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Customs charges/VAT on goods from United States

  • 24-02-2007 10:38am
    #1
    podge3
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,776 ✭✭✭


    I'm thinking of buying goods from an American eBayer to the value of about $850 carriage included.

    Any know what the chances are of being caught for import charges?

    If caught, what are the actual charges?

    Thanks.


Comments

  • #2
    Nephew
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,340 ✭✭✭Nephew


    If its delivered by a courier, Fedex, UPS etc you'll get hit for customs. I don't know what the percentage is but something that expensive I'd say a couple of hundred euro. If you get the person sending it to mark down the value it won't be as bad. Just because they mark the value as e50 it doesn't mean you'll avoid customs but you have a better chance and whatever you pay will be a lot less than if they mark $850.


  • #3
    copacetic
    Subscribers Posts: 16,617 ✭✭✭✭copacetic


    it depends on what you buy, different items get different levels of VAT and import duty. but anywwhere from 21% to 30% is normal, but it can go higher, customs duty, excise duty + vat. iextra fees and 'special charges' can be tacked on depending on the carrier...


  • #4
    ainemolloy1
    Closed Accounts Posts: 51 ✭✭ainemolloy1


    Bought a reconditioned dictaphone on ebay US over Xmas: Price 30 euros delivery 20euros. Happy days I thought as they are about 100euro in the shops. Sent by FedEX. I thought the shipping charge was high , as I'm sure it would have been substantially cheaper through US mail.

    Anyway got the dictaphone and it was well worth the fiddling around on ebay. Until... 4 weeks ago I got a bill from FedEx for 21 euro, for import tax and administration fee. Didn't pay it yat and got another sterner letter on Monday. Bloody Nightmare, how the heck can something that costs 30euro be charged 21euro for tax. It's crazy. So anyway if your ebayer only sends their items by courier (as a lot of US ebayers seem to do) you will definetly be charged an arm and a leg. If they send it by standard mail then it's a gamble, but they still have to declare how much it cost on the package, so you will have to ask them to tell a white lie to avoid the charges. Then it depends on what type of person you got I suppose. An Post can open what they like.

    I've given up on US ebay for this very fact. It's a real pain though as some goods are remarkably cheaper over there, than in the EU even if they were manufactured in the EU in the first place. I was tempted to buy an expensive swiss watch as the prices between EU and US don't compare, but reluctantly gave up the idea because of the prospect of a fat bill for no sha+gging reason other than to protect the high street jewellers margins. And the revenue commissioners wages.


  • #5
    Ruu_Old
    Closed Accounts Posts: 36,634 ✭✭✭✭Ruu_Old


    Moved from Bargain Alerts and remember to read this before stating your reply.

    Check the revenue website and it might give you some more info.


  • #6
    podge3
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,776 ✭✭✭podge3


    Thanks for the replies.

    I think the Seller uses "USPS Global Express Mail" which sound a bit like our express mail and not a courier.

    I'm having second thoughts now...


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  • #7
    scout353
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,170 ✭✭✭scout353


    Bought a camera on Ebay from US - arrived in four days but didn't work properly so I had to send it back. Then I got a customs bill from Fed EX and now that I have been refunded my money for the camera, I am still stuck with a bill for the customs for an item I don't have!!


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