I should have another datum in a week or two. Not worried about VAT and handling charges, but more than a bit miffed that it's easier to order stainless steel toolwrap for heat treating from California than the UK.

Not strictly engineering, but I ordered some PSU cables from Corsair, they arrived through my door two days later and I was surprised to see they had been shipped airmail from the Netherlands. Nothing on the website to indicate this, and there was nothing to pay. Total value was below £15.

Rob

Edit – apologies, didn't realise the thread was strictly for Ebay purchases.

Edited By Grindstone Cowboy on 20/01/2021 13:42:51

A €375 purchase from UK via eBay cost we slightly north of €130 euro in extra charges "Customs&Taxes"

Unlikely to be doing that again.

Just FYI.

Frank C.

Am I right in thinking that if I buy an item at less than the threshold of £137 via ebay from China there will only be VAT to pay, and that will be collected by ebay. The postman will not be standing at my doorstep demanding more money for import duty and handling charge.

Doug

And don't forget when you come back from abroad and they want a list of anything over 100 quid or whatever

one phrase in the box

"personal effects"

And open everything so its useless, crack the top of that whisky bottle and take the cellophane off the cigarettes

Has anyone looked at the bottom part of a spirit bottle label, I noticed that there was a series of small cuts in the label. Sensing that it could be used for checking it's origin I cut a small piece off the bottom of the label just in case.

Yes, this is what should happen. On the eBay website it should say somewhere that the listed price includes VAT.

This thread was originally started by Michael for folks to hopefully confirm this is actually happening.

I’ve ordered a collet Chuck for £7.54 from PRC but it’s not due to land here until next month. WSS what happens, fingers crossed!

There are two different issues here:

• The VAT collection system has changed to make it harder for UK customers to avoid paying tax when buying from abroad, and,
• Leaving the European Union means the new border adds steps and charges, some of which are themselves liable to VAT.

So two sets of changes impacting UK imports and exports at the same time. It's confusing!

Whilst the effect on imports is of most interest to UK forum members there is the other side of the coin. Members living in Europe may be interested in the following advice I noticed buying carbon fibre this week from Easy Composites. It's clearer than most I've read and gives a costed example. I think the advice generally explains the uncertainty causing a certain amount of bother to business with the EU at the moment. But there is light at the end of the tunnel – this company is confident they can reduce the cost and inconvenience in future. The original is here, but because the advice is likely to change I've copied what it says today, 2 Feb 2021:

Basic message – don't assume the whole system is permanently wrecked if buying from the UK (or Europe) causes aggro during early 2021. The possibility of unexpected 'brokerage charges' is my main concern. Things should straighten out in due course.

We live in interesting times!

Dave

Edited By SillyOldDuffer on 02/02/2021 17:43:02

Well the collet Chuck I ordered just popped through the letterbox. No additional charges and it arrived in seven days!

It's not really a bad thing, we were getting pretty hedonistic with our consumption

I recall reading that we would need 4 planet earths if everyone lived like we do in the UK

There are lots of complaints on Ebay forums re 20% VAT being charged on books & other printed matter whereas it should be zero.

The same applies to other things like collectors items such as old coins, the VAT has always been and still is 5% but Ebay coin sellers in the EU have + 20% added to the listing.

From July 1st all of the EU will begin charging each other VAT on Ebay purchases exported within the block, the VAT will be charged at the buyers countries rate. The UK simply started doing it earlier but no doubt the EU members will have the same problems

Being a coin collector I have had several disputes with Customs in recent years, nearly always with coins bought from the USA and I get charged 20% VAT, I then have to fill in a form which eventually leads to a refund but no attempt to fix the problem. Even a coin bought for £10 inc post and being less than the (now lost) £15 VAT free minimum was recently included which then still results in me paying Royal Mail their £8 handling fee.