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[King pair]

My aunty has just kindly agreed to buy me a bat in the for sale section for my birthday, but it is in aus to I am just wondering, will I have to pay customs charges when it gets here? I don't really know how the delivery works

Thanks
Dean

[GarrettJ]

you will get hit for 20% VAT to release it. Depends on what the person puts on the form. I have sent nearly 10 bats from abroad to UK and never had anyone had to pay the VAT. You can do this easily with a 2nd hand bat as it can be said to have "no commercial value" therefore there is no price to subject it to VAT.

[King pair]

So what should I tell the lad to put down when he posts it? because I think he is a little unsure aswell.

could you explain further?

Thanks again

[Cedrictoad]

Is she bringing back from Aus as a gift for you in her luggage or is she posting it?

If she is bringing it then as long as total value of all the items she is bringing back is less than 390 notes (including your bat) then no VAT or customs duty will be payable

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/customs/arriving/arrivingnoneu.htm

If it is being posted then it is very likely VAT and customers duty will be payable (unless it is worth less than 36 quid)...

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/customs/post/buying.htm

[Cedrictoad]

There will be a consignment note that the poster has to fill out.  The poster is required by law to put the bat's commercial value on that note... so if the commercial value of the bat is less than 36 quid then no VAT or customs duty will be payable...

[King pair]

Thanks

[GarrettJ]

the last time i checked there was no commercial value for second hand bats, ive never ever seen them being sold on the open market like second hand cars.

So you are well within your rights to put NO COMMERCIAL VALUE.

i'd like to see customs show me where 2nd hand bats are sold at reliable prices on an arms length basis (that rules out ebay!) and therefore be able tell me the commercial value of the bat.

[Cedrictoad]

I wonder if customs have ever determined a commercial value and disputed a declaration before? 

It would be interesting to know if anyone has come across this!  Given the number of bats that come into the UK from abroad you would think surely customs have rolled someone!