Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what his policy is on amending or abolishing the import/export tax regime.

This question was answered on 26th February 2015
EU customs legislation requires that VAT and, in some cases, import duties are payable on goods when imported from outside the EU, (including by post). Most goods imported with a value of £15 or less are exempt from import VAT. When the value of goods exceeds the limit, import VAT is charged at the rate which applies to similar goods sold in the UK.

If this tax were not applied to imports, there would be an unfair advantage to foreign business over UK trade which is required to charge VAT on its sales no matter the value.

Customs duty is payable when the value of the goods exceeds £135, but is waived if the amount, when calculated is less than £9. The rate of duty applicable to each category of goods is set by the EU during world trade negotiations and applied to all goods imported into the UK.

The UK does not currently apply any export taxes/duties.