Important Customs news for UK/Eu leatherworkers

[Constabulary]

AFAIK up to $800 its free of custom fees when importing goods to the US.

[Handstitched]

The only way the UK customs would know it was from a business if it had a business name on the package or any BRN''s  ( business reference numbers)  on it. So, if the package looked like it was just an average package , say like a gift, private name ,  or whatever, how would they know ? ( other than large ' business ' `quantities)   

I could send a few belts to the UK  as a " gift'" , with prior arrangements with the client ? 

Much to learn . 

HS 

[Constabulary]

Sending an item as gift does not mean it will not go through the customs. Even low value package may be inspected - they are aware of the "gift thing" - trust me. That would be too easy.

[chrisash]

The part i read was about OMP's which they refered to as "Online market places" so does this mean items brought through companies like Amazon , Alibaba, Etsy and so on, who can all register easily and charge the vat and not necessarily the small retailer who sells direct to the customer

[Handstitched]

2 hours ago, Constabulary said:

Sending an item as gift does not mean it will not go through the customs. Even low value package may be inspected - they are aware of the "gift thing" - trust me. That would be too easy.

All packages go through customs, I appreciate that,  but for example, if I sent you a belt  no invoice  no business  name or ID's with say,  a greeting card, ... with 'Happy Christmas Constabulary '  in the package , how would they know that its actually something you ordered  from my business  in Australia ?  

HS 

[fredk]

2 hours ago, Handstitched said:

All packages go through customs, I appreciate that,  but for example, if I sent you a belt  no invoice  no business  name or ID's with say,  a greeting card, ... with 'Happy Christmas Constabulary '  in the package , how would they know that its actually something you ordered  from my business  in Australia ?  

HS 

You'd need to put a 'Custom's Declaration' label on it declaring it a present. Without the label the package will be opened and examined and HMRC will decide if taxes are liable. If they think you are cheating they will inform Oz post who will prosecute you for fraud.

The US IRS are novices at collecting taxes compared to HMRC, who have several hundred years head start

4 hours ago, chrisash said:

The part i read was about OMP's which they refered to as "Online market places" so does this mean items brought through companies like Amazon , Alibaba, Etsy and so on, who can all register easily and charge the vat and not necessarily the small retailer who sells direct to the customer

Its seems the answer is almost yes; Amazon and ebay, but not etsy which is a sales window.

[chrisash]

I thought Etsy took the payment for the individual just like the others therefore a marketplace, but that's just my reading of how hmrc would apply it

[Constabulary]

May be helpful:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/get-your-eu-business-ready-from-1-january-2021

Wondering how it will will be in UK 1 year after Brexit. I don´t think it will be easier / become better. They had a lot of time but I doubt they (UK & EU) have enough time until Jan. 1 to figure out a proper deal. 

If Boris & Co. were a bit smarter (IMO) they should cancel BREXIT or at lest increase the transition time. They should swallow the frog and move on especially due to the pandemic.

Sad story!

Edited December 12, 2020 by Constabulary

[gary]

I recently consulted a government "Get ready for 1st January" document in order to ensure I would be doing the right things to continue to send items abroad.  In the first, introductory, paragraph of seven sentences, outlining the changes, there were five "You may need to ..." , one "You could ..." and one " It is expected that ... "

Not one single, solid confirmation of what will be needed, just some insubstantial guidance that may well change again in the next few days.

Frustrating to say the least.

[chrisash]

We voted to leave and regain our own control of our destiny, whilst the member states of the EU prefer to give control to the federation rather than each state

With this setup it hardly seems possible that the two sides could agree, sovereignty to us means self control and after such a long fight to regain it after being sold down the river, in joining the EU without a vote by the UK people, its not something to give back power to the EU

If the EU demanded the USA followed their rules to get a trade deal, would you expect the US to agree