UK import duties / it is common knowlege, correct?

[a2jacketpatches]

"hi I have received a card today saying my items are in the post office .but I have to pay £11.55 CUSTOMS CHARGE I WAS NOT TOLD ABOUT THIS CHARGE I AM NOT HAPPY AT ALL"


This is a message I got this morning within the Ebay message system. It was for a 15.00 USD aerial Gunners Badge. I recently started ship First Class International at 8.00 to 10.00 because Priority is 23.95 for a flat rate envelope. I'm guessing the import duties would be the same and based on the item value. And the delivery period seems to be about the same between the two. And actually, I have declared lesser value for those who ask. But does this guy really have no idea? He seeems to be telling me as if I'm in charge of customs.

 

[TankBuster]

They are really cracking down on Customs charges over there. Like you said, it has nothing to do with you, so this guy really can't complain about it.

Lately I have been adding a blurb in my eBay listings stating that I am not responsible for any incurred customs fees and also that I will not declare a lesser value on items as eBay will not cover you if you do and something goes wrong. Unfortunately they are making overseas transactions difficult as of late.

 

[John Lever]

Customs and VAT/tax are the sole responsibility of the buyer not the seller ( importer not exporter) Anyone who is remotely clued up knows that there will be a charge due to customs on imports from the USA. This charge has nothing at all to do with you so if he is unhappy tell him to take it up with H.M.Customs.
If he is grumbling over a few £'s he must have issues. I have just paid £104 on a £300 jacket from NZ. As Jeff mentioned I too always state that any customs or tax charges are out of my control,similarly extreme weather causing delays.

 

[a2jacketpatches]

He just got back to me and cooled down quite a bit. I guess it's just a shock to consumers ( and myself ) that such a small item will double in price by the time it reaches you. Customs of £11.55 for a 15.00 item? Plus shipping? Ridiculous. I'll call it down right greedy as opposed to cracking down.

 

[JDAM]

There was a time not long ago whereby pretty much everything would sail through. Nowadays, it's all held, dissected and charged. Anybody in the UK who has ordered stuff from abroad in the last five years should know what the deal is.

 

[John Lever]

He just got back to me and cooled down quite a bit. I guess it's just a shock to consumers ( and myself ) that such a small item will double in price by the time it reaches you. Customs of £11.55 for a 15.00 item? Plus shipping? Ridiculous. I'll call it down right greedy as opposed to cracking down.

You might find that the majority of the charge is due to a flat rate handling charge of £13.50

 

[Rutger]

There's usually a minimum item value below which customs won't charge, it pays to find out how high that value is.
Ok, I did that, it's 15 GBP.

https://www.gov.uk/importing-and-export ... ng-by-post

So a US shipper could state the value at $15 and all should be well.

The receiver can complain at customs if he thinks he was unjustifiably charged.

If VAT is charged, then in Holland we also pay a fee to the customs feller who spent a lot of time (like 5 minutes) to calculate the amount of taxes you have to pay. I think they already get payed by the tax payer to do what they do, but obviously it's a better idea to have different people pay twice for one service.

 

[a2jacketpatches]

Shipping is 8.00 USD and the Ebay auto shipping puts the actual cost of the item, 15.00 USD. I am able to adjust things a bit and I often do to the actual value of the leather / materials, but not on an initial Ebay sale. A little communication after the sale via the private email address provided in the transaction allows for a little tweaking as well. Difficult on obvious items like electronics etc. but hand made items are easier.