I'm probably going to be buying several cd's from amazon.com (USA) because even with shipping costs it ends up being cheaper than getting them in the UK (especially since a lot of them aren't even easy to get from UK sites). However though there is a lot of mention of customs fees I am unable to find any links to definite articles about how much import fees will be. If anyone can help me I will be very grateful.

No custom fees, I regularly buy CD's and all sorts from USA because a lot of stuff is cheaper there but I never get charged anything other then what I paid on the website, don't worry about it. I think it is mainly with cigarettes and alcohol.

Er, there are customs fees, if what you're importing is worth over a specific amount, and it can get fairly steep. Not sure of the specifics, though.

Edit: Just checked the Post Office's website, they say you'll be charged VAT, i.e. 17.5%, on a package from abroad if it's worth over £18 (or £36 for consumer to consumer gifts), as well as a £4 handling fee, though you only pay the handling fee if the package is over the £18/36.

It's all here (http://www.postoffice.co.uk/portal/po/content2?catId=5000004&mediaId=2600033).

No, like I said before I buy everything from all around the world and I have never been charged any kind of custom fee. Infact about 3 weeks ago I bought about 4 CD's from the USA and it didn't cost me anything extra.

I have done oposite. Bought games from the UK that I couldn't get in the USA. I was not charged anything extra. When tax time comes I am supposed to declare them on my state tax return (anything purchased out of state with no sales tax).

Sure, Sarevok, feel free to disagree with the Post Office's official website. :rolleyes:

Whether you get charged or not is dependent on whether the sender of the good is honest with the amount the good is worth.

I have had guitars sent here from Japan, I have bought almost anything you can think of from the US to Japan and I have never had to pay any kind of custom fee in the UK when it arrived at my delivery address/post office. Buy your CD's from Amazon in the USA if you want, you will be charged nothing, end of story. Jesus what is the point in arguing with me when I made it clear already that you are charged nothing.

@Sarverok, Thanks I wanted to hear from someone who had actually bought stuff and got it imported. Thanks!

@Wildfire, I had found the figure of £18 before but is that £18 in total or individually? If it's individually then none of the items would come anywhere near £18.

I assume it's £18 per package.

It is nothing. You get charged zero nothing.

@Sarverok, I think you misunderstood what Wildfire meant: According to the post office website customs fees can be charged on imported goods with a value greater than £18 (not including p&p) however from what you have said I would guess that customs fees are never (or rarely) charged for individuals rather than buisnesses. It's not to say that there is an £18 fee to pay on all imported goods.

I have paid for items worth over 1k on the net and don't get any extra fees, buy something and see for yourself.

lol ;S 1000$ jeez what were you buying a car?

Just because it hasn't happened to you, Sarevok, doesn't mean it doesn't happen. As I said, the customs charge is entirely dependent on the sender being honest when he sends the package. I've know plenty of people who had to pay the additional amount due to VAT.

Nonsense, I would be very surprised if there was anyone here who spent more money and time shopping on the net then me. Take it from me you pay nothing.

No not a car, a guitar from Japan.

Just to update (for anyone else in this situation) the first of my packages arrived and no extra fees to pay.

Thanks Sarverok!