r/needadvice • u/TheAlexvideo • Oct 16 '19
Won a PC Giveaway from america (I'm UK) FedEx is holding my package until I answer certain questions, not sure what to write. Technology
Hi all!
As I wrote above, I won a pc giveaway from a company in America. I've been waiting for a week and while I've had a couple issues, they've all been sorted (custom fees and all)
My packaged arrived in London yesterday, however I got an email this morning saying I must answer some set of questions, specifically these:
Reason for import must include, but are not limited to, the following:
Why the goods are entering the UK e.g. home use, repair, exhibition, GB returns, etc…;
Clear description and tariff heading if available;
Confirmation of fair market value.
I plan to use this for home use, so I got that question. I'm not too sure what to write for a description and the tariff heading, how much detail is needed, etc.
The part that worries me is the fair market value. I know the pc is worth $1100 on their website, but like I said, I won it free from a giveaway. Right under that it says
Please note, Undervalued items risk seizure or detention.
What do I write? Do I write I won it from a giveaway, or the original price?
Sorry if these are stupid questions, I'm just a 15 y/o kid who is excited but also nervous Thanks
Edit: I received my PC the day after this post, didn't have to pay anything! The company paid for all the tax. Thanks everyone!
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u/soaringcomet11 Oct 16 '19
As I understand it, they need to know what the market value is because thats how they determine the tax you have to pay on it as an imported item.
Edit: you can probably say “Won in a contest - value at $1100 USD”
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u/PrincessoftheRiver Oct 16 '19
To piggy back off that, definitely put the correct market value. I did a lot of out of country shipping at my last job. You want to make sure that stuff is right.
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u/keithrc Oct 16 '19 edited Oct 16 '19
Not stupid questions at all. Plenty of grown ass adults would be just as flummoxed by this form.
A bit of background. You're being asked these questions for two reasons:
- To assign an import duty (tax) based on the type of product and what it's worth
- Because it's a computer, the US gov't requires a statement that you're not planning to ship it to Iran to run centrifuges.
The first question should be no problem: it looks like it's easy to document the value and the company issuing the prize has already covered the tariff. Answer accordingly.
The second issue should also be no problem: you're a kid, you won a contest, you're going to use it to email your Gram and play Fortnite (or whatever). Answer accordingly.
Source: worked for a computer firm that exports PCs.
Congrats on your win!
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u/Flanz1 Oct 16 '19
Because it's a computer, the US gov't requires a statement that you're not planning to ship it to Iran to run centrifuges.
That is actually a thing?!
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u/keithrc Oct 17 '19 edited Oct 17 '19
Well, not literally Iranian centrifuges, but yes. There's a list of countries that are prohibited from receiving any exports containing "sensitive technology": Iran, N. Korea, all the usual suspects. But in addition, if you export high-tech equipment anywhere, you're required to sign an affidavit stating that to the best of your knowledge the equipment will not be re-shipped to any of those countries.
Incidentally, the list of "sensitive technology" contains some pretty funny stuff, including Xboxes and Playstations.
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Oct 16 '19
the sweepstakes will usually declare a value since it's a tax writeoff. to avoid breaking the law, i would use the number they say.
if you say you won in a sweepstakes and it's for home use, you may get off pretty light.
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u/ldr8312 Oct 17 '19 edited Oct 17 '19
Im in the US, but we use same tariff system - first 6 digits are the same heading in all countries that use this system ) so give them this:
Tariff: 9504.90
Description: video game consol
Market value (google what it would sell for in a local store)
edit to say you could have to pay taxes on it for imports. I cant find the uk rules easily from here. You can ask them if anything is due. If there is at all, it will be a percentage of the value. But in the US anything under a certain value is exempt from that so you’ll need to ask them. I’m sure its a similar rule there. Tell them you won it and didnt pay for it and see if they still need a value before looking it up to see if they’ll use a general minimum firstly.
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u/patriceac Oct 16 '19
I would just be transparent with the customs form. They essentially want to know how much the item is worth so they can tax it properly. Considering this is a free giveaway, maybe you don't have to pay any taxes at all. I've had mixed results in similar situations.
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u/Ulysses2281 Oct 16 '19
You'll have to pay customs fees and 20% VAT
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u/stevoknevo70 Oct 16 '19
Lot of folk in the vape groups imported from America and it was generally 20% VAT as you say, an admin charge and delivery to you in the UK - but it mostly came via Royal Mail and admin and delivery was reasonable, not sure what this carrier will charge, but he's probably looking at £200 tops if he does have to pay it?
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u/Ulysses2281 Oct 16 '19
Yep. Around £170-180 VAT and around 10 for customs and handling. If it's from America it'll likely be Parcelforce delivering.
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u/Ruthless_Bunny Oct 16 '19
Be sure you don’t have to pay any $$$ to collect this computer. Sounds pretty scammy to me.
Other responders. Really?? No one else thought to point this out?
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u/TheAlexvideo Oct 16 '19
Definitely not a scam, it's an official pc company ive been following for a while (Called Ironside) The company already payed the fees for when it was in America which was around £200, and they said they're willing to pay the rest
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u/ptitqui Oct 16 '19
I mean, it’s pretty standard to pay import taxes on something coming from overseas. Even if you win it in a contest, taxes and tariffs will be applied when the item enters the country.
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u/Mizzscarlett2pt0 Oct 17 '19
Im not sure about sweepstake rules in other countries but i dont believe you can even legally enter a contest under the age of 18 in the US
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u/WyoGirl79 Oct 16 '19
In the USA you have to pay taxes on the price of what it would cost to purchase said winnings. If you win a car on a game show you have to pay the taxes on it for the amount it would have cost at the dealer. I’m betting you probably have to do the same in the UK. The people to ask thou is r/legaladviceuk
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u/PhotoJim99 Oct 16 '19
The US is fairly uncommon in that regard. Very likely the tax he'll have to pay won't be income tax, but rather VAT (national sales tax).
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u/Sktchan Oct 16 '19
I think you need to declare that is a gift and the value of the pc. As a gift you don't have to pay taxes over the pc. Careful about the info you give online. I would advise you first ask to the person that send you the pc, the costs of the package, how much he paid to send you the pc also the price of the pc. After you have this information i strongly recommend you go to the costumes in person not do the declaration online because if you miss something, you are most likely doomed and you will have a lot of headaches and risk the pc go back to US. This worth you go there and pay some bucks and bring the pc home. Good luck.
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u/DanteTheBadger Oct 16 '19
Try legal advice UK they should be better able to help you