Duty limit raised for online purchases14 Nov 2008Internet shoppers who buy goods from outside the EU will no longer have to pay customs duty on items worth less than £105, under new rules announced by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC).From 1 December the duty-free limit for non-EU goods purchased online will rise from £18 to £105.As a result, many items such as CDs, DVDs, computer games and clothes will no longer attract duty. However, VAT will still be levied on goods worth £18 or more.The new rules should also deter retailers from dispatching multiple purchases in separate packages to avoid the import charge.'If you are buying goods from countries outside the EU, it is in your interests to know what the rules are,' said Doug Tweddle of HMRC.'For example, some websites do not always make clear there is duty or VAT to pay, while others may misrepresent or undervalue your goods to try and avoid paying charges.'If goods were found to be wrongly declared, they could be seized and the customer penalised,' he warned.