Thread: ebay blues

Originally Posted by OLD_SCHOOL

Perhaps after he replies and stuff, you could politely advise him to put a notice saying that the buyer is responsible for any levy's and taxes imposed by their own government. Just a thought.

Thats all i'm after. Its not much to ask is it?

I didn't have to wait long . . . . .

Sorry for that. It just fit...

So I am expecting a parcel from the US (Simon, you hear me? You rule!). It will contain an unspecified number of razors and some hones. And stuff. Anyhow, if I read this correctly, there should be no customs charge. That's according to EU Regulations/Decisions 2261/98. Thing is, far as I know, the UK is part of the EU. Does not feel like it at all, mind you.

That said, IANAL. Would be interesting to know though, I think.

You link to safety razors. Its not a safety razor. I believe it would come under the category of 'Razors' ie 8212 10.

In my deliver the razors were valued at over $100 so I got stung. Or was it £100.... either way, thats the reason.

Originally Posted by sidneykidney

You link to safety razors. Its not a safety razor. I believe it would come under the category of 'Razors' ie 8212 10.

In my deliver the razors were valued at over $100 so I got stung. Or was it £100.... either way, thats the reason.

My wife (a lawyer, for what it's worth when it comes to importing razors) says it's actually 8212 90. Does not make any difference, though - still no customs charge. We are both confused.

Sandy, I empathise as I've been stung multiple times for tax. What makes it even worse is the tax (at usual levels) is only half the story... Royal Mail or ParcelForce or whoever they are will charge a handling fee for paying customs on your behalf, up front. This is a flat fee and is disproportionate to the tax on small purchases. The total cost of strops from Tony, for example, have often ended up 50% more as a result.

None of this is the seller's fault, of course, And as others have indicated, it's impossible for an ebay seller to know in advance what a successful buyer would have to pay in tax, or if they're liable for tax at all. It's just one of those things which can happen when buying outside of the EU.

There have been happy occasions where my parcel has slipped through the net, but they seem to be better at picking them out now. I'd chalk it down to experience.

Originally Posted by Kees

Sidneykidney,

I am afraid this is no fault of the seller. What you have to pay is VAT levied by the British government.

Yep, the seller has nothing to do with this - blame your government, just like I blame mine.

Originally Posted by majurey

The total cost of strops from Tony, for example, have often ended up 50% more as a result.

My TM strop cost me more 40% because of these taxes. It differs from country to country, but they all have one thing in common - they're stupid taxes.