Sent to Customs

Beez

Im sorry i know there has been plenty of threads about this this but im just wondering if im going to be charged on a package that was purchased for €48? Is there a minimum value before VAT is charged?

Patrick 1

Hmm, I think its like 21 percent VAT, so that of 48 euro would be 10.80, I think.

Inari

Anything under €22 is supposed to be VAT free, but not always the case. Also, depending on who it's shipped with, you may have to pay on top of the vatting charges. Easiest thing to do is to set aside 25% of the total cost for when it's delivered. That way if they ask for vat, you have it there. If they don't, it's money in your pocket.

Dread-Lock

And that €22 includes shipping.

Beez

Between getting no customer service for a faulty product from EhobbyAsia and stupid fcking customs holding stuff i think ill just stick to Irish retailers and pay the bit extra from now on.. :mad:

Inari

I've never had any problems from ordering abroad, but I still prefer the Irish Retailers. Although on some things it's just easier for everyone to order from overseas...things like when you're looking for parts etc.

Most of the Irish Retailers are really good for quoting prices before any purchase is made, so you can check to see the difference, and decide whether or not it's worth it for yourself.

How do you know Customs is holding your gear?

Dread-Lock

Customs will usually only hold items if its an AEG (e.g. sent for testing) or if they they think the items have been mark down. In which case they'll be sending you a letter asking you to sent them the invoice. They also have a hard on of scopes, so they'll stop any package with one in it. Don't worry you'll get your stuff...eventually.

Beez

Inari wrote: »

How do you know Customs is holding your gear?

Current Status
ITEM SENT TO CUSTOMS DUBLIN MAIL CENTRE DUBLIN 12 11-May-10

Its only a battery and 3 cheap masks forth €48. Would they still be back logged from the ash cloud maybe?

Bemused

I just had a courier contact me this morning to let me know that a hop-up unit from RedWolf is being held by customs. When I asked why he told me that everything from China is being examined this weather.

Captain Chaos

Bemused wrote: »

I just had a courier contact me this morning to let me know that a hop-up unit from RedWolf is being held by customs. When I asked why he told me that everything from China is being examined this weather.

It's because the country is in the crapper and they have to try and get as much money out of people as possible, sure we have to find €4bn in 4 weeks or we are knackered.

I got a call last Friday from TNT saying they will get my package through customs for me. They told me how much it would cost and to have the cash ready to pay the driver later that day as usual, it still took customs 3 working days to release it, it got from HK to here quicker. And the package was not opened in any way like they usually are. I think they are on a go slow.

Beez

I really dont have any luck when purchasing batterys. My 1500 mah that fits my G&P only lasts about 30 min

Beez

Got a letter asking for my paypal receipt. I would of thought the invoice would be in the parcel or did they not beleive the amount paid or something? :rolleyes:

SparkyDNut

The reason that they look for the paypal reciept, is that it shows how much you actually paid, not how much the reciept or label on the box shows...:D

For yourself the kick in the teeth, with be AnPost charge of 6 euro they slap on to for Admin charges... will be nearly the same as the charge from the customs..

In alot of cases it's down to luck.. though I've found ehobby and DHL alway get stopped/charged, regular HKPost has been the best for me...

At least you know your package is nearly with you... :cool:

r-i-tect

Beez wrote: »

Got a letter asking for my paypal receipt. I would of thought the invoice would be in the parcel or did they not beleive the amount paid or something? :rolleyes:

How did they know you used paypal?

I got a similar request and the guy that shipped my package said that he didn't put an invoice with the package?? Very strange

Chuck the Buck

An Post always ask for 'the paypal receipt' because most items coming in are from ebay, or paid for via paypal. If it wasn't they'll happily accept whatever receipt you got.

In my experience the couriers (TNT an UPS in my case) charge me vat on everything (along with their handling fee) except once, but thats another story...

An Post don't always charge me. It seems more common with 'normal' airmail than with EMS. When I do get charged I usually get a letter asking for my receipt but on a rare occasion the postman turns up at the door asking for a wedge of cash with no prior notice!

And as has been said before they want the actual receipt not the $10 value marked on the customs receipt on the H-U-G-E parcel (An Post are long since wise to those games!).

Drachnien

just so people are aware in cases where the package contains multiple items (such as the OP's) each one is valued seperately meaning that if each item (plus the cost ofshipping divided eaqually between them) is less than 22Euro then you are not liable for VAT.
Import dutys are another mystical matter and seem totally dependant on the customs agents mood.

Tigger

its not vat its excise duty

Chuck the Buck

Yup packages are vat free if the value (including postage) is below €22, although an post has never charged me on anything below €30.
Duty isn't charged on anything below €120 something if I remember correctly, the rate of duty is dependent on what the clerk believes the items in the packet to be (I hear darts and a dart board are used).

As for excise duty you importing petrol, vodka and cigars Tigger?

captain wow

I just received a new gearbox from khmountain in hong kong today. It was €40 but I got away with no customs charges, lucky me. Last time I ordered stuff from abroad I got nailed for €48.50!! That was over a friggin third of the value of what I bought.

Drachnien

the simple version of the maths to know what you'll be paying in total is:
Item value +
Shipping = cost

Vat = 21% of cost

Total =
cost +vat+€6 An Post handling fee

This can go up if they decide the item is subject to import duty. I'm still trying to work out how this works but so far I've never been hit on it. it's based on what category the item is deemed to be in and it's a European thing not an Irish one. heres a list of the codes if your really that interested but as i said it'snot been an issue for me personally yet.

http://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/dds2/taric/taric_consultation.jsp?Lang=en&Screen=0&Expand=true&SimDate=20100804

And It is VAT your paying not excise duty. that's a tax completely unrelated to importing items.