Buying From America

As to buying from America, because of the paperwork hassles with export orders there are few low cost vendors willing to do the work to sell to you. Most are quite clear that they will not sell to export customers.

But if you find one those custom charges that you are trying to avoid are legal charges that you can not avoid. The vendor will declare the value of the shipment and in order for it to pass customs the tarrifs, VAT what ever you want to call it must be paid.

Forget asking the vendor to under value the goods just so you can avoid paying the fees. It is a criminal offense to undervalue the goods AND if the shipment is lost in transit the insured value of the goods is the declared value of the shipment.

You can try to sneak a few items in your suitcase. Good luck clearing customs and you know what is going to happen at your end if you get caught.

Can you buy from China? Sure. And the prices will be cheaper ... maybe. And for a single unit the vendors are going to avoid trying to sell to you. It just ain't worth the hassle.

Buy from the UK, support your country men, and pay the taxes and fees that support your government.

What you just stated is a criminal act, an intentional act of the shipper to avoid UK tarriffs and fees.

I suggest you spend your money on a good solicitor because you are going to need one.

Oh, BTW, UK does not have to dismantle the containers, they can X-Ray the containers and catch your attempt to avoid taxes. Or they can station an agent in your receiving dock and inspect the container when is it unloaded.

Like I said, hire a solicitor.