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Importing from China- tax, duties?

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  • 06-03-2008 7:22pm
    #1
    Registered Users Posts: 386 ✭✭


    Hey,

    I'm thinking about importing goods from China, electronic equipment, but only a small quantity. I'm a complete novice so I was wondering will I have to pay any duty or tax on the goods and how is it calculated?

    Thanks in advance


«13

Comments

  • Closed Accounts Posts: 497 ✭✭Musha


    clusk007 wrote: »
    Hey,

    I'm thinking about importing goods from China, electronic equipment, but only a small quantity. I'm a complete novice so I was wondering will I have to pay any duty or tax on the goods and how is it calculated?

    Thanks in advance

    Vat is charged on everything at 21%
    Duty depends on the Tariff Code for that product see www.revenue.ie

    Search for tariff code on the site and it will breakdown all the combinations for you particular product and add the % to the cost including shipping then add the vat

    i.e I bought 4 mp3 for $100 including shipping duty and vat came to €24 approx payable to shipping company


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 18 ChinaImports


    Hi,
    The following site will give you the various duties payable....
    http://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/dds/tarhome_en.htm

    Duties and Taxes are calculated as follows...........

    Cost Into Ireland = (Purchase price + Insurance + Shipping Costs)
    Duty Payable = Cost Into Ireland * Duty Rate%
    VAT Payable = ( Cost Into Ireland + Duty Payable) * 21%

    You Pay Revenue = (Duty Payable + VAT Payable)

    I'm off to China in April, so, if you want to pick my brains let me know.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 241 ✭✭wildsaffy


    Would like to pick your brains ...when are you off?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 18 ChinaImports


    wildsaffy wrote: »
    Would like to pick your brains ...when are you off?

    Hi,
    Due to other commitments my trip has been postponed. Drop me a PM or posting. Picking my brains won't take long!!


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 11 clarebuild


    Hi China Imports, we are building a 3500 sq ft house starting in about 8 weeks. We were thinking of going to China to source some of the materials, slate, granite, limestone, flooring, marble, perhaps some furniture. Would you recommend doing this? If you know of someone who specialises in domestic house building supplies, would you please PM me? Many Thanks for any assistance!


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 18 ChinaImports


    clarebuild wrote: »
    Hi China Imports, we are building a 3500 sq ft house starting in about 8 weeks. We were thinking of going to China to source some of the materials, slate, granite, limestone, flooring, marble, perhaps some furniture. Would you recommend doing this? If you know of someone who specialises in domestic house building supplies, would you please PM me? Many Thanks for any assistance!

    China would probably save you money, but and it's a big but, suppliers out there can be very very slow. I'd also recommend you have each consignment checked before it left or you could be left short or suffer from quality issues. You'd also need to confirm with the Revenue the duty involved on each item, don't forget they'll also want VAT at 21% from you.

    I've heard of people sourcing the type of items you'd need in Europe. If I was you I'd start by picking a number of suppliers here and give them your shopping list and see what prices they come back with.

    With building slowing down your Euro should go a long way here and in Europe.

    Please don't let me put you off, it is a great idea. Quite a number of people have asked me similar questions and I just can't stress enough how important it is to do your home work first. Building a house is stressful enough without waiting on that slow boat from China!!!!

    Good luck


  • Registered Users Posts: 1,001 ✭✭✭Mickk


    To the OP I would advise against buying electronic equipment, it sounds like a horrible blanket statement but they are all idiots!! China is great for things where cheap unskilled labour can work for pennies 20 hours a day churning out low quality mass manufactured products. They reverse engineer from pictures and make products look like the picture with out any real understanding of the products function. They will send out anything even if they know they have made a mistake because they work on such small margins if they were to dump a bad batch and start again it could bankrupt them. Also the fact that usually they will have the total money for the order before it even leaves their factory, there is no real need to send perfect products. You would think that the promise of repeat business would be an incentive but I think the fact that probably only .01% of businesses in china would actually go on alibaba and advertise, if you found them chances are there are 500 other people like you emailing them and getting small amounts every day...

    I have found that the big players use remote factories that would not have even heard of alibaba or have any interest in advertising there and fielding the thousands of emails every month from dreamers and kids, sending out hundreds of samples and probably converting 1% which will probably buy one container a year. The big players also all have independent QC staff, there is no point having some bloke who gets payed by the factory checking the quality of your goods... Its not the business I am in but I think taiwan is slightly better for electronics.

    To clarebuild I would also advise against china. If you were a building firm with a view to establishing supply chains for the materials you mentioned then it would be a good idea. Chances are you would get burned a few times along the line as most people do but once you had filtered out the bad suppliers you would be on to a winner. For a once of build you will when your first (and only) shipments turns up all wrong you will end up rather than saving money you will spend more than it would have cost you to get the materials here...


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2 Galway 1


    Check out this web site <snip> they are a professional Irish company helping Irish people & companies source products & materials from China


  • Registered Users Posts: 28,193 ✭✭✭✭drunkmonkey


    Hi,
    The following site will give you the various duties payable....
    http://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/dds/tarhome_en.htm

    Duties and Taxes are calculated as follows...........

    Cost Into Ireland = (Purchase price + Insurance + Shipping Costs)
    Duty Payable = Cost Into Ireland * Duty Rate%
    VAT Payable = ( Cost Into Ireland + Duty Payable) * 21%

    You Pay Revenue = (Duty Payable + VAT Payable)

    .

    I'm trying to figure out how much my final buy price will be, but can't seem to find a duty rate with the taric code it just tells me it's 0% Duty

    The code is 851830 (can you use it as an example), I'm guessing I will have to pay 21% duty + 21% Vat + 21% vat again on any profits from sales? Is that correct?

    tks
    dm


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 5,538 ✭✭✭niceirishfella


    to get the correct revenue rate, call the revenue office in Nenagh.

    They will call you back with the rate if they dont have it to hand.

    remember to calculate, shipping carriage, vat, container loading fees,insurance, bank charges transferring money, shipping agents fees, warehousing, truckin - the worx!
    :eek:


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  • Registered Users Posts: 2,658 ✭✭✭old boy


    ther is a building supplys supermarket in france, a mate of mine saved a fortune, had most of it sussed online, headed off with a van.


  • Registered Users Posts: 28,193 ✭✭✭✭drunkmonkey



    remember to calculate, shipping carriage, vat, container loading fees,insurance, bank charges transferring money, shipping agents fees, warehousing, truckin - the worx!
    :eek:

    I paid via paypal and the goods are coming via EMS, I didn't pay any tax or duties in china and the postage was free.....the order was under €300 but it was 30 items....


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 5,538 ✭✭✭niceirishfella


    Ahhh, ok, i was talking bulk imports like 20ft containers upwards.


  • Registered Users Posts: 28,193 ✭✭✭✭drunkmonkey


    Ahhh, ok, i was talking bulk imports like 20ft containers upwards.


    I'm going to have a little china account, If these fly i'll be spending all the profits on a bigger load and so on and so forth.....just dabbling my foot in the water with china suppliers to see how things go.....


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 5,538 ✭✭✭niceirishfella


    Sounds good Drunk Monkey............hopefully you'll get to a stage where you can go full tilt @ it.
    A word from the wise............watch quality.........they'll fcuk you over on quality if you're not carefull.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 13 peterpan73


    hi all, i am importing pedel go-karts from china(10) and was wondering if i had to pay customs duties,i have checked on the link that i found on chinaimports thread and it says 0% i know i will have to pay 21.5%vat,but is this all i will have to pay?the total cost of the goods is usd2210 thanks


  • Registered Users Posts: 794 ✭✭✭RUDOLF289


    Hello Peterpan,

    This is the calculation on the basis that the price of Us$ 2210 includes the cost of the product, transport/marine insurance and freight (CIF).

    Current customs rate of exchange is Us$ 1.4783 so the value for VAT calculation (on the basis of 0% duty) is 2210 / 1.4783 = Euro 1494.96 @ 21.5% = Euro 321.42

    That is what is due to Customs.

    I would be more concerned however what you may have to pay on arrival to the carrier or his agent. If you have left the transport arrangements to your supplier you may be in for a nasty surprise.

    This is what you should be paying (aproximately)

    Unloading / Terminal charges Euro 45 / Euro 55 per 1000 kgs or 3 cbm
    Agency fee Euro 55 / Euro 65
    Customs clearance Euro 55 per customs entry upto 3 tariff headings

    I suspect you will be paying a lot more ..........

    Regards,
    RUDOLF289


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 13 peterpan73


    thanks rudolf,yes the 2210 usd was for the goods and the shipment that is what i payed in total,i had hoped to get all for 1519 euro +21.5% vat which would have been around 1845 euro,i know there would be a little more but i hope not a lot as it would not be worth my while doing this:(


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 19 gandhi24


    Hi Guys,

    I am importing 5000 plastic novelty items which cost 25c each. The cost of the shipment is 1250 euro. Can anyone advise me how much tax i will have to pay on these goods when they arrive in ireland.

    Any ideas would be much appreciated?

    Many thanks,

    Ian


  • Registered Users Posts: 794 ✭✭✭RUDOLF289


    gandhi24 wrote: »
    Hi Guys,

    I am importing 5000 plastic novelty items which cost 25c each. The cost of the shipment is 1250 euro. Can anyone advise me how much tax i will have to pay on these goods when they arrive in ireland.

    Any ideas would be much appreciated?

    Many thanks,

    Ian

    Hello Ian,

    I can assist you. Need the following questions ;

    1) What is the country of origin?
    2) Can you be a little bit more specific in your description?
    3) Is the cost of Euro 1250 including or excluding transport cost, marine cargo insurance?

    Based on your answers I expect to be able to establish the customs classification, establish the value for customs and the rate of duty.

    Feel free to PM me if you consider the info confidential

    Cheers,
    Rudolf289


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 177 ✭✭AndyJB


    gandhi24 wrote: »
    Hi Guys,

    I am importing 5000 plastic novelty items which cost 25c each. The cost of the shipment is 1250 euro. Can anyone advise me how much tax i will have to pay on these goods when they arrive in ireland.

    Any ideas would be much appreciated?

    Many thanks,

    Ian

    Hi,
    Here's a useful post on this topic....
    The following site will give you the various duties payable....
    http://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/dds/tarhome_en.htm

    Duties and Taxes are calculated as follows...........

    Cost Into Ireland = (Purchase price + Insurance + Shipping Costs)
    Duty Payable = Cost Into Ireland * Duty Rate%
    VAT Payable = ( Cost Into Ireland + Duty Payable) * 21%

    You Pay Revenue = (Duty Payable + VAT Payable)

    The sting in the tail is that Duty is applied to the full costs you pay. VAT is then applied on top of everything.

    Speak with your local customs office to get an exact tariff code for your items.

    Best of luck.


  • Registered Users Posts: 38 hano


    I am very confused as to how this works.
    I am looking to import 10 units of a certain product. they are $250 each inclu shipping. They are 10 - 14 day delivery so most likely standard china post.

    How much do i pay to dhl/ups when my goods arrive at my premises.


  • Registered Users Posts: 1,213 ✭✭✭was.deevey


    Not everything is necessarily charged at the 21% mark .. I placed an enquiry into customs about importing computer systems as opposed to consumer electronics.

    Apparently if they are complete computer systems e.g monitor, keyboard etc (not just towers or servers) they are (or were) charged around 12%.

    Why I have no idea, but the answer came straight from the horses mouth last year (pre budget though).

    Worthwhile making that call to them yourself, you may be in for a surprise (i was!)


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1 Anne32


    Hi I Am currently in China at the trade fair and wondering if someone can tell me what is the duty rates on
    Household
    Toys
    Electrical Toys

    I've searched taric but very unfriendly!


  • Registered Users Posts: 794 ✭✭✭RUDOLF289


    Anne32 wrote: »
    Hi I Am currently in China at the trade fair and wondering if someone can tell me what is the duty rates on
    Household
    Toys
    Electrical Toys

    I've searched taric but very unfriendly!

    Problem is that the description you are posting is not detailed enough. Any chance you can give more details ? If required, PM me. Have a good look at the taric website heading : 9503 and go through the various options in that tariff heading. Have sent you a PM aswell

    Cheers,
    Rudolf289


  • Registered Users Posts: 34 gaahurling


    I am importing 62 pairs of headphones from china at a cost of €745 including shipping.
    What taxes will I have to pay on these and how much would I have to pay?


  • Registered Users Posts: 794 ✭✭✭RUDOLF289


    gaahurling wrote: »
    I am importing 62 pairs of headphones from china at a cost of €745 including shipping.
    What taxes will I have to pay on these and how much would I have to pay?

    Hello GAA Hurling,

    The customs tariff number for headphones is 8518 30 95 90. The rate of duty is 2%

    You will pay the duty over the total landed cost (including shipping). The VAT will be calculated over the landed cost plus the duty.

    Hope this helps

    Cheers,
    Rudolf289


  • Registered Users Posts: 34 gaahurling


    Thanks for that. How do I pay for all these?
    Will I have to pay An Post when the goods arrive or what?


  • Registered Users Posts: 794 ✭✭✭RUDOLF289


    Hello GAAHurling,

    Have a look at this thread, especially the 1st post should be a great help

    http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055862554

    In principle, if you shipment is coming in through An Post you will be asked to pay the duty and VAT on delivery. There may be a small handling charge added to it by An Post to cover the admin of the customs entry and Duty/VAT management.

    Cheers,
    Rudolf289


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1 IanSmalls


    Hi guys ,

    My question is, do I have to get some sort of certification papers from Chinese suppliers if I'm ordering electronic equipment ?

    And would really appreciate if someone would give me a link to some site with information on them customs duties, especially the rates I got to pay when importing something from China.

    Cheers


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