Net shoppers tax warning Alert on buying abroad

MIDLAND net surfers are being warned they could face jail if theybuy goods from abroad to avoid paying tax.

Regional trading standards officers have spoken out after anumber of instances where they have intercepted goods, with the helpof customs and excise officers, which were bought over the internet.

They have discovered people purchasing items such as cigarettesat prices dramatically below those in Britain where there is heaviertaxation.

In one case, a Midland buyer who has not been named bought 400cigarettes for pounds 40 over the internet.

But when they arrived customs officers found the package andforced the person to pay pounds 67 in duty and VAT.

This increased the price of the cigarettes to pounds 25 more thanthe same number would have cost from a supermarket.

Officers are now warning they might not stop at forcing people topay tax. They can also confiscate the goods, issue fines or seekprosecution through the courts with custodial sentences of up toseven years.

Noel Hunter, trading standards officer in Warwickshire, said:"The internet is a fantastic new market place but consumers mustunderstand that prices for goods advertised on the web, which may atfirst glance appear fully inclusive, may not be.

"I would advise anyone thinking of buying on the net to read thesmall print thoroughly and ask the question 'Is duty and VATincluded?'"

A customs spokesman said: "People have got to be aware that theremight be VAT or duty to be paid on goods ordered through theinternet.

"The apparent bargain may turn out to be not so good value formoney."

Anyone wanting to check the amounts of VAT and duty to be paid ongoods can call customs and excise on 0121 697 4000, or visit thewebsite on www.hmce.gov.uk