[tiddles]

I noticed that I can get a 32GB ram kit from OWC for $1155 (around £775) which would be about £1500 from a uk dealer. If I ordered it, would I be charged any other sort of tax? There must be a reason why the UK dealers charge so much more otherwise everyone would buy from the US.

Anyone had any experience already with this?

[Maciej]

Wouldn't you be charged duty when you import it?

[tiddles]

I think so - I just don't know how much all the charges would come to. Even if it doubled, it would still be less than buyng it here.

[PB PM]

I believe you would be charged VAT and duties.

[Dorian Gray]

Originally Posted by tiddles If I ordered it, would I be charged any other sort of tax? There must be a reason why the UK dealers charge so much more otherwise everyone would buy from the US. Anyone had any experience already with this?

Yeah, you'll have to pay Customs Duty* if the value of the goods is over £120, and the calculated amount of duty is over £7; otherwise Customs Duty is waived. You'll also have to pay Import VAT, because the goods value is over £18. You won't have to pay Excise Duty on computer components. HM Revenue & Customs are very good at extracting all applicable charges, so don't expect to escape these.

* There's an off-chance that computer components have no Customs Duty applied, and it's almost certainly a small percentage otherwise, e.g. 5% (though please don't quote me on this when you're landed with 85% Customs Duty! ).

There used to be a PDF file that listed thousands of types of goods and their Customs Duty rates, but I can't find it anymore.

I've ordered stuff from the US to the UK, mostly photographic and optical gear from B&H Photo (the New York store) and private sellers on eBay. I've had to pay duties and VAT every time, but still saved a small fortune compared to UK prices (this was back when the pound was very strong). The reason UK dealers charge more is a combination of the smaller UK market, less competition, higher costs of doing business in the UK (rent, legal hurdles, etc.), and consumer FUD about ordering abroad.

[Maciej]

How does that work if he has to return a piece because it is defective? Does he pay all those taxes all over again?

[Dorian Gray]

Originally Posted by Maciej How does that work if he has to return a piece because it is defective? Does he pay all those taxes all over again?

I've never had to return an item, but there might be a way to claim back the charges in that case (though not the shipping, which OWC would almost certainly refuse to pay). In general, UK law is very sensible and transparent (compared to other countries I've lived in, at least), so it shouldn't be hard to figure this out, and the result will probably be satisfactory. Have at it.

Looking at Section 2.3 of that last link, it seems that my figures above are out of date (I last bought stuff from the US in late 2008, I think). The current de minimis limits for Customs Duty are £135 for the value of the goods and £9 for the amount calculated. The £135 figure is derived from 150 euros, with new GBP limits set every now and again when the the exchange rate changes significantly.