What do I need to know regarding buying from America?

This will be posted to the UK to my business address for me to sell on. The American company send to me OK then what happens, Duty, Vat, how and where/when do I pay this.
Do I need to inform anyone official? Do I need an import licence?
Anything else?

G this would be toothpaste. toothbrushes, after shave, shaving cream etc. Any further info you have will be great.

The answers to your questions vary quiet a lot depending on what you are getting.

If the item you bought required an import licence, the seller would likely let you know.

The sender takes the item to their post office in america and complete a Customs decleration on what the goods are and who it is going to.

When it arrives in the UK, it gets checked at Customs, where the Custom fees and Vat would be levied.

Goods below certain values and of certain types would pass through.

For goods that incur these charges, a letter is ussually sent to the receiver telling them what is due.

If you provide better details on what it is, your question could be answered more fully.

It mainly depends on the amount of goods order and the way they ship to you.

If you order you could get it no problems, but it is possible it will get stopped at customs at which point they will send you a letter telling you how much more you have to pay to get your goods released