What's new
British Ordnance Collectors Network

This is a sample guest message. Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!

Is this the norm?

pointblank0

pointblank0

BOCN Supporter
Hello all.
I ordered a non ordnance item from the US about 1 month ago. It was small and cost about $35 with $30 postage.

I got a letter from Parcelforce today stating that I had to pay Customs charges for clearence fee and VAT on top which came to a total of 16!

This has never happened before. Why would I have got charged this?
 
Yes its normal, though I thought that the cost didn't apply below a certain ammount (40 I thought, though I may be wrong). The worst part of this is Royal Mails handling charge, which is often higher than the customs charge!!

I think you can appeal if you think you have been wrongly charged - may be worth looking into.

The charge is for importing items from a non-EU Country.

hope this helps ... I had this charge too and it rather defeated the object of buying as it worked out very expensive with the added charge.

regards Kev
 
The same in Spain, you have to check with your Post what are the limits for pay taxes for an outside Europe parcel. Once you know those values you will can elude them asking a lower value to seller.
 
Yes, it's always only a question about paperwork between buyer and seller:bigsmile:
 
Thanks everyone. Oh well. Yeah, the idea was to buy for reasons of cheapness. Must admit though, I must have been very lucky in the past as it's the first time I have been charged for it.
Never mind
 
I purchase every now and then items outside EU. If the value + shipping exceeds a certain limit ( appr. 50 E ) I have to pay 23% VAT, as well as some 7% custom duties in some cases.
Therefore I only buy cheap items:tinysmile_grin_t:
 
Tmine35 said:
I purchase every now and then items outside EU. If the value + shipping exceeds a certain limit ( appr. 50 E ) I have to pay 23% VAT, as well as some 7% custom duties in some cases.
Therefore I only buy cheap items:tinysmile_grin_t:
Click to expand...

Ah, that makes sense. I didn't think it included postage, so that would be why then. The VAT was 8.90 and the custom charge was 8.
 
Yes, those fuc...ing bas...ards are very clever. Here the limit was 60 euro, now they took down it and it is 20 euro.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top