to sort it.

get the seller to send it as a christmas present

If you do all the sums, it'll probably cost you more than the UK price - cost price + shipping + currency exchange charges + duty + VAT + handling charge.

They can send it to you, free of import duty, with an invoice stating.

'Commercial sample, for quality valuation.
Of no commercial value.
Value, for customs purposes, $10.

is it true that second hand goods are not subject to customs duty?

if it is you could get him to smash it up a bit and cover it in oil before he sends it

in this instance the cost would be close

Don't know about he UK, but I bring parts in from the US on a regular basis, I have found it much better to bring the item in Parcel Post as apposed to couriers, skips the brokers charges.
Because we build cars in Canada (Camero,Chrysler 300,Charger, and Challanger, Ford Crown Victoria Police vehicles and Lincoln Town Cars) There is a free trade agreement on car parts.

I have had some stuff of that sort of value and had no charges - and some that have been taxed. My experience is that unless it's considerably cheaper I'd get it from here - the hassle if something is missing or faulty outweighs the small gain.

I bought a circular saw on Ebay for $85.
Sent UPS (who apparantly always take it to the customs office cos they charge you "handling fees". Cost me £15 customs and "handling fee".

Still half the price of buying it in the UK....