Get The Bump digital magazine >

tools: Pregnancy Calendar | Baby Namer | Gender Chart | How Big is Baby?

community

all boards


birth clubs


nest boards


my blog

my photos

my boards


200+ Easy Weeknight Meals!

Green living: Eco-friendly tips & tricks!

< Previous topic | Next topic >

All Boards > International Bumpies

Sort:
12-14-2012 at 6:05 AM
ccip82
Not Ranked
Joined on 01-12-2009
1,739 Posts
32,697 Points
ccip82 is not online. Last active: 05-20-2013, 11:17 AMBronze

Anyway to avoid VAT when shipping to UK?

We got a couple of unexpected Christmas packages from family in the States this year.  While I am very grateful, we got hit with about 70 GBP worth of VAT tax.  In the future is there anyway to avoid this?

My Ovulation Chart 
Report Abuse
Reply
Quote
12-14-2012 at 12:42 PM
AmberinDen...
Not Ranked
Joined on 10-09-2010
278 Posts
1,377 Points
AmberinDenmark is not online. Last active: 04-07-2013, 7:21 PMNewbie
How were they shipped?  From a website or company?  My family always sends stuff in a fed ex box from them personally with a description such as "candy, magazines, books, etc.  
 
Report Abuse
Reply
Quote
12-14-2012 at 3:06 PM
mrscjmb941...
Not Ranked
Joined on 01-28-2011
1,640 Posts
13,892 Points
mrscjmb9410 is not online. Last active: 05-23-2013, 7:48 AMBronze

My parents send it in USPS flat rate boxes, with handwritten address/return address and handwritten customs form

it usually says something like:

-clothes, books, personal items

-puzzles, baby toy, socks

even if that's not what's in the package. 'puzzles' work exceptionally well when shipping kashi cereal and kraft mac'n'cheese. LOL

 

 
Anniversary Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker  
Report Abuse
Reply
Quote
12-14-2012 at 6:33 PM
tlew12778
Not Ranked
Joined on 05-03-2000
756 Posts
10,913 Points
tlew12778 is not online. Last active: 02-22-2013, 2:42 PMBronze
Have them purchase from amazon.co.uk. Otherwise it's hit or miss on the vat.
 
Report Abuse
Reply
Quote
12-14-2012 at 7:38 PM
frlcb
Not Ranked
Joined on 07-22-2011
2,278 Posts
2,115 Points
frlcb is not online. Last active: 05-22-2013, 8:06 PMSilver
I always had packages come to me and marked 'Unsolicited baby gift' several times on it, and made sure the value was under $50. It always worked.
DS 02.10.2008 * DD 04.05.2011  
Report Abuse
Reply
Quote
12-15-2012 at 6:35 AM
expatmama
Not Ranked
Joined on 03-18-2012
815 Posts
10,027 Points
expatmama is not online. Last active: 05-23-2013, 5:13 AMBronze

I don't know if it works in the UK, but where we live there is a limit to no VAT on gifts up to a certain price/person. (around 60 dollars)

 

We have our family label our packages To Family Expatmama - that way they have a hard time knowing how many people to calculate the limit on, and usually do at least 4 times the limit rather than just 1 (240 dollars instead of 60) - got that tip from a customs worker.

Don't have anything sent from companies, send from individuals. If you can rewrap gifts later, ask your family to open them for you and write on the customs label that the item is used.  
LO born Feb 2010 m/mc 03.25.12 @ 11 weeks measured 8 Pgal/Pal always welcome 
Report Abuse
Reply
Quote
12-16-2012 at 2:24 PM
ovechkium
Not Ranked
Joined on 01-08-2012
154 Posts
2,076 Points
ovechkium is not online. Last active: 04-09-2013, 10:16 AMNewbie
My SIL sent us a bunch of clothes for the baby and labeled it as 'used baby clothes'. No vat. 
 
Report Abuse
Reply
Quote
12-17-2012 at 7:05 AM
ccip82
Not Ranked
Joined on 01-12-2009
1,739 Posts
32,697 Points
ccip82 is not online. Last active: 05-20-2013, 11:17 AMBronze
Thanks everyone! The packages were from my grandparents and some of my aunts and uncles.  I will let them know next time we are back in the States what do in the future.

My Ovulation Chart 
Report Abuse
Reply
Quote
Hot Topics

New dad or dad-to-be? Chat with other dads here!
Visit the Dads & Dads-to-be board

Need baby shower inspiration? Get ideas here!
Visit the Baby Showers board

Chat with other crafty moms here!
Visit the Crafty Moms board

search boards

choose another board