I;ve only had to use it twice and no problems. I'm not keen on the idea either largely because of the UK protectionist import duty policies. Lots of items come into the UK with the value set to zero because of these. The whole area needs sorting out especially in respect to just how much should be charged for collecting taxes. Personally I don't mind the 20% too much but might try to evade it but having paid £13 to collect a few quid in taxes all done over the internet automatically I think the whole thing is insane. It encourages people to ask for and often get false customs value to be marked on the documents.

Pitney Bowes must be sending the funds to the correct counties customs service otherwise it would be illegal. I have no idea what they charge for the service. Things re appear on ebay for a number of reasons – some one bidding things up and winning, it happens and also sellers feeling that they should have got more money for the item. Some probably decide they don't want to fill in the export forms or what ever.

John

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I've not noticed any delay with GSP. The cheaper USPS service delivery time is variable, the faster one less so.

The UK's rather low tax free limit is purely down to certain types of retailers winging – in fact when £15 was announced the words we think this will do it were used. Seems £18 didn't. The Channel Island's privilege 's have also been messed with but one item I bought just sailed through for some reason.

Ebay seems to be helping gov's collect their taxes according to one US seller. Sellers can now print labels for export directly and it also prints the value on them. I sometimes explain the problem purely down to the collection charge. Many sellers will help or used to. Some people worry about insurance values – read what's covered and where.

John

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I just bought something under GSP that I really need so not much choice. I can only find them in the US. According to the price I would expect to have to pay tax – none was charged. If I do get charged I will be after a hefty ebay voucher. Total cost for a £17 item about £28 so this seller charges fairly fair shipping costs. Some don't.

Last time I looked I gave up trying to understand HMRC's guides, they referred to bits and pieces all over the place. Also 2 confusing items. One around £150, tax less than expected and charges lower than usual, another around £250 the same. Both were when the limit was £18. One item also had import duty the other didn't. Telescope in one case and a microscope in the other. The telescope was interesting – very special price in the US and some other countries – no signs of any price changes here and less bits and pieces to go with it. I asked a US small normal retailer I just found on the web to order it for me and ship it on. He also checked it over and was prepared to send it back if not as expected. There are all sorts of options if some one really needs something.

John

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It's a good one charging VAT on imports from outside the EU. I can't quite see where in the EU the value is being added…

Neil

People who sell things add value Neil or so they say but I have never figured out the reason why. Maybe add value means push up the price and make a profit doing little worth while in many cases.

John

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Because HMRC wrote the rules

MichaelG.

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Edit: … on the subject of HMRC writing the rules: Anyone thinking of starting-up might find this news item of interest.

Edited By Michael Gilligan on 18/06/2015 09:19:21