China phones, help, info please!

[maildude]

Hello there, I fancy Xiaomi Mi Mix phone.. cost over £400. Thats the reason I am asking:

Do you have any experience with delivery from China? I heard customs will hold my package and want me to pay 20% tax, duty etc. How does it works? Will help If my package got "gift" label?

year ago I bought Lenovo K3 Note from china and it was about £100 and everything went smooth. No taxes, just found my phone in mailbox. Now its £400 and I dont want to risk anything.. Nor want to pay £500 instead..

Thanks for advices.

 

[Hadron]

I've no experience, but you can find the rules for goods sent to the UK from outside the EU here. The value of the item you describe means it would be liable for both customs duty and VAT even if it were genuinely a gift. I see no legal way within those rules of avoiding these costs (I'm not a lawyer, but the rules seem pretty simple and clear).

I cannot comment on the probability of "getting away" with making a fraudulent declaration to avoid VAT and duty. But do note that it says that you are responsible for checking that the goods are truthfully declared, so if they are suspicious they can not only seize the goods but they can prosecute you if they chose.

 

[maildude]

that phone is ****ing briliant. All your s8 galaxy overpriced overrated bullcraps can suck horse. I just truly dont know what to do duty would be 10 pounds which is not bad, but if they will charge me vat, its gonna be pretty much too much... In that case I should consider buying from UK for higher price... Like I said before tho, I have ordered Lenovo phone from china and I was not charged, my order came to me without any problems.. Would you risk it again or would you buy from within UK?

BTW, thank you very much for reply!