Custom charges on US parcels?

Beakflakes

Hi there.

In the last 3 weeks I paid for a 49 key keyboard and a similar sized midi controller from the USA from two separate private sellers at auction on ebay.

The packages were delayed arriving and when finally the first did I was amazed when the postman asked that i pay a 60euro 'customs charge'. He said if I didn't pay it on the spot he'd take it to a depot out of town. I have no transport so reluctantly paid the 60euro because he guaranteed that I could get the vast majority of my money back by claiming VAT or something? I was baffled to say the least but was way too tired to figure it out there and then.

The second package arrived today, a smaller lighter package with a 63euro charge from the same postman! However. Today he tells me that I can only claim this money back if I am 'self employed'????

I really only paid the customs fee twice thinking it to be a mistake and that I'd surely be refunded later. I paid both sellers enough to cover postage to Ireland...

Could anybody shed some light on where I stand on this?

Any help would be much appreciated!

darrenw5094

If you buy from outside the EU and the item is posted from outside the EU, you have to pay customs tax of 21% plus small amount of excise tax, maybe 3% and the post office charges €5 or so.

The tax is calculated on the whole amount you pay for the item, including the shipping fees. There is zero you can do really, if you don't pay, you don't receive your package.

snubbleste

Have a read of post #1 http://boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055862554

dudara

Moved to Online Buying & Auctions

dudara

jor el

Import duty and VAT thread.

You cannot claim VAT back. Only a VAT registered business can do this, and only on legitimate business costs.

The charges you have paid are the cost of importing from outside the EU, and have nothing to do with what you paid to the seller for postage.

darrenw5094

Maybe the shipping is not taken into account. I thought it used to be when i bought some guitars from abroad. Still have to pay 21% VAT on the item though.

jor el

VAT is also applied to the shipping cost.

darrenw5094

jor el wrote: »

VAT is also applied to the shipping cost.

That is what i originally said in post #2. But, i thought you diregarded the shipping fees as taxable. So it's 21% VAT on the total cost of item and the international shipping.

jor el

darrenw5094 wrote: »

That is what i originally said in post #2. But, i thought you diregarded the shipping fees as taxable.

I disregarded the fact that the OP said he paid enough for shipping to Ireland, and was confused as to why An Post were charging more:
I paid both sellers enough to cover postage to Ireland...

darrenw5094

Yeh, unfortunately the OP is not sure of the Customs Tax system on imports into Ireland as it is his first experience. We all get stung by the VAT in the beginning, then we all get a bit wiser.

mneylon

He could be overcharged

I've had this happen to me several times in the past where they basically invented a charge, as they didn't know how much I paid for the item. Once I provided evidence of what I had paid I got a revised bill..