Bringing silver to the UK

[GeorgeOwen]

I will be flying to Estonia and will be buying silver roughly around 7kgs of it and then flying back to England. Do I need to declare this and will I have to pay tax and if so how much.

[sixgun]

3 hours ago, GeorgeOwen said:

I will be flying to Estonia and will be buying silver roughly around 7kgs of it and then flying back to England. Do I need to declare this and will I have to pay tax and if so how much.

Are you buying from a dealer? - European Mint - Celtic Gold etc?

[AppleZippoandMetronome]

I know from experience that they classify silver bullion brought in from outside the EU as "goods" and that the value of them (not face value - actual value) counts towards your goods allowance. Using that same logic there is no limit on "goods" you bring into the UK from the EU unless they believe you are going to resell those goods. Thats a pretty big caveat and it means your question can't really be answered. If you get stopped, they think you plan to sell on the silver and you can't provide sufficient proof to show you aren't going to sell on the silver then you might get taxed. If you aren't stopped or you are stopped but they don't question the silver you won't.

https://www.gov.uk/duty-free-goods/arrivals-from-eu-countries

Edited July 21, 2019 by AppleZippoandMetronome

[GeorgeOwen]

5 minutes ago, AppleZippoandMetronome said:

I know from experience that they classify silver bullion brought in from outside the EU as "goods" and that the value of them (not face value - actual value) counts towards your goods allowance. Using that same logic there is no limit on "goods" you bring into the UK from the EU unless they believe you are going to resell those goods. Thats a pretty big caveat and it means your question can't really be answered. If you get stopped, they think you plan to sell on the silver and you can't provide sufficient proof to show you aren't going to sell on the silver then you might get taxed. If you aren't stopped or you are stopped but they don't question the silver you won't.

https://www.gov.uk/duty-free-goods/arrivals-from-eu-countries

Ok thanks for the that, I know tax for the UK is roughly around 20-21% for silver and Estonia has non and flights there are cheap but if I do get taxed on the way back will that be the same as the 20-21% or will it be a lower import tax.

 

[AppleZippoandMetronome]

2 minutes ago, GeorgeOwen said:

Ok thanks for the that, I know tax for the UK is roughly around 20-21% for silver and Estonia has non and flights there are cheap but if I do get taxed on the way back will that be the same as the 20-21% or will it be a lower import tax.

 

If you wanted pure speculation and opinion from me - I don't think you'll have any troubles. There have been some absolutely massive group orders (well in excess of 7kg) placed from the European Mint that have been delivered to the UK without issue. I would think they are far more interested in people bringing back "excessive" amounts of tobacco than silver and I can't even begin to think how they would justify claiming an amount of silver is excessive for personal use. That being said unless you are hoping to make a holiday out of it as well I would look in to whether flying out there is really worth the cost/your time versus just ordering it online and having it delivered like many do.

[Roy]

I've carried up to 100oz of silver coins in my hand luggage between Poland and the UK and get questioned every time.

"Moneta?' (coins)

Yes, I smile.

'Dobry, dziekuje!'  (ok, thank you)

Now, I'm particularly polite and devilishly handsome so this may work in my favour, but in my experience they are not interested.

Note: Coins not bullion bars.

[BackyardBullion]

If it is just for your own personal investment I don't think you have much to worry about. 

Also, no need to declare cash or cash equivalents unless it is over €10,000 I believe (worth researching that and checking though)

Remember, it is value of the metal, not the face value of the coins. 

I have flown from Estonia to the UK with 20kg of silver and it was all good so should be OK with you too. 

From a UK customs perspective nothing was even visible or noticeable when we arrived in the UK. The interesting part is going through airport security with this stuff. It shows up as a giant black blob on the X-rays so they will want to have a look most likely. 

Or so you would think, the chaps in Estonia must be used to it because they saw the x-ray, looked at me and asked, "is it silver?", I said "yes" and they waved me through without by or leave!!!

Here is a video of the trip we took to Estonia. 

 

[Roy]

There is your definitive answer George!

@AppleZippoandMetronome makes a good point here:

15 minutes ago, AppleZippoandMetronome said:

 That being said unless you are hoping to make a holiday out of it as well I would look in to whether flying out there is really worth the cost/your time versus just ordering it online and having it delivered like many do.

Tallinn is both beautiful and fascinating. Don't just pick up and leave! 😊

[GeorgeOwen]

1 hour ago, AppleZippoandMetronome said:

If you wanted pure speculation and opinion from me - I don't think you'll have any troubles. There have been some absolutely massive group orders (well in excess of 7kg) placed from the European Mint that have been delivered to the UK without issue. I would think they are far more interested in people bringing back "excessive" amounts of tobacco than silver and I can't even begin to think how they would justify claiming an amount of silver is excessive for personal use. That being said unless you are hoping to make a holiday out of it as well I would look in to whether flying out there is really worth the cost/your time versus just ordering it online and having it delivered like many do.

1 hour ago, AppleZippoandMetronome said:

 

For me to buy 6kgs of silver the vat is £550 in the UK but Estonia doesn't have any tax on precious metals so I was thinking that flying out which cost £150 would be cheaper to buy the same amount of silver or I could buy more silver than 6kgs and that would be cheaper than me buying 6kgs in England however if I get taxed on the way back it wont be worth it. Is that right

 

[GeorgeOwen]

1 hour ago, BackyardBullion said:

If it is just for your own personal investment I don't think you have much to worry about. 

Also, no need to declare cash or cash equivalents unless it is over €10,000 I believe (worth researching that and checking though)

Remember, it is value of the metal, not the face value of the coins. 

I have flown from Estonia to the UK with 20kg of silver and it was all good so should be OK with you too. 

From a UK customs perspective nothing was even visible or noticeable when we arrived in the UK. The interesting part is going through airport security with this stuff. It shows up as a giant black blob on the X-rays so they will want to have a look most likely. 

Or so you would think, the chaps in Estonia must be used to it because they saw the x-ray, looked at me and asked, "is it silver?", I said "yes" and they waved me through without by or leave!!!

Here is a video of the trip we took to Estonia. 

 

Ok so you didn't have to pay any tax once arriving in the UK, but we're your 20kgs in bars or coins.

Edited July 21, 2019 by GeorgeOwen
Missing

[BackyardBullion]

7 minutes ago, GeorgeOwen said:

Ok so you didn't have to pay any tax once arriving in the UK, but we're your 20kgs in bars or coins.

Silver shot, not coins.

[GeorgeOwen]

25 minutes ago, BackyardBullion said:

Silver shot, not coins.

What are silver shots are they just small circle shaped silver.

[BackyardBullion]

5 minutes ago, GeorgeOwen said:

What are silver shots are they just small circle shaped silver.

Basically pure silver blobs, thousands of them....in a bucket!

 

[sixgun]

2 hours ago, GeorgeOwen said:

For me to buy 6kgs of silver the vat is £550 in the UK but Estonia doesn't have any tax on precious metals so I was thinking that flying out which cost £150 would be cheaper to buy the same amount of silver or I could buy more silver than 6kgs and that would be cheaper than me buying 6kgs in England however if I get taxed on the way back it wont be worth it. Is that right

 

Estonia is in the EU. So bringing it back to the UK is not importing it from outside the EU.

There is tax on silver in certain forms of silver but coins are zero rated. There is a technicality regarding the shipping of the silver to remain tax free but if you are bring it back under your own steam you comply with this.

Silver is taxed, just the rate for coins is 0%.

If you buy coins and bring it back yourself there is no VAT to pay. You have already paid the EU VAT - which happens to be 0% on silver coins in Estonia.

Buy coins or coin bars and you will be alright. Have all your paperwork with you to show what you have and where you got it, but you have paid the taxes (nothing) so nothing to declare.

Edited July 21, 2019 by sixgun

[GeorgeOwen]

6 minutes ago, sixgun said:

Estonia is in the EU. So bringing it back to the UK is not importing it from outside the EU.

There is tax on silver in certain forms of silver but coins are zero rated. There is a technicality regarding the shipping of the silver to remain tax free but if you are bring it back under your own steam you comply with this.

Silver is taxed, just the rate for coins is 0%.

If you buy coins and bring it back yourself there is no VAT to pay. You have already paid the EU VAT - which happens to be 0% on silver coins in Estonia.

Buy coins or coin bars and you will be alright. Have all your paperwork with you to show what you have and where you got it, but you have paid the taxes (nothing) so nothing to declare.

Ok thanks so much for that.

[GeorgeOwen]

1 hour ago, BackyardBullion said:

Basically pure silver blobs, thousands of them....in a bucket!

 

Ok thanks, is that the best value of buying them or is it worth getting bars or blocks which are in set masses.

[BackyardBullion]

5 minutes ago, GeorgeOwen said:

Ok thanks, is that the best value of buying them or is it worth getting bars or blocks which are in set masses.

I would stick with coins if I were you, silver shot is almost impossible to sell for a decent price at the other end 

[AppleZippoandMetronome]

3 hours ago, GeorgeOwen said:

For me to buy 6kgs of silver the vat is £550 in the UK but Estonia doesn't have any tax on precious metals so I was thinking that flying out which cost £150 would be cheaper to buy the same amount of silver or I could buy more silver than 6kgs and that would be cheaper than me buying 6kgs in England however if I get taxed on the way back it wont be worth it. Is that right

 

If you aren't planning on enjoying the holiday and are going purely to get the silver...  just have it shipped. The insured shipping rate for 7kg of silver (I just added 7 x 1kg coins to the basket) is €70 from the European Mint. Save yourself the time, money and worries.

[GeorgeOwen]

24 minutes ago, AppleZippoandMetronome said:

If you aren't planning on enjoying the holiday and are going purely to get the silver...  just have it shipped. The insured shipping rate for 7kg of silver (I just added 7 x 1kg coins to the basket) is €70 from the European Mint. Save yourself the time, money and worries.

Well a plane ticket is only £50 more so I will fly over and stay a couple days as I've heard the capital of Estonia is beautiful. I will be buying this silver for a personal investment so should I stay away from large bars and shots and stick to 1kg bars or buying 1oz coins.

 

Edited July 21, 2019 by GeorgeOwen

[KitboyE17]

Tallinn is beautiful! Great food, great beer and great fun. Check out the Alexander Nevsky cathedral 

[GeorgeOwen]

6 minutes ago, KitboyE17 said:

Tallinn is beautiful! Great food, great beer and great fun. Check out the Alexander Nevsky cathedral 

41 minutes ago, AppleZippoandMetronome said:

 

Well that's sold it for me flying to Tallinn.

Edited July 21, 2019 by GeorgeOwen

[Robbi]

@GeorgeOwen I was wondering if you did have any troubles with this? I am planning on going to Tallinn at the end of november for the exact same reason - To buy a lot of silver coins. Bringing them back was the concern for me Especially with brexit looming. Might I ask for a follow up on your experience please?

 

 

[MintageSeller]

Hello, I have silver i would like to ship myself in the UK from the US what is the best way to do this? 

[Tn21]

On 16/10/2020 at 20:45, MintageSeller said:

Hello, I have silver i would like to ship myself in the UK from the US what is the best way to do this? 

@MintageSeller

How did you get on with the above ?

Any issues, what sort of quantity?

[MintageSeller]

10 hours ago, Tn21 said:

@MintageSeller

How did you get on with the above ?

Any issues, what sort of quantity?

I did not ship it i eventually ended up selling it, was around 2k worth of silver mercurys 90% it was when the price went up nearly 28ish around covid.