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For all you importers, Customs crackdown

  • 07-10-2013 02:57PM
    #1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,055 ✭✭✭


    There have been a few posts about customs and some unusual activity, this is seemingly a seasonal thing, but customs have a whole force of extra people, presumably those taken on for the household tax who are now stopping everthing form outside the EU and charging for it, even if it's under the import limit.

    Post your sad stories.

    Had to pay €30 to postie this AM for muscle supplement from the USA today, been importing this for five years already, postie said customs have a whole brigade of people opening everything.


«13

Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,956 ✭✭✭Doc Ruby


    Is it drugs related, something to do with the silk road or similar sites maybe? I was thinking about buying in some strike anywhere matches as they aren't sold here, probably won't now.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 230 ✭✭seanp_25


    I've something in customs now (Chinese electronics) since last week according to the tracking on it.

    How is the customs duty calculated? Is it a fixed % of the value of what's being imported?

    How long does it take something to go through customs?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 249 ✭✭imtdub


    This is from Revenue leaflet.

    "8 Gifts

    Customs duty and VAT is not payable on consignments of a value not exceeding €45 sent as gifts by private individuals for the personal or family use of private individuals. The provisions of Para. 2 of O.I. 107/05 are to be observed. Relief from VAT does not apply in the case of tobacco products, alcohol/alcoholic beverages, perfumes or toilet waters and the limits set out at Para. 3 of O.I. 107/05 relating to the relief from Customs duty on those goods are to be observed. Where, after excluding the value of goods which qualified for the relief set out above, the total value of the remainder of the dutiable goods contained in a gift consignment does not exceed €350, Customs duty should be charged on the balance at the standard rate of 3.5% or the relevant tariff rate, whichever is the lower.2

    Goods of negligible value

    Packages, other than those containing tobacco or tobacco products, alcoholic products, perfumes or toilet waters, up to a value of €22 regardless of their status (private or commercial) are admitted free of Customs duty and VAT under the scheme commonly known as “small packages” or “de minimis” relief 3"


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 13,925 ✭✭✭✭anncoates


    Red Nissan wrote: »

    Had to pay €30 to postie this AM for muscle supplement from the USA today, been importing this for five years already, postie said customs have a whole brigade of people opening everything.

    Trouser-muscle supplement, eh?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 21,359 ✭✭✭✭kneemos


    A lot of customs are dying out sadly.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,217 ✭✭✭maximoose


    All my counterfeit and illegal stuff seems to be making it here just fine OP.


  • Site Banned Posts: 824 ✭✭✭Shiraz 4.99


    I have ordered 4 items from China in the past year.
    The three I ordered through China/Singapore/Hong Kong post all got stopped & I got hit with the 23% + €6 handling.
    The 4th item I decided to pay DHL cause I needed it in a hurry, it got stopped also but I only had to pay duty on the fake amount listed on the docket.
    It was a €250 phone so it saved me quite a chunk of change.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 32,386 ✭✭✭✭rubadub


    Red Nissan wrote: »
    stopping everything form outside the EU and charging for it, even if it's under the import limit.
    :confused: if its under the limit they won't charge.

    The limit is said to be €22, but revenue confirmed to me that for items at the current 23% VAT rate the limit is 26.08
    rubadub wrote: »
    I emailed revenue about the €22 limit, in some old threads I was saying the limit is higher than €22 in most cases and they confirmed it. €26.08 at the current 23% VAT rate. The limit was higher when VAT was 21%
    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


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 4,041 ✭✭✭zl1whqvjs75cdy


    How does it cost 6 quid to open a box, take a note of whats inside and sellotape it shut again?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 81,060 ✭✭✭✭biko


    Hmm, I hope my submachinegun and five boxes of ammo makes it here from the states ok.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,706 ✭✭✭premierstone


    How does it cost 6 quid to open a box, take a note of whats inside and sellotape it shut again?

    The €6 handling fee is charged by An Post not Customs.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 32,386 ✭✭✭✭rubadub


    How does it cost 6 quid to open a box, take a note of whats inside and sellotape it shut again?
    Couriers usually charge more, I think the legal limit is €15.

    I can easily see the admin being €6, I'm guessing you ever worked in admin or processed sales orders, there is obviously a lot more to it than what you describe, money collection, postman calling to you etc. There are ways you can pay the duty in advance yourself so avoid this, personally the free time I would spend organizing this would not be worth the €6 saving.


  • Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 95,643 Mod ✭✭✭✭Capt'n Midnight


    rubadub wrote: »
    :confused: if its under the limit they won't charge.

    The limit is said to be €22, but revenue confirmed to me that for items at the current 23% VAT rate the limit is 26.08

    €22 + 23% VAT = €27.07

    Don't forget the €22 also includes the cost of postage and packing if listed.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 3,516 ✭✭✭wazky


    biko wrote: »
    Hmm, I hope my submachinegun and five boxes of ammo makes it here from the states ok.

    Should be fine as long as you don't go shooting a cat with it.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 32,386 ✭✭✭✭rubadub


    €22 + 23% VAT = €26.07
    :confused:

    €22+23%=€27.06

    They officially do not collect if the VAT is below €6, that's where my figure comes from.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,472 ✭✭✭Missyelliot2


    Can you ask the sender to value it at less than the cut-off amount?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 249 ✭✭imtdub


    Can you ask the sender to value it at less than the cut-off amount?

    It's upto you, you can always try that. But folks at customs are not muppets either, they can easily cop-on if something is of higher value.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 37,485 ✭✭✭✭Khannie


    Can you ask the sender to value it at less than the cut-off amount?

    Customs demand proof of price paid (by receipt or the like).


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 249 ✭✭imtdub


    Khannie wrote: »
    Customs demand proof of price paid (by receipt or the like).

    You can get around that easily, by breaking it into two payments or something like that. Far-east suppliers are very accommodating :rolleyes:.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 6,818 ✭✭✭Gauge


    Stung for €14 this morning, postie had a bit of an attitude about it too, guess they're expecting abuse because he immediately pointed to the receipt and told me to direct any complaints to the number.

    The VAT isn't the end of the world but the €6 'An Post' fee was what really annoyed me, made up almost half the total charge.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 718 ✭✭✭stmol32


    I have ordered 4 items from China in the past year.

    Pandas?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 906 ✭✭✭Eight Ball


    Just another part of living in the rip off republic. Thankfully is you know what you are doing there are as always ways around paying.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 953 ✭✭✭donegal__road


    use Parcel Motel.

    Shop online anywhere in the world, and collect at your nearest Parcel Motel for a small fee.


  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 121 ✭✭Mark Twain


    The market is definetly there for a new generation of hard-living smugglers who will land their goods by sea. Like the type The Famous Five and The Adventerous Four would bring down in Enid Blyton books. Only the modern day smugglers will have guns, and will shoot Timmy and Julian in the head.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 23,340 ✭✭✭✭dxhound2005


    Something else to be aware of. The postage paid is added to the value of the goods. Then any duty is calculated on that total. And then VAT is calculated on the overall total, goods plus postage plus duty. And then An Post add €6. Well worth seeking out alternatives at home or at least inside the EU before sending off to China for an apparent bargain.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 99 ✭✭BabyGorilla


    Something else to be aware of. The postage paid is added to the value of the goods. Then any duty is calculated on that total. And then VAT is calculated on the overall total, goods plus postage plus duty. And then An Post add €6.

    WHAT ! the miserable bastards.

    (probably doing more harm than good for work related equipment)


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 3,065 ✭✭✭crazygeryy


    Gauge wrote: »
    Stung for €14 this morning, postie had a bit of an attitude about it too, guess they're expecting abuse because he immediately pointed to the receipt and told me to direct any complaints to the number.

    The VAT isn't the end of the world but the €6 'An Post' fee was what really annoyed me, made up almost half the total charge.


    Maybe he had an attitude because you were pissed off having to pay it?it's not posties fault he just delivers the stuff he doesn't make the rules.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,425 ✭✭✭MonstaMash


    use Parcel Motel.

    Shop online anywhere in the world, and collect at your nearest Parcel Motel for a small fee.
    Just a heads up as I had an issue with this...

    What happens if there is VAT and/or Duty due on my item?
    Please ensure that any charges payable are paid in advance of delivery. Parcel Motel will not accept responsibility for payment of any VAT or Duty charges due on items delivered. If the postal operator or courier asks for cash on delivery, your item will be refused by us. :eek:

    http://www.parcelmotel.com/faqs.html


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 689 ✭✭✭Mr Whirly


    Good news for retailers.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,014 ✭✭✭eamonnq


    use Parcel Motel.

    Shop online anywhere in the world, and collect at your nearest Parcel Motel for a small fee.

    Bear in mind that if UK customs put a charge on your parcel bound for Parcel Motel, that Parcel Motel will not pay any charges and your item will be refused.


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