How long to clear Irish Customs?

Stinicker

I ordered an item online 2.5 weeks ago and it was shipped out the sameday. It originates in China but it appears the website have a warehouse in the Netherlands and my package was first sent from China as part of a bulk delivery I assume into the Netherlands and then forwarded to me in Ireland via PostNL.

The Parcel was put into the Dutch PostNL system on Thursday and arrived in Dublin this morning where it got sent to Irish Customs.

I wonder if I'm even liable for Customs considering the package came into Ireland from the Netherlands, being part of the EU I'd expect there to be no customs VAT payable? Or would it be sent to Customs just checking for illegal drugs etc? Anything from the Netherlands would be suspect for Drugs I guess.

I don't mind paying the VAT if I have to, the value is €17.00 so I'm not sure if I'd even be liable for VAT due to the low declared value.

I guess my biggest question is how long I'd be waiting before this clears customs and goes onto An Post for Delivery.

nava

Stinicker wrote: »

I ordered an item online 2.5 weeks ago and it was shipped out the sameday. It originates in China but it appears the website have a warehouse in the Netherlands and my package was first sent from China as part of a bulk delivery I assume into the Netherlands and then forwarded to me in Ireland via PostNL.

The Parcel was put into the Dutch PostNL system on Thursday and arrived in Dublin this morning where it got sent to Irish Customs.

I wonder if I'm even liable for Customs considering the package came into Ireland from the Netherlands, being part of the EU I'd expect there to be no customs VAT payable? Or would it be sent to Customs just checking for illegal drugs etc? Anything from the Netherlands would be suspect for Drugs I guess.

I don't mind paying the VAT if I have to, the value is €17.00 so I'm not sure if I'd even be liable for VAT due to the low declared value.

I guess my biggest question is how long I'd be waiting before this clears customs and goes onto An Post for Delivery.

The time in customs will depend on how busy they are but I would say a couple of days if they are not busy, also some delays if they need to get further information from you, like invoice, paypal payment, etc. If it takes longer than that you can call them to check what the issue is.


If coming from the EU there wouldn't be any customs charges, if coming from outside the EU the custom charge is calculated on the Item price + shipping cost.

stronglikebull

If the total value is €17 then there'll be nothing due, as anything under €22 is exempt. It could be a precautionary inspection, and you'd expect to wait a few days at most before it's released.

If the package contains something that would be banned, such as a GPS tracker, RF transmitter or anything to do with mobile communication transmissions, then it will be seized and you won't get it.

Stinicker

I paid over $50 but they marked it down as €17.00 which seems to be the sellers attempt to avoid customs for me. But when it was sent from the Netherlands I am wondering what is the situation; surely it should be the Dutch Authorities job to enforce customs on the product when it came into the EU from China in the firstplace.

Would an EU originated Parcel have gone into Customs still?

ohnonotgmail

Stinicker wrote: »

I paid over $50 but they marked it down as €17.00 which seems to be the sellers attempt to avoid customs for me. But when it was sent from the Netherlands I am wondering what is the situation; surely it should be the Dutch Authorities job to enforce customs on the product when it came into the EU from China in the firstplace.

Would an EU originated Parcel have gone into Customs still?

the parcel didnt originate in the EU. It originated in china. If they open the package and decide that it worth more than the €17 that was declared they will be on to you for an invoice that shows €17. If they are not satisfied with what you produce they will make up their own price and charge you accordingly.

ED E

Yeah, biggest source of delays is when they suspect an under/mis declaration and have to asses it then send you a letter via snail mail. In my experience it either goes in one door and out the other or gets stopped and is a good bit slower.

If this happened to be an RIF(Airsoft) then they sometimes get sent for inspection by the technical bureau in Phoenix Park.

Stinicker

Got a letter today from Customs so sent back the Invoice for the item by email; Hopefully it will arrive by Friday. I'll update the thread, expecting to get stung for under €20.

ohnonotgmail

was the invoice for €17 or the parcels true value?

Stinicker

Invoice was for $54.99 and the seller had it declared at €17.00 on the customs sticker. I just sent them the invoice and copy of the paypal invoice, it has been stuck in customs since the weekend and I'd rather just pay the VAT and get it over and done with; there is no winning with Customs and you either pay them or bye bye parcel I think.

I am still annoyed since it was posted in the Netherlands and I thought I'd avoid VAT because of it being within the EU and it should have been upto the Dutch to stop the parcel and charge VAT before it made it to Ireland.

ohnonotgmail

Stinicker wrote: »

Invoice was for $54.99 and the seller had it declared at €17.00 on the customs sticker. I just sent them the invoice and copy of the paypal invoice, it has been stuck in customs since the weekend and I'd rather just pay the VAT and get it over and done with; there is no winning with Customs and you either pay them or bye bye parcel I think.

I am still annoyed since it was posted in the Netherlands and I thought I'd avoid VAT because of it being within the EU and it should have been upto the Dutch to stop the parcel and charge VAT before it made it to Ireland.

thats not correct. the final destination was ireland so that is where the taxes are due. it was simply transiting through the netherlands.

Stinicker

Got an email back from Revenue stating that I owe €19.22 to my postman on Friday. At least I will have it to test out over the weekend.

Justice for the individual

Stinicker wrote: »

Got an email back from Revenue stating that I owe €19.22 to my postman on Friday. At least I will have it to test out over the weekend.

Honesty is the best policy - always show the correct invoice price and proper description of the goods and you will get no issues with the customs.
The value for customs is calculated on the Cost, Insurance, freight (CIF) value.
Sometimes, the customs will call goods for exam, and this is their right.

whiterebel

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