When you buy something on ebay how do you pay?

If I buy something on Ebay for $300, how much tax would I pay to get it from customs when it arrives?

• I have seen an item $200 cheaper in the US than England, but I don't want to get hit for loads of sales tax or whatever it's called when it arrives here - does anyone know how ...show more

• Answer:

  please don't use the above rule of thumb because its not true. different items have different import rates based on a complex classification system set by the EU so where the 30% came from is beyond me. ring 01702366077 and ask them to classify the item, then what import duty rate would apply. they'll confirm it for sure, its the uk customs classifcation line. what i will say is part of what the above person said was right, its worked out as cost of item, plus shipping, plus whatever the duty is, then vat at 17.5% of everything. there may also be a customs handling fee which actually is charged by the carrier, not customs as the name suggests it does sound like a lot but ring that number, they'll confirm the percentage and you'll know for sure. if not, there's a national import advice line on 0845 010 9000