Am I obliged to pay "import charges" on eBay?

shamelessidiot

Want to buy something from the US, but eBay is including $63 import charges... Is that basically customs? And do I have to pay it? Found something cheap... But with import charges it's way more expensive.

Tar.Aldarion

If ebay dont charge you customs probably will, or even the courier bringing it to you. Things in the US often seem cheaper but then are not with charges

rubadub

shamelessidiot wrote: »

but eBay is including $63 import charges..

Can you post a link to the auction, not sure what you mean by this or if its correct.

3wayswitch

rubadub wrote: »

Can you post a link to the auction, not sure what you mean by this or if its correct.

Ebay now appears to have an option to allow sellers to add custom duty charges to their auction. For example: http://www.ebay.ie/itm/Gibson-Les-Paul-Music-City-Junior-B-Bender-Antique-Natural-w-hard-case-jr-/181182152942?pt=Guitar&hash=item2a2f4c40ee

shamelessidiot

rubadub wrote: »

Can you post a link to the auction, not sure what you mean by this or if its correct.

Yup, here: http://www.ebay.ie/itm/BRAND-NEW-SEALED-Amazon-Kindle-Fire-HD-16GB-Wi-Fi-8-9in-Black-Latest-Model-/221257289055?pt=US_Tablets&hash=item3383f64d5f

It was 63 when I posted... Now 62.

Tar.Aldarion

That is correct yes. That is what customs would charge you here anyway

L1011

Pitney Bowes are the handling company for that and they have a fairly close relationship with An Post so I would imagine its effectively just ensuring that the customs fees are paid in advance - as An Post would be responsible for getting them out of you.

If they sent it without that being paid, you would most likely have to pay it on arrival and have the item held/delayed until paid. Some items just aren't noticed from experience, but something of that value and correctly declared should be.

The varying price would be down to exchange rates etc.

Evolution1

I paid custom import charges on eBay .
Does this mean I won't be charged when it arrives at the door ?

Tar.Aldarion

Yes

recipio

Its just a slick way of getting money out of you in advance.
Not everything attracts customs charges - it seems to be a lottery so try and USPS if possible.I use a forwarding agency ( www.shipito.com ) for this and items often slip through.

rubadub

recipio wrote: »

Its just a slick way of getting money out of you in advance.

But I think it is cheaper, since I think you avoid the €6 an post fee, or the couriers ones (up to €15 I think). Though I guess they do have some charge themselves.

Yggr of Asgard

rubadub wrote: »

But I think it is cheaper, since I think you avoid the €6 an post fee, or the couriers ones (up to €15 I think). Though I guess they do have some charge themselves.

62$ are about 46.45€.

If you don't pay that you are most likely going to be hit with €50.12 VAT and 6€ AnPost fee totalling €56.12, so you are nearly 10€ cheaper using eBay's Global Postage Programme . Remember VAT/customs is calculated on both value and shipping cost.

http://www.dutycalculator.com/ is a nice tool to estimate the import cost.

Than again sending it directly (or via a free us mailing address) and playing the lottery of customs might bring it in for free by slipping.

elleelle19

rubadub wrote: »

But I think it is cheaper, since I think you avoid the €6 an post fee, or the couriers ones (up to €15 I think). Though I guess they do have some charge themselves.

I got a delivery from the states VIA UPS and they charged me €17 for the pleasure of collecting my €6.31 in vat. Almost doubled the price of my purchase :mad:

rubadub

elleelle19 wrote: »

I got a delivery from the states VIA UPS and they charged me €17 for the pleasure of collecting my €6.31 in vat.

Nasty, esp. as the limit for VAT collection is €6.

Buy choosing or asking for cheaper postage prices it can bring you under the limit, as the VAT is also charged on postage costs.

so ebay import charges better than turning up at the door ?

vibe666

just got surprised by this buying something from the US. bit presumptuous of ebay to add it on without asking imho.

i'd much rather pay postal roulette and see if i can get something delivered without getting caught.

anyone know if it's just the US or if they're doing it for other countries as well?

A Dub in Glasgo

Surely it is the seller who is adding it, not ebay? Maybe sellers were getting undeserved negative or neutral feedback from buyers who are ignorant of the fact the buyer is liable for customs. Maybe the sellers agitated ebay to put this in place

Fred Swanson

This post has been deleted.