Customs

kearnst2

Hey guys,

Jus a quick question for ye that hopefully you can help with.

Does anyone know how long it takes for an item to clear customs in Ireland? I have an item coming form the states and when I check the tracker it says its in customs clearance since Monday. Is this normal? Its a Microsoft Surface.

ABajaninCork

It's about a week to clear sometimes. But websites don't always track the status accurately. Don't forget you'll have to pay the duty and VAT on the item before the parcel can be released to you.

aN.Droid

ABajaninCork wrote: »

It's about a week to clear sometimes. But websites don't always track the status accurately. Don't forget you'll have to pay the duty and VAT on the item before the parcel can be released to you.

And also an administration charge up to 15 euro

dudara

Moved to Online Buying & Auctions

homer911

I bought something recently through ebay coming from China. Total cost was €26.43 (generic 12V LED Lightbulbs). Package has been routed to customs - surely there wont be duty to pay on something of this value?

ABajaninCork

Of course VAT and duty will be levied! Why did you think it wouldn't be?

goldenhoarde

Anything over 22 euro is liable Oh and the 22 euro will include shipping so if the item is 21 euro and shipping 2 euro then its liable as the total is 23

In the case above 26.43 is liable so 6 euro admin fee + 23% so i'd say between 10 and 12 euro will be due (they tend to round it to make it hander for the courier/postie)

On the surface they're probably playing away with it. They have to figure out the correct value first as they can query the price the shipper has placed on it!!!

nava

kearnst2 wrote: »

Hey guys,

Jus a quick question for ye that hopefully you can help with.

Does anyone know how long it takes for an item to clear customs in Ireland? I have an item coming form the states and when I check the tracker it says its in customs clearance since Monday. Is this normal? Its a Microsoft Surface.

Some cases you can send them a mail dmc@revenue.ie if it's in the Dublin Mail Center to let them know you are aware item is due some charges to let you know how much and release the parcel, I did that on a parcel and was released on the same day for next day delivery.

rubadub

goldenhoarde wrote: »

Anything over 22 euro is liable Oh and the 22 euro will include shipping so if the item is 21 euro and shipping 2 euro then its liable as the total is 23

In the case above 26.43 is liable so 6 euro admin fee + 23% so i'd say between 10 and 12 euro will be due (they tend to round it to make it hander for the courier/postie)

The limit is said to be €22, but there is also a limit on how much they collect, and with the current usual VAT of 23% the actual cutoff is €26.08. So he is still over, but just barely.

email to revenue...

Hi,
I was reading on revenue.ie that the limit is €22 until something is applicable for VAT when importing from online shops

http://www.revenue.ie/en/customs/leaflets/pn1179.html

Consignments not exceeding a total customs value of €22 may be imported without payment of VAT.

However it goes on to say

Where the customs duty on a consignment of goods amounts to less than €10 it will not be collected. Similarly, VAT liability amounting to less than or equal to €6 will not be collected.

So on typical imported items like a DVD the VAT is 23%, so if the DVD is €25 it is above the €22 threshold limit, but the VAT would only be €5.75 so is below the €6 limit. Am I right in thinking that this in effect means the real threshold value for non-excise items at 23% is €26.08 -since only items above this value will have VAT equal or above €6.

Thanks

Dear ***,
Your calculations in the example you quoted are correct but do remember that, if the freight costs or the VAT rates increase, the €22 threshold will produce a different result. This threshold is set in European Law, while the €6 de minimus limit is just a local practice based on administrative expedience.

Regards,


****
Customs Division

homer911

I imagine they will calculate duty before calculating VAT on the duty inclusive value, so I'll end up owing a few quid - will have to put it down to experience, or lack thereof, thanks

I wasn't aware the threshold was so low.

Funnily enough I got an email from ebay warning that my puchase had been delisted and not to complete the sale, but based on a tracking number I have, its now sitting in customs in Dublin..

homer911

Taking your advice I emailed the revenue, quoting tracking number, name and address and amount paid

They replied saying that they had written to me requesting a copy of the PayPal receipt. I was about to forward it on when what seemed like a very nice lady emailed me again to say to ignore the request, that it would be released to An Post without charges

Seems like I got away with it by the skin of my teeth. Lesson learned: Watch the purchase price, as I thought the threshold was higher, (gifts can be up to €45 in value) and be honest with the Revenue..

orke

Today I got the letter with this note:

Notice is hereby given that certain goods, to wit:
2- RAYBAN SUNGLASSES
were seized by me pursuant to Section 202 of the customs Consolidation Act, 1876
on 19th Apr 2013 at DUBLIN MAIL CENTRE
the said goods being liable to forfeiture under Section 177 of the Customs Consolidation Act.

Important Note:

These Goods have been seized because they were found to be counterfeit. - see IBuyReal.org
The goods cannot be released to you.

---

I ordered two pair of sunglasses from a official shop in China. The sunglasses was seized by customs because they claim they are counterfeit.
How can they prove the sunglasses are fake when I bought them in an official sunglasses supplier.
What should I do?

Thanks in advance.

ABajaninCork

I'd suggest replying to Revenue asking them how they arrived at this conclusion. Get hold of the seller, and ask them to send you proof they are an accredited RayBan stockist.

I'd also have a word with these guys too.

rubadub

orke wrote: »

I ordered two pair of sunglasses from a official shop in China. .

How do you know its official. 99% of shops selling fake stuff will of course claim to be official/registered agents.

Have you a link to the site?

This appears to be the offical one, http://china.ray-ban.com/

homer911

If they can set up fake bricks and mortar shops and convince the staff they are working in a genuine shop, they can set up fake websites..

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-14503724

orke

rubadub wrote: »

How do you know its official. 99% of shops selling fake stuff will of course claim to be official/registered agents.

Have you a link to the site?

This appears to be the offical one, http://china.ray-ban.com/

I bought my sunglasses from this shop: http://www.cheapglasseswholesale.com/Rayban-Sunglasses-AA-MD_4.html
I am not fully sure that the sunglasses are original or fake and i'll try to contact the supplier.
Even if the sunglasses are fake, do customs have the right to seize them, if they are sold officially online?
I have bought the sunglasses for personal use, not for resale and how did the customs find that the sunglasses may be fake within two days?

Thanks

aN.Droid

orke wrote: »

I bought my sunglasses from this shop: http://www.cheapglasseswholesale.com/Rayban-Sunglasses-AA-MD_4.html
I am not fully sure that the sunglasses are original or fake and i'll try to contact the supplier.
Even if the sunglasses are fake, do customs have the right to seize them, if they are sold officially online?
I have bought the sunglasses for personal use, not for resale and how did the customs find that the sunglasses may be fake within two days?

Thanks

Domain registered dec 11 2012 yet this is found at the bottom "Copyright © 2006-2012 Cheap Sunglasses Wholesale Trade Ltd. All Rights Reserved."

They are most certainly fakes. If you paid via paypal or credit card then try get your money back via the resolution center in paypal or at your bank via chargeback.

Customs are 100% in the right to confiscate knock off's as they are not legal to have.

orke

Limericks wrote: »

They are most certainly fakes.

If customs think the sunglasses are " Most certainly fake " that doesn't mean they are 100% fake. Every decision made by the customs needs to be proved by examination.
How should I get my money back from the seller on my credit card, if the goods where bought 30-40 days ago.
By this action the buyer will be punished by the customs, but not the seller.
:mad:

aN.Droid

orke wrote: »

If customs think the sunglasses are " Most certainly fake " that doesn't mean they are 100% fake. Every decision made by the customs needs to be proved by examination.
How should I get my money back from the seller on my credit card, if the goods where bought 30-40 days ago.
By this action the buyer will be punished by the customs, but not the seller.
:mad:

Items are inspected before being deemed fake. They are usually sent to a third party rep of the company who make the real deal or at least that was the case of a phone I had bought a few years back.

Go to your bank and tell them you want to issue a chargeback on the transaction.

The law is the law and it is illegal to import counterfeit goods in Ireland whether you knowingly do so or not.

ABajaninCork

Request a chargeback on your credit card. Do it now.

rubadub

Limericks wrote: »

They are usually sent to a third party rep of the company.

I doubt they need to send off everything they get. I imagine suppliers can send out checklists of how to spot them. Like this
http://spotfakehandbags.com/how-to-spot-knock-off-ray-ban-sunglasses.html

I am 100% sure they are fake. Without even clicking on the site the name of it should have alarm bells ringing. Then you go on it and loads of the ray bans are $11-13, far too cheap.