New Import Duty/VAT Thread. Read Post #1 for Rules Updated 10/9/2024

nava

Mod: Merged with sticky "New Import Duty/VAT Thread. Read Post #1 for Rules" Thread

Suckit

Hamburgler wrote: »

Hi,

Can anyone advise what the situation is regarding import duty on a replacement item,

Last year I bought an electronic device from a supplier who shipped from Germany, obviously no import duty to be paid, after 8 months the unit developed a fault & the supplier agreed to replace the item

However the replacement was shipped from Hong Kong and the courier is now looking for duty to be paid as the item had a declared value of €80

Do I have to pay or can this be waived due to original purchase within EU?

Thanks!!

No, you are not required to pay anything. The company in Germany should have sorted that out, but if you can prove to the courier that the item was a replacement for a defective one, they should easily sort it.

Sometimes the courier will ask you to pay it, and leave it to you to sort out a refund from the revenue, in this instance it's not required for you to pay anything at all.

Juicystar11

whiterebel wrote: »

Have you gone to Revenue? What are the circumstances that you think you are due a refund?

I returned the goods back to the retailer and I spoke to Revenue about it.

DHL delivered the goods to me so Revenue said that DHL need to apply for the refund on my behalf. That's where I'm having trouble. I supplied DHL with the documentation needed but they're pretty much ignoring my request now.

camz09

Hey guys, I'm buying a shirt that costs $57 (~ 50 euros) including shipping from the USA. I know there's going to be a 23% vat added on it, totalling to about 61-62 euros. Is the handling fee of 10-15 euros a sure thing? I'm not sure if AnPost or another company will deliver it. So I should be expecting around 75 euros worth for my item, is that right?

ohnonotgmail

camz09 wrote: »

Hey guys, I'm buying a shirt that costs $57 (~ 50 euros) including shipping from the USA. I know there's going to be a 23% vat added on it, totalling to about 61-62 euros. Is the handling fee of 10-15 euros a sure thing? I'm not sure if AnPost or another company will deliver it. So I should be expecting around 75 euros worth for my item, is that right?

if your package is stopped by customs and vat is due then whoever is delivering it will add their fee for processing the customs payment. there is no way around that. an post charge 10 the couriers charge 15.

mateonboard

Does anyone know what happens if parcel is stopped by customs and I want to return it to the seller?

I didn't know that I would need to pay for customs clearance, so I would like to return this. It's a smartphone I've ordered from Aliexpress for 250€ but with customs it will be around 370€ I guess, so not worth it.

Do I still need to pay for import or they can return item to the sender?

Thanks.

ohnonotgmail

mateonboard wrote: »

Does anyone know what happens if parcel is stopped by customs and I want to return it to the seller?

I didn't know that I would need to pay for customs clearance, so I would like to return this. It's a smartphone I've ordered from Aliexpress for 250€ but with customs it will be around 370€ I guess, so not worth it.

Do I still need to pay for import or they can return item to the sender?

Thanks.

customs wont return an item. if the duty/vat is not paid the item is destroyed.

mateonboard

ohnonotgmail wrote: »

customs wont return an item. if the duty/vat is not paid the item is destroyed.

Yikes, thanks a lot for fast reply.
On the letter I received from Athlone Mails Centre it says "If a reply is not received within 14 days the parcel may be returned to the sender."

ohnonotgmail

mateonboard wrote: »

Yikes, thanks a lot for fast reply.
On the letter I received from Athlone Mails Centre it says "If a reply is not received within 14 days the parcel may be returned to the sender."

may be. but it wont.

Suckit

I can't remember exactly, but there is a way. I think you can claim it is faulty or not as expected.
Maybe somebody else would be better help, but I know there is a 'way' of doing it.

I think they only destroy items of less than €50 value. But again, not sure.

ohnonotgmail

Suckit wrote: »

I can't remember exactly, but there is a way. I think you can claim it is faulty or not as expected.
Maybe somebody else would be better help, but I know there is a 'way' of doing it.

customs wont release it until the money is paid.

Suckit

ohnonotgmail wrote: »

customs wont release it until the money is paid.

Yeah, but there is definitely a way of making them return it without losing anything. I just can't remember how. I did a couple of years ago.
I think if they said it will be returned, then it will. So it won't be destroyed.

mateonboard

Suckit wrote: »

I can't remember exactly, but there is a way. I think you can claim it is faulty or not as expected.
Maybe somebody else would be better help, but I know there is a 'way' of doing it.

I think they only destroy items of less than €50 value. But again, not sure.

Yeah, but then I'm wondering, if I return an item to the seller as faulty, then I would be refunded the amount phone is worth, not phone + import taxes. And anyway even if I received refund + import taxes from seller then it's not fair to them, as it's not there fault that I need to pay import tax.

I was thinking there is a way to just return item and pay only for shipping, not import taxes.
I've sent message to the email they've provided on the letter, it's Revenues email, but they just replied "Can you send evidence of the price paid for the phone?" Clearly not interested in my idea of returning item to the seller.

Not sure if it's worth gambling and trusting them they will return item, if it's gets destroyed then I've lost 250€, otherwise I will "lose" 120€ on import tax. Next time I'll order from EU, just wasn't thinking enough about import taxes.

Suckit

mateonboard wrote: »

Yeah, but then I'm wondering, if I return an item to the seller as faulty, then I would be refunded the amount phone is worth, not phone + import taxes. And anyway even if I received refund + import taxes from seller then it's not fair to them, as it's not there fault that I need to pay import tax.

I was thinking there is a way to just return item and pay only for shipping, not import taxes.
I've sent message to the email they've provided on the letter, it's Revenues email, but they just replied "Can you send evidence of the price paid for the phone?" Clearly not interested in my idea of returning item to the seller.

Not sure if it's worth gambling and trusting them they will return item, if it's gets destroyed then I've lost 250€, otherwise I will "lose" 120€ on import tax. Next time I'll order from EU, just wasn't thinking enough about import taxes.

If phone cost you €250, then tax should only be €57.50 + handling fees of €15ish.

Not €120.

Who is delivering it? An Post or DHL/Courier? I was thinking DHL initially. But if it's An Post, then that is different.

How to claim a refund of Customs Duty and Value-Added Tax (VAT)

If you returned the goods you bought to the seller, you may be able to claim a refund of the customs charges paid. You should apply in writing for a refund to the import station or mail centre where the goods arrived, for example, Dublin Airport or Portlaoise Mail Centre. You cannot claim a refund until the duty has been paid.
Your application should contain the following:

• your full name and address
• your Personal Public Service Number (PPSN)
• the reason for your refund request, for example, returns or replacements
• proof of payment of Customs Duties and Value-Added Tax (VAT)
• a copy of the invoice, and any other relevant documents
• proof that the goods were returned, for example, an email from the seller stating that the goods have been returned
• proof of a refund to your bank or credit card account.

Revenue will process your application and you will be informed of the decision.

https://www.revenue.ie/en/importing-vehicles-duty-free-allowances/buying-of-goods-online-for-personal-use/how-to-claim-a-refund-of-customs-duty-and-vat.aspx

If it is DHL or another courier, and you pay and accept it to return, then you need to follow the above guide too. You shold only deal with Revenue. You will not be able to reclaim handling charges.

mateonboard

Suckit wrote: »

If phone cost you €250, then tax should only be €57.50 + handling fees of €15ish.

Not €120.

Who is delivering it? An Post or DHL/Courier? I was thinking DHL initially. But if it's An Post, then that is different.




If it is DHL or another courier, and you pay and accept it to return, then you need to follow the above guide too. You shold only deal with Revenue. You will not be able to reclaim handling charges.

Thanks a lot. It's actually An Post, initially I've ordered phone with DHL, but seller told me because it's fast delivery that I will most likely pay import fee and if I ordered through slower/standard shipping method that I probably won't pay import tax. So I cancelled order and reordered with standard shipping.

An Post is handling it now, does then import fee change from what you said?

€75 seems better , it's fine, I was looking at this page using first example and it came up about 120€ for import (if that example is correct, designer Jeans over €150 example):
revenue.ie/en/importing-vehicles-duty-free-allowances/buying-of-goods-online-for-personal-use/buying-goods-from-outside-the-eu.aspx

Suckit

mateonboard wrote: »

An Post is handling it now, does then import fee change from what you said?

€75 seems better , it's fine, I was looking at this page using first example and it came up about 120€ for import (if that example is correct, designer Jeans over €150 example):
revenue.ie/en/importing-vehicles-duty-free-allowances/buying-of-goods-online-for-personal-use/buying-goods-from-outside-the-eu.aspx

Use this site - https://www.calculatevat.net/
And add €12.50 (I think) for An Post handling charge, it could be €15.

There is a thread over here that lists phone recommendations from China and sites to buy from that will have vat included in the price.
https://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2057892570
It's been going a while so you may only want to look at the first post and scroll to the end (for future purchases).

mateonboard

Suckit wrote: »

Use this site -
And add €12.50 (I think) for An Post handling charge, it could be €15.

There is a thread over here that lists phone recommendations from China and sites to buy from that will have vat included in the price.

It's been going a while so you may only want to look at the first post and scroll to the end (for future purchases).

I think this site counts only VAT and not import charges, I would need to pay both. If item is above 22€ value then I need to pay VAT and if above 150€ I need to also pay custom import charges, if I got it correctly?

Thanks for the above thread, interesting.

Suckit

mateonboard wrote: »

I think this site counts only VAT and not import charges, I would need to pay both. If item is above 22€ value then I need to pay VAT and if above 150€ I need to also pay custom import charges, if I got it correctly?

Thanks for the above thread, interesting.

Not for a phone. Electronic goods such as Laptops, Mobile Phones, Digital cameras and Video Games etc. are duty free.

mateonboard

Suckit wrote: »

Not for a phone. Electronic goods such as Laptops, Mobile Phones, Digital cameras and Video Games etc. are duty free.

Oh, thanks, didn't know.
I've send them copy of the receipt they asked for, we'll see how it goes. Thanks a lot again for all replies.

mateonboard

@Suckit you were right, it was exactly as you said, it is duty free. I received a message yesterday afternoon saying "The total charge, payable to An Post at the delivery stage, is €68.16. This amount includes vat and the standard An Post fee of €10.00." This matches price of the phone + VAT + An Post fee. Thanks.

breadbin

no seriously i got a letter from revenue, arrival of post C&e 160 where it asks me to send an email of proof of purchase. The tracking number of the parcel is on the top of it. The following day, before I sent the email back to them, the postman delivered it and I paid the duties to him. Do I need to do anything else?


why would i get a letter and then they send the parcel anyway?

scamalert

breadbin wrote: »

no seriously i got a letter from revenue, arrival of post C&e 160 where it asks me to send an email of proof of purchase. The tracking number of the parcel is on the top of it. The following day, before I sent the email back to them, the postman delivered it and I paid the duties to him. Do I need to do anything else?


why would i get a letter and then they send the parcel anyway?

well id imagine if you didn't pay up the postman wouldn't handed the parcel ? either way seems they sent out letter first for what you owed before postman got to you, but once you paid dont think there's anything else to be done.

breadbin

scamalert wrote: »

well id imagine if you didn't pay up the postman wouldn't handed the parcel ? either way seems they sent out letter first for what you owed before postman got to you, but once you paid dont think there's anything else to be done.

I emailed them and they said to disregard the letter. It's strange because normally they wouldn't send it until I email them.

ScrubsfanChris

Hope this is the right place for this.

I recently had to send my Onewheel (electric skateboard thing) back to the manufacturer for a repair under warranty (faulty bluetooth.)
It unfortunately had to go all the way back to California but because it was under warranty they pre-paid for shipping to and from via Fedex, so no cost to me so far.

I got confirmation yesterday its all fixed and I'll be getting a tracking number soon.
Now I bought the board from a shop in Ireland a couple months ago so I have already paid the Irish VAT.

Surely there will be no import/customs duty to pay as after all it was an Irish purchase to being with and only left the country for repair?

Any help on this would be appreciated.

Trick of the Tail

The company sending it back to you will need to attach a 'commercial invoice' to the package.

In this they should state what it is, its original retail value, and 'ITEM BEING RETURNED AFTER WARRANTY REPAIR - NO COMMERCIAL VALUE'.

Then hopefully you won't get charged the import VAT.

ScrubsfanChris wrote: »

Hope this is the right place for this.

I recently had to send my Onewheel (electric skateboard thing) back to the manufacturer for a repair under warranty (faulty bluetooth.)
It unfortunately had to go all the way back to California but because it was under warranty they pre-paid for shipping to and from via Fedex, so no cost to me so far.

I got confirmation yesterday its all fixed and I'll be getting a tracking number soon.
Now I bought the board from a shop in Ireland a couple months ago so I have already paid the Irish VAT.

Surely there will be no import/customs duty to pay as after all it was an Irish purchase to being with and only left the country for repair?

Any help on this would be appreciated.

ScrubsfanChris

Trick of the Tail wrote: »

The company sending it back to you will need to attach a 'commercial invoice' to the package.

In this they should state what it is, its original retail value, and 'ITEM BEING RETURNED AFTER WARRANTY REPAIR - NO COMMERCIAL VALUE'.

Then hopefully you won't get charged the import VAT.

Thanks, that great help.
Just sent them an email with your recommendation. Hopefully its not too late and they haven't shipped it already.

Out of interest, what recourse do I have if custom decide to charge me something?
I have purchase receipts and proof it originally departed from Ireland.

ScrubsfanChris

Trick of the Tail wrote: »

The company sending it back to you will need to attach a 'commercial invoice' to the package.

They actually sent me this in a previous email I'd forgotten about.
It was printed and placed with the Fedex and other documents with the box.

I've just removed the personnel and other such data for here....

Dumitru Ivanov

Sounds like a pretty complicated scenario. Have you considered contracting a customs consultancy company?

ScrubsfanChris

Dumitru Ivanov wrote: »

Sounds like a pretty complicated scenario. Have you considered contracting a customs consultancy company?

Fedex (in Dublin) rang me this morning asking for basiclaly whats talked about above, proof of warranty and a copy of the WARRANTY REPAIR invoice.

Waiting to hear back, hopefully its sorted.

ScrubsfanChris

ScrubsfanChris wrote: »

Fedex (in Dublin) rang me this morning asking for basiclaly whats talked about above, proof of warranty and a copy of the WARRANTY REPAIR invoice.

Waiting to hear back, hopefully its sorted.

Got delivered yesterday, no payment needed.

harr

Quick question...google didn’t give an answer or the answer I wanted
So purchased a second hand camera lens from Japan (40 years old ) I paid €35 euro for it and it arrived this morning with the post man and revenue looking for €30 custom charges.
The lens is barely worth that and it’s definitely not worth the €35 purchase price plus €30 customs.
I honestly haven’t had to pay customs before on second hand products, I have paid it for new gear I got form the US.
Does the 30 quid sound right or should I try claim it back or just not bother picking lens up.

( didn’t have cash for post man so he brought it back to post office)

ohnonotgmail

harr wrote: »

Quick question...google didn’t give an answer or the answer I wanted
So purchased a second hand camera lens from Japan (40 years old ) I paid €35 euro for it and it arrived this morning with the post man and revenue looking for €30 custom charges.
The lens is barely worth that and it’s definitely not worth the €35 purchase price plus €30 customs.
I honestly haven’t had to pay customs before on second hand products, I have paid it for new gear I got form the US.
Does the 30 quid sound right or should I try claim it back or just not bother picking lens up.

( didn’t have cash for post man so he brought it back to post office)

€10 of that is the customs handling fee that an post impose. you also pay vat on the cost of the item plus the shipping cost. if there is no invoice in the parcel then customs estimate a value. take a look at the first post in the thread for a full explanation.

scamalert

it all boils down how the declaration was put down on customs form by sender, its been years since I had to pay import tax, but contacting them with paypal invoice would be first go to.


Thou as mentioned handling fee cant be avoided so its a big chunk of change for your price of purchase.

Suckit

Shipping must have been €10.
Lens €35 + Shipping €10 = €45 + VAT €10.35 = €55.35 + An Post Handling €10 = €65.35

ohnonotgmail

Suckit wrote: »

Shipping must have been €10.
Lens €35 + Shipping €10 = €45 + VAT €10.35 = €55.35 + An Post Handling €10 = €65.35

An post were looking for €30 on top of what was already paid. 10 of that is the handling fee leaving 20 for vat.

Suckit

ohnonotgmail wrote: »

An post were looking for €30 on top of what was already paid. 10 of that is the handling fee leaving 20 for vat.

No, €10 is shipping, and €10 is VAT.


Lens €35 + Shipping €10 = €45
VAT on €45 = €10.35 which brings the price to €55.35 including delivery.
Then An Post Handling fee is €10 = €65.35

ohnonotgmail

Suckit wrote: »

No, €10 is shipping, and €10 is VAT.


Lens €35 + Shipping €10 = €45
VAT €10.35 = €55.35
An Post Handling €10 = €65.35

you might want to look at that again. an post requested 30 at the door. 10 of that was the handling fee. that means the rest must have been VAT. the shipping cost you mention would have already been paid by the buyer and an post would not be requesting it from them at the door.

Suckit

ohnonotgmail wrote: »

you might want to look at that again. an post requested 30 at the door. 10 of that was the handling fee. that means the rest must have been VAT. the shipping cost you mention would have already been paid by the buyer and an post would not be requesting it from them at the door.

Gotcha... You're right.
I am after confusing myself.

So customs must have guesstimated/calculated the shipping to have been €50ish, which would mean they value the whole item at around €85 delivered :eek:. Which would put the VAT up to €20 + €10 handling.

I wonder are they using the DHL 'volumetric' calculator.

I would 100% dispute that,

scamalert

https://imgur.com/a/tCvAxTJ going by this, sorry cant ingrain image, but 23pc+10nner for handling seems should be 18.05 total, unless theres some claim for additional transportation fees after it hit EU, seems over top to pay almost 100% on top of purchase price.

harr

OP here ..
Seller clearly had cost marked on the package and postage cost again was clearly visible... I made contact with revenue and they have asked to send them eBay confirmation on price and PayPal info .... no matter what what happens I will have to pay the on post handling fee.
I honestly can’t figure out where or how they calculated the €30 ..
What happens if I don’t pay it and don’t pick it up in post office ? Would they continue to look for it ?
As I said I have no issues paying vat or fees if they are appropriate to cost of item .

Thank for reply’s so far

ohnonotgmail

If you dont pay the package will most likely be destroyed.

Suckit

Was it €35 including shipping? If so then VAT should only be €8.

harr

Suckit wrote: »

Was it €35 including shipping? If so then VAT should only be €8.

Yeah €35 in total

rubadub

I have found revenue & an post to be excellent in regards to fees. I have emailed in ebay and paypal statements before and never had any hassle.

I remember putting in a note of "shipping is listed as $0 since the website includes shipping in their pricing and so call it "free shipping" for "marketing purposes. "

Now the dogs on the street know this is the case, but the couriers act/play dumb over this.

whiterebel

harr wrote: »

OP here ..
Seller clearly had cost marked on the package and postage cost again was clearly visible... I made contact with revenue and they have asked to send them eBay confirmation on price and PayPal info .... no matter what what happens I will have to pay the on post handling fee.
I honestly can’t figure out where or how they calculated the €30 ..
What happens if I don’t pay it and don’t pick it up in post office ? Would they continue to look for it ?
As I said I have no issues paying vat or fees if they are appropriate to cost of item .

Thank for reply’s so far

Ask them for a copy of the customs entry. It sounds like they don't believe the valuation that was put on it. It does sound cheap for a lens, including postage, from Japan. They'll probably refund you once they see the proof of what you paid.

harr

whiterebel wrote: »

Ask them for a copy of the customs entry. It sounds like they don't believe the valuation that was put on it. It does sound cheap for a lens, including postage, from Japan. They'll probably refund you once they see the proof of what you paid.

I have emailed them the info they wanted so hopefully it will be sorted I also sent them a link to the eBay page where it shows a number of similar lenses at same price. Similar to this one

py2006

Customs overcharging me

Purchased some jeans at half price from Nautica using Addresspal. Totaling €84. An post dude just left card in letterbox and never rang bell. He wrote on it that I owe €49.28 to customs. ffs. :mad:

breadbin

I was thinking of buying a once in a lifetime titanium bicycle frame from Japan but the thoughts of giving the Irish government 23% of it (€1000) is enough to change my mind. I give them enough already.

chopperp

might be subject to Anti dumping charge also

witnessmenow

I ordered something today (electronics parts) and my total including delivery was ~€24 , so more than the €22 limit but less than the €26 mentioned in the"Non Collection of Small amounts" part of the OP.

It is being delivered by DHL, will they insist I pay customs? (And get them selves the nice €15/16 admin fee!)

Seller was using something called "DHL eCommerce", different and slower to a regular DHL option they have