Tax, duty and excise rates - where to find the exchange rates?

Thirdfox

Does anyone know where the exchange rates are published for the month?

Also, what is the legality of a delivery company charging you an administration fee (for paying the duty for you etc.) when at the original point of sale this was not mentioned at all? Surely the contract must state this extra charge for it to be valid?

^Hypothetical question - I'm studying contract law right now.

johnfás

Hypothetical .....

Presumably you are talking about something which was purchased from outside the European Union and therefore liable to these duties. Had it been purchased in Ireland VAT would have been included in the purchase price.

So far as I am aware, all these duties fall on you, as technically you are the importer of goods above the threshold. I would not have thought there is any obligation on the vendor to inform you of these costs as they have no responsibility for their payment.

I think the issue regarding the collection of outstanding excise etc is a far more interesting question though. Presumably the various courier companies have contracts with the Revenue Commissioners that they act on their behalf. However, I fail to see why one cannot settle their debt directly with the Revenue rather than paying a large administration fee to the courier firm. This precise situation actually came up quite recently when the girlfriend's little sister ordered some clothes from America off the internet. A couple of days after arrival FEDex sent her a letter requesting the various duties to be paid. I told her parents that they should get in touch with the Revenue Commissioners in order to clarify the situation but they weren't bothered so I still don't know! I know from their experience that if you don't pay quickly they start sending threatening letters anyway

Thirdfox

Oh I (hypothetically) would be under the threshold anyway (currently at 22 euro) see here:
http://www.revenue.ie/index.htm?/faqs/faq_cat5.htm

"Goods of Negligible Value

Packages, other than those containing tobacco or tobacco products, alcoholic products, perfumes or toilet waters with a value of €22 regardless of status (for private or commercial use) are admitted free of customs duty and VAT under the scheme commonly known as "small packages" relief."

But doing research I found that people who were charged this admin fee decided to pay without challenging it...but is it legally enforcable?

Thirdfox

Any ideas anyone?

I never signed any contract with the delivery company nor did I agree to their terms and conditions - they couldn't legally enforce their charge could they?

Del2005

Thirdfox wrote: »

Any ideas anyone?

I never signed any contract with the delivery company nor did I agree to their terms and conditions - they couldn't legally enforce their charge could they?

I doubt they could enforce the charges. But all they'd do is send the item back and you'd be out of pocket for it. They are providing a service to you, as you have gone over the limit and it costs them money to do this.

TBH we've got away without paying the duty that was due for ages and now we are complaining cause they have started to enforce the law. Only way around it is to buy from within the EU.

Thirdfox

Oh in my personal case I haven't gone over the limit so that's not a problem (hence me posing the hypothetical question).