Buying online from US - Customs?

di11on

I'm thinking of purchasing some computer peripherals from the US. The cost will be about 220 compared to around 320 to get the stuff from UK (not available in Ireland).

The shipping company used by the site is UPS.

I have a couple of questions:

1. What is the maximum duty I am likely to be charged?
2. What are the chances of me being charged duty?
3. Will my warranty be effected?

Thanks folks,

Jody

kmick

1. Charge is VAT(21%) + customs (I think around 4%)
2. You WILL be caught
3. Yes you will likely have no warranty.

Its a lot of hassle really. It will still work out arginally cheaper though. If you can get them to put the value on the label to $10 you will get away with it but they rarely will.

slickmcvic

or write "GIFT" on the outside of the Box

Tom Dunne

slickmcvic wrote:

or write "GIFT" on the outside of the Box

This one always brings a smile to my face.

You might aswell write "Please Mr. Customs Man don't open this expensive item". Do you really think Customs people are that stupid?

Ruu_Old

slickmcvic wrote:

or write "GIFT" on the outside of the Box

Doesn't work, forget about it. Please don't be suggesting ways to help the OP avoid paying customs.

colmranger

Can i jump in here please if ye don't mind.

I just bought an expensive Lowepro Camera rucksack from a company in the US via Ebay.

I paid total of €215 for both the bag and delivery.

When i collected it at the post office i had to pay An Post €51.83.

There was no explanation what the €51.83 was for but the lady behind counter presumed it was for delivery but i had already paid for delivery?

Anyone know is this the norm (ie. rip off Ireland!)

Vikings

More than likely it was customs + VAT, you should have been told exactly what it was for... if not, why did you pay it?

colmranger

Mustangs wrote:

More than likely it was customs + VAT, you should have been told exactly what it was for... if not, why did you pay it?

Because i was told i had to pay it by An Post in order to receive the item from them plus i was'nt sure i paid fo rdelivery until i returned home and checked my online banking.

mcaul

21% VAT on 215 = 45.15 + customs fee of €5.

It would have been 19.6% in France, 17.5% in UK, 19% in Germany.

Not a ripoff, but the government ways of collecting money to pay for roads, hospitals, social welfare, mercs etc.


Same as in USA - go to the till and 8% - 13% is added to your purchase for sales tax.

mcaul

di11on wrote:

I'm thinking of purchasing some computer peripherals from the US. The cost will be about 220 compared to around 320 to get the stuff from UK (not available in Ireland).

The shipping company used by the site is UPS.

I have a couple of questions:

1. What is the maximum duty I am likely to be charged?
2. What are the chances of me being charged duty?
3. Will my warranty be effected?

Thanks folks,

Jody

Duty rates these days are quite low. And computer parts may even by 0%. VAT will need to be paid, but as you're a business this can be reclaimed in the normal way.

Dman001

Is customs definitly 4%?

mcaul

Dman001 wrote:

Is customs definitly 4%?

There is a general rate of 3.5% for general goods brought in from outside the EU if the value is under €350 or thereabouts. - You may also declare the precise tarriff code for the product as many products can be at 0%.


However there are so many other aspects to duty its probaly easier to pay the general rate unless the shipment is of large value.

Example of rules. Watches. Cheap wathces 30c duty per piece. Expensive watches 80c duty per watch.
Wooden products - plain0% finish 4% office 0% Dining 0%, Bedroom 0% kitchen 2.7% finished & made of particular woods up to 10% etc etc etc.


Here's you reading assignent for the next month!!! http://www.revenue.ie/pdf/00_01_CETI_06.pdf

Dman001

Thanks mcaul.

Dman001

Say if I buy something for 400 USD which is about 297 Euro, do I calculate the customs using the Dollar price or the Euro price?

mcaul

It makes no difference.

10% of $400 is $40 which is about €30
$400 = approx. €300 x 10% = €30


Same answer.

Customs will use the current rate of exchange. The sender will attach the invoice in local currency. Customs will do the math.

Dman001

Thanks mcaul.

idonno-1

I have just bought a diamond wedding ring on ebay for $424 including postage from US. Do you have any idea how much I will have to pay customs, totally forgot about this.

dK1NG

mcaul wrote:

There is a general rate of 3.5% for general goods brought in from outside the EU if the value is under €350 or thereabouts. - You may also declare the precise tarriff code for the product as many products can be at 0%.


However there are so many other aspects to duty its probaly easier to pay the general rate unless the shipment is of large value.

Example of rules. Watches. Cheap wathces 30c duty per piece. Expensive watches 80c duty per watch.
Wooden products - plain0% finish 4% office 0% Dining 0%, Bedroom 0% kitchen 2.7% finished & made of particular woods up to 10% etc etc etc.


Here's you reading assignent for the next month!!! http://www.revenue.ie/pdf/00_01_CETI_06.pdf

So, for eg, if I bought a watch from the States at a cost of €100, but the same watch is selling here at €199, what would hte customs be?

indiewindy

It will be €100 x 21% (VAT) €21
Duty if applicable 3.5% x 100 €3.50
You might also have a small admin fee
So you will still be way better off importing it

spurious

I believe the shipping costs are added in before the percentage is worked out.

Our man in Havana

You are quite correct.

Crucifix

spurious wrote:

I believe the shipping costs are added in before the percentage is worked out.

For the VAT and the customs?

I was going to post my own thread, but I think it'd be appropriate here. Do you still get stung for VAT and customs when ordering something from within the EU?

Our man in Havana

no.