Customs - importing contact lenses

Kotek Besar

First off, apologies if this is in the wrong section. If so, mods please feel free to move.

I bought some contact lenses online (6 packs), from a company in New Zealand (can't get the type I use here in Ireland). I was billed in US$, and the value of the goods is US$185.94 which is €134.

It was shipped via DHL. Mother-in-law signed for it while I was at work, and she said they took €31.38 off her in customs charge.

I'm just trying to get my head round it. I've been on to this website:
http://www.revenue.ie/en/customs/businesses/importing/tariff.html
Which says:

For classification of goods, commodity code numbers, rates of duties for any given date see Schedule of Customs Duties . This is a direct link to TARIC, which is a database managed by the European Commission in Brussels and used by all Member States. TARIC is updated daily and has a simulation date facility, which allows the user to search for a rate of duty on any given date. TARIC provides for classification of all goods by means of the description (typing in the description of the goods) or the browse (which provides for viewing all sections/chapters etc.) facilities.

So I go onto that website, and find that contact lenses are Tariff Code 9001300000. I put that into the tool and select New Zealand as country of origin. The result is - Third country duty : 2.90 %

2.9% of €134 is €3.89. So, doesn't that mean I owe €3.89 to customs, not €31.38?

Or have I got all that completely wrong?

Please help!

Slunk

Im not sure about DHL but I know UPS charge approx €16 for "other charges". Its like an admin fee for paying customs for you.That may add in some way to the amount you paid

Kotek Besar

Thanks. I've just wondered:- VAT @ 21.5% of €134 is €28.81. I bet you that's the bulk of it.

If only they'd left a receipt..

E.T.

I've had to pay tax on anything I've bought online from outside the EU this year -cosmetics and shoes usually. As far as I know it's VAT or some form of tax that we're actually paying, I think customs duty is only charged on purchases a certain amount (at least €100 and I think it's actually a good bit more). Sorry I'm so vague on this but if you google or use the search function here you'll see loads of other posts about the same topic. Postage costs are included in the amount to be taxed which I think is a total rip-off. DHL and other companies, including An Post also charge you a fee for paying on your behalf. Isn't it nice of them?

Kotek Besar

E.T. wrote: »

Postage costs are included in the amount to be taxed which I think is a total rip-off.

Ah - I think you might have it there!

Cost inc. postage is US$195.89 = €141. 21.5% of 141 is €30.32.

Maybe that's what it is:- €30.32 of the €31.38 DHL charged me is VAT. So what's the €1.06 balance? DHL's handling fee? If so, I can of course live with it. It would be nice to know though, rather than have them leave me guessing like this.

Slunk

Id wouldnt say that €1.06 is anything different. Prob just a different exchange rate at the time they processed it. DHL may not cxharge a handling fee, I just know UPS do

Kotek Besar

Slunk wrote: »

Id wouldnt say that €1.06 is anything different. Prob just a different exchange rate at the time they processed it. DHL may not cxharge a handling fee, I just know UPS do

You're probably right actually, thinking about it. Ah well, question answered then I guess. I'll give them a ring tomorrow and ask for a receipt though.

Thanks everyone!

dudara

Moved to Online Buying & Auctions

dudara

jor el

It's also rare that you even see duty applied, they normally just go straight for the VAT, as they don't need to look up the correct amount, and generally duty is in the order of 2-3%, which makes it not worth bothering with. VAT at 21.5% and handling fee of up to €15 is far easier to work out and apply.