Buying from China / AliExpress - amounts to avoid customs charges?

gok

Hi,

I've googled this but still unclear. (The revenue site and the EU one)

My Question: whats the max amount I can order from AliExpress (China) before extra charges such as Customs import duties and An Post handling charges kick in?

I wanted to order some electronic parts, a 10 pack, that cost around €34 (including €5 P&P & including VAT).

What are the upper limits? - if I thought there was a band that I was approaching I'd order a smaller pack and pay the €5 P&P

Thx!

banie01

Buying from outside the EU has a 0 limit since July for customs, duties and admin charges.

AliExpress does offer many sellers that include the VAT in the final price on site and deliver with no additional charges. Most of the main Asian players have now adopted processes that include the VAT in their check out process.

ohnonotgmail

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118512706#Comment_118512706

I think all sellers do when sending to the EU. Or more correctly AX add it for them.

gok

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118512706#Comment_118512706

So you're suggesting everything from AliExpress is subject to charges?

- I have bought recently from sellers that manage the VAT. One item was €5.50 and another separate one was €12.50 but I wasn't subject to charges which was why I was asking the question. Perhaps I got lucky and they decided these smaller amounts weren't worth chasing?

hadepsx

It's pot luck it seems. I've ordered lots from AliExpress, some items arrived no bother- they were the least expensive cost wise, other items I got hit with a small customs fee - these were more expensive in cost,while other items didn't even turn up.

zg3409

Yes everything has charges. Beware an post charge typically 4.5 euro for handling customs in addition to actual fees, so the relative cost of additional fees are high. Similar from UK suppliers. Beware some "Irish" websites are UK, or German or polish, so if item is dispatched from UK, it will get stopped for extra fees and delivery delays

ohnonotgmail

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118512740#Comment_118512740

the charges are included in the price on the item assuming you have your country set correctly and are logged in.

banie01

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118512733#Comment_118512733

There are still a few that don't, rare but there are some.

Where AliExpress manage the logistics for the seller it is included at checkout if as you pointed out in another post, the buyer has there country set correctly.

banie01

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118512740#Comment_118512740

Yes, everything has charges.

As you mentioned, you bought via sellers that managed the VAT, hence no additional charge.

The vast majority of ALi sellers, use Ali checkout and logistics so your price paid is the "all-inclusive" price. Goods are landed with correct declaration and no further charge due.

ohnonotgmail

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118512873#Comment_118512873

Just to add I haven't had a single issue with an aliexpress order since the change in the rules last year. Everything has come through and no extra charges requested by an post.

mondeoman72

Maybe connected, but wish.com, are sorting the irish vat at source, it then lands into luxemborg, then to Ireland. It seems well organised and has worked on my last two orders - the most recent was today, but strangely enough, the one today arrived fastway, where normally they appear An Post.

Both deliveries appeared before the scheduled delivery date.