China spoilers

[Nevyn]

So I am still looking at spoiler options and have been tempted by the 2019 GT350 replicas available from China.

There is a thread on the US forums that seems to suggest quality isn’t bad but I’m not sure what the import taxes are going to be like for a part like this coming from China.

Has anyone ordered something similar from one of these sellers who can give me an idea of what the customs charge is likely to be like?

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[Alfa Male]

My current car benefits from a Chinese carbon fibre spoiler and I cannot fault it. In fairness it needed a good mop session to remove swirls but it came up really good.

 

[Bullitt66]

I think it’s a global rate so no different China or USA but please chime if you know better than me.

So its import duty at 10% plus shipping costs plus 20% VAT on the total so it’s tax on tax....
If the Post Office or I assume parcel force are the nominated uk courier then they have the cheek to charge you 10 quid to calculate this figure and won’t deliver till you pay.

Still I would give it ago as I’ve had some great stuff from ali express with fab service too.
My stance is if the saving is enough to justify it not showing up or be complete junk then it’s well worth a punt.
If the deal turns sour I think realistically you have to walk away as fighting it will probably be futile

 

[Alfa Male]

Every single parcel I order from the states has customs duties applied.
As for China it’s the other way round in fact I cannot remember the last time I incurred customs charges. I don’t know how they do it !

 

[Nevyn]

I was assuming there would be a charge just didn’t know how to work out what to expect.
Thanks to Bullitt66 for the calculations but I am still confused.
So I have to add 10% to the price plus 20% vat to that total. The shipping is paid at source so I am assuming it’s covered.

 

[marzman]

Yep, never had any duty to pay when ordering from China. I have the same spoiler as Alfa Male and didnt get charged. When coming from the states however i've been stung every time, at I think 20% + a £7 Royal Mail handling fee. Not sure about the 'extra' 10% mentioned though, don't think i've experienced that.

 

[Bullitt66]

Ok so for example your purchase is £100
Import duty =10% so that’s £10 which means £110 total
And shipping is £20 so that’s £130 total so far
Then add 20% vat on that subtotal = £26 so that’s now £156
If it’s coming DHL etc you might get away without all this but if it’s post office then there’s £10 admin fee to calculate the £56 to pay which means that’s now £66.
So the final total is £166

I’ve not been as lucky as some others on getting it duty free but I *think* the key may be if the post office is the U.K. courier

This is not including any exchange rate differences your credit card is making out of you. If we said 5% you can see why people generally say the price is the same dollars as in pounds once landed.

Still worth a punt IMO as long as the price is a steal

 

[Manders Mustang]

Import duty = VAT. You shouldn't be double counting them.

Rule of thumb is add 25% on to get the total cost then convert to from sending currency to recieved location currency.

Anyway, i've never been hit with buying anything from China, but USA/Aus i always get stung on.

 

[Bullitt66]

Import duty = VAT. You shouldn't be double counting”

I don’t want to sound like a pedant but being a tight northerner I like to know where my money is going
VAT is like a luxury tax and we pay 20% on everything we buy except basic food stuff like bread & medicine. Really odd definitions....
Import duty is payable in addition when you buy anything from outside the EU, although who knows what happens post brexit

https://www.gov.uk/goods-sent-from-abroad/tax-and-duty

 

[Nevyn]

Thanks for the replies
as it turns out i noticed a key difference in the shape of the replica vs the original spoiler.
on the original, the leading edge of the spoiler has smooth rounded edges. the replicas all have a flat face on the leading edge.
I expect this to be detrimental to the airflow and create additional unwanted drag.

Since I can't afford the original part I have decided to go for an Andersons type-ST spoiler which came with a black Friday discount.
Ive spent about double the price of the replica but I have more faith in the design of the spoiler so I think it will be worth the extra

The infö provided on customs costs will definitely come in useful in future though

thanks again

Nev

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