Tax and duties on goods sent from abroad

tiemadmin • 20 December 2023

There are special rules to ensure that goods sent from abroad are taxed appropriately and to ensure that UK businesses supplying goods in the UK – for example by having to compete with VAT free imports – are not disadvantaged. This includes goods that are new or used and purchased online, purchased abroad and shipped to the UK and goods received as gifts.

This means that to receive your goods you may have to pay VAT, Customs Duty or Excise Duty if they were sent to:

  • Great Britain (England, Wales and Scotland) from outside the UK.
  • Northern Ireland from countries outside the UK and the European Union (EU).

VAT is charged on all goods (except for gifts worth £39 or less) sent from:

  • outside the UK to Great Britain; and
  • outside the UK and the EU to Northern Ireland.

Online marketplaces involved in facilitating the sale of goods are usually responsible for collecting and accounting for the VAT. If the VAT has not been collected, you will have to pay VAT to the delivery company either before the goods are delivered or when you collect them. If you have to pay VAT to the delivery company, it is charged on the total package value which includes the value of the goods, postage, packing, insurance and any duty owed.

There are usually no Customs Duty payable on non-excise goods worth £135 or less. There are Customs Duty payable above this level and on excise goods of any value.

< Older Post

Newer Post >

Budgeting and forecasting in a period of lower confidence

by tiemadmin • 9 February 2026
Many business owners are entering the new year with a sense of caution. Confidence across the UK business community has softened, driven by continued cost pressures, uncertainty over tax policy and The post Budgeting and forecasting in a period of lower confidence appeared first on Feldon Accountancy.

Business rates support and cash flow for hospitality businesses

by tiemadmin • 9 February 2026
Hospitality businesses continue to operate in a challenging environment. Rising wage costs, energy prices and supply chain pressures have all placed strain on margins. Against this backdrop, recent The post Business rates support and cash flow for hospitality businesses appeared first on Feldon Accountancy.

Eligibility for Business Asset Disposal Relief

by tiemadmin • 5 February 2026
Business Asset Disposal Relief (BADR) can significantly reduce the Capital Gains Tax due when selling a business or shares, but with higher rates coming from April 2026, timing and eligibility matter The post Eligibility for Business Asset Disposal Relief appeared first on Feldon Accountancy.