FAQs

Your questions answered

A: This process is subject to individual circumstances.

A: VAT registration costs:

The cost for UK VAT registration is $300 and  the rest of Europe is $500 per country (including Norway and Switzerland).

$450 China to the UK and $600 for each European country.

Register for UK VAT Now

A: Once your application is submitted we can move a shipment on a temporary EORI Number. This applies only for UK registration and not European countries.

A: You will add 20% VAT to your selling price on Amazon and this amount is collected by you on behalf of HMRC. Each quarter you pay the amount you collect after you have deducted the amount of VAT you have paid out.

A: if you are accounts minded, you can apply on line to HMRC to submit your retuns every three months. Alternatively we can have someone from our tax division RETAX contact you. Email fba@regionalexpress.co.uk for more information.

A: By using the Regional Express service we make sure that your EORI number is used on imports and also pay the duty /vat on your behalf. This also ensures you can claim back your VAT.

A: You need to establish your HTS (Harmonized tariff code) this code can be found on the customs website www.gov.net/trade-tariff along with the duty percentage.

A: You require a list of contents together with the itemized cost value (not retail value).

Talk to us

For more information or help please contact:

Email us: fba@regionalexpress.co.uk

Telephone: +44 (0) 1794 516515 or U.S. Free Toll 001 713 955 7113

Terminology Explained

VAT

VAT (Value Added Tax) is a tax that’s charged on most goods and services sold in the UK. It’s also charged on goods that are imported from countries outside the European Union (EU).

When VAT-registered businesses buy goods or services they can generally reclaim the VAT they’ve paid. The standard rate of VAT is currently 20%. If you don’t have a place of business in the UK, then you must register as a Non-Established Taxable Person (NETP). Once registered, you will have to complete a quarterly VAT return, though this is something we can have arranged on your behalf.

HMRC

HMRC (Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs) is the department of the UK government which deals with imports and exports.

Once you have your VAT number, it is important you comply with UK regulations so we have put together the following information to ensure you understand your liabilities.

Find out more here: http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/

EORI

The EORI (Economic Operator Registration and Identification) scheme is a European scheme introduced to improve security.

It requires each business looking to work in Europe to have a unique number which is then used by customs officials to track goods as they enter and move around Europe, including the UK.

HTS number

The HTS (Harmonised Tariff Schedule of the United States) is the primary classification of goods used for declaring exports from the U.S. (as well as imports). Having the HTS number for the goods you’re looking to sell in the U.K. it establishes your rate of duty.

It is important that you know your HTS codes no matter what part of the world you are exporting or importing from. The HTS (Harmonized Tariff Code) is a code used by customs throughout the world to identify a product so they can decide the duty rate when entering the country. The first 4 numbers are universal and used in every country and this is the number we need to understand the product and declare this to customs. The last 4 numbers may change from country to country.

To help you find your HTS go you can go to the USA link on http://hts.usitc.gov/ or you can visit the UK HMRC website on www.gov.uk/trade-tariff – this site will help you find your duty rate into the UK.

We will help you and guide you as much as we can, but the responsibility is yours to find the correct HTS code for your product.

Find out more here: http://hts.usitc.gov/

Customs Duty

Customs Duty is a tax charged on importation of goods into the UK from outside Europe. It is charged as a percentage of the total value of the goods – that is the sterling equivalent of the price paid abroad.

To work out the percentage, each type of product is given an HTS Code. This tells you what the Customs Duty rate percentage is for that particular product. There are around 14,000 different classifications with the duty rate percentage for generally varying between Free and 12%

Excise Duty

Excise Duty is a tax on certain goods such as alcohol and tobacco.

When excise goods are sold in the UK the price paid includes this tax.

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