A forum for owners of Yamaha TTR250 trail and enduro bikes!

noeyedear · Senior Member

Duty-UK import duty

spit · Veteran Member

A question for the Brits on the forum..

I recently bought some shorty levers from the US. They were stopped by Customs- no duty had been paid. The Post Office left me a card asking me to pay £5 of duty & £8 for additional handling, almost the cost of the levers.

I'd like to buy some Tuggers, from the US (instead of Kriega haul straps, too pricey)

Does anyone know how I can pay the duty or what I have to do so that the Customs & Post Office scenario doesn't happen again. I've already asked Tuggers if they would do it from their end, answer was no.

(If anyone had some Kriegas they want shot of or an alternative that would be great too)

Mark

TTRfan · Super Guru

Most of the suppliers in the States use USPS where their "letter" post comes into the UK via Royal Mail and the parcels via Parcel Farce. Expect Customs (usually at Heathrow airport) to hold your parcel up for 2 or more (usually) days

Anything over the lower limit has VAT charged at 20% plus a charge of at least £8 for the Post Office or PF to collect the duty.

See http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/customs/tax-and-duty.htm#3

Some suppliers are willing to take the risk of putting a low value on their goods to escape duty but its not usual.

However, the Chinese seem to get away with it!

Brian

Andy_C · Veteran Member

Hi spit

A mate of mine often gets xt500 parts from the states, he told me that he negotiates with the seller to value the part at a vastly reduced price, say £2 and charge him the remainder of the cost for postage.
This way he reduces or has no import charges because the item is below a certain price.

Don't know if this is fact or not but could be worth looking into for a workaround solution.
Try the H.M. gov website theres loads of info and a call line, you may find out its true about a minimum item cost. (Dont tell them what you intend to do though )

Be interested in knowing your findings as America often has TTR spares but because of the import duty I dont bother.

TT-R250M · Super Guru

Gotta love Australia

Any goods that is not alcohol or cigarettes and is under AU $1000.00 is FREE. Also provided that the goods don't go on the same plane- there is no end to the spending spree aww

Sorry to rub it in my fellow UK TTR riders, don't worry- you have plenty of cheap parts in Brians store waiting to be put to use wink

Jarrah

spit · Veteran Member

Hi Noeyedear

The levers are Mooseracing levers, they were on Ebay as levers for a TTR250 but the packaging says they are part no M557-40-20 for various Yamaha models & years, most pertinent; for WR 250 90/96. Any way they fit. The clutch lever fits exactly but is shorter. The brake lever; the pin that pushes into the master cylinder doesn't strike the round surface on the master cylinder dead centre. It strikes the circular plate on it's edge. I don't know if this will cause the master cylinder circular plate rubber seal to wear quicker

Quoting from the stick on label HMRC put on the package "Customs charges are applied to imports into the EU with a value over £15 for VAT...All items valued over £135 will attract import duty. Imported gifts valued over £36 sent between private individuals will also attract VAT...Our website gives details of these charges- search "Notice 143" ...or call 08457 740 740" ( website referred to is www.hmrc.gov.uk)

I'm going to ask Tuggers if I can buy each Tugger seperatley (each is below £15) and put them in 1 package, hopefully that should attract no VAT

What a palaver

TTRfan · Super Guru

I bought some Wirtz levers that were advertised as fitting the TTR250 but they weren't right so got sent back. They still advertise them as fitting though disbelief

petenz · Super Guru

TT-R250M wrote:
Gotta love Australia
Any goods that is not alcohol or cigarettes and is under AU $1000.00 is FREE. Also provided that the goods don't go on the same plane- there is no end to the spending spree
Sorry to rub it in my fellow UK TTR riders, don't worry- you have plenty of cheap parts in Brians store waiting to be put to use
Jarrah

It's $400nz here before GST of 15% is added... but it's luck of the draw... I have had parts come though worth $700nz with no GST added..

But we have to deal the shiping cost... sometimes they want more than the parts cost...