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Customs duties and VAT tariffs charged on clothing and footwear imports into the UK from non-EU countries.

When shopping on American, Asian or African internet clothes sites it's easy to get carried away by cheap prices. When your clothes arrive, and an extra bill for customs duties and VAT arrives as well, it can be enough to put many people off international web shopping completely.

We have looked into the current situation with regards to import duties, tariffs and levies. We asked Customs and Excise on their helpline - phone # 01702 366077.
We outline their reply below on what you will be charged on clothing and footwear from USA or Canadian suppliers.( Some third-world African, Asian and South American countries have trade deals in place for less tariffs on clothing and footwear, but these are the approximate duty rates and VAT that apply on all imports from Non-EU countries. )

CLOTHES IMPORT DUTY and VAT.
1) Customs Duty. - Customs duty is calculated by Customs on the "END COST" of the clothing. They add together the purchase price, + any insurance, + shipping costs. This gives the END COST figure. They then look at the material the clothes are made from. On the END COST they charge Customs duties of 12% for "fabric" clothing made from cotton, silk, nylon, polyester etc. If the clothes are leather the duty charge is 4%
2) V.A.T. - After adding the customs duty to the total cost of the clothing, they then add V.A.T.@ 17 1/2% on the after Customs duty figure.

SHOES BOOTS and FOOTWEAR IMPORT DUTY and VAT
1) Customs Duty. - Customs duty is again calculated by Customs on the END COST of the footwear. They add together the purchase price, + any insurance, + shipping. They then look at the material the footwear is made from. On the END COST figure they charge Customs duties of 17% for footwear made from "fabric" or plastic. If the shoes or boots are leather the duty charge is 8%
2) V.A.T. - After adding the customs duty to the total cost of the clothing, they then add V.A.T.@ 17 1/2% on the after Customs duty figure.

Examples of how this might work out: - A fabulous Bridesmaids dress costs $150 from Sydney's Closet. You choose insurance at $15 and there is a $35 airmail freight charge. End cost for Customs Duties purposes is $200. Customs duty will be $24 ie 12% of cost, making $224.
V.A.T. is now charged by Customs on the $224 @ 17 1/2 % = $39.20.
The extra charges in total are $24 + $39.20 = $63.20, which is then changed to Pounds at the central exchange rate of the day. In many cases the delivery company used will ask for payment of the customs duties before releasing the clothing to you.

For footwear we will use as an example a pair of man-made material boots bought from Designer Shoes.com for $65. You choose USPS delivery - a $35 airmail freight charge. End cost for Customs Duties purposes is $100. Customs duty will be $17 ie 17% of cost, making $117
V.A.T. is now charged by Customs on the $117 @ 17 1/2 % = $20.48.
The extra charges in total are $17 + $20.48 = $37.48, which is then changed to Pounds at the central exchange rate of the day.
Had the boots been leather, rather than man-made material, the duty would have been $8

FREIGHT COMPANY FEE FOR COLLECTING CUSTOMS CHARGES

Further information can be had by contacting : - Customs and Excise - Newcastle 1 Contact Centre, National Advice Service
Written Enquiries to ;- H M Revenue & Customs
Dobson House, Regent Centre, Gosforth
Newcastle upon Tyne NE3 3PF
Tel: 0845 010 9000 , Fax: 0191 201 1742
Textphone: 0845 000 0200 , E-mail: enquiries.yhne@hmrc.gsi.gov.uk

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Customs duties and VAT ( taxes / tariffs / levies ) on clothing imports into the UK from non-EU