topic Import Duties on purchase from Japan in Community Platform Discussion

Import Duties on purchase from Japan

2daveor — Thu, 14 Aug 2025 17:30:03 GMT

Hi, i've been an ebay member 20+ years and never had this before. I purchased an item on ebay.co.uk not realising it was from Japan, the item was delivered and a day after delivery i receive a text from fedex asking me to pay import duites and fees £54.02, this is on an item costing £189.83 with free delivery. I did not expect this at all and if the seller had said there will be import duties due i would have checked what they might be before buying. What are my realistic options apart from paying, i have the item and the seller does accept returns paid for by the seller. If i return the item via ebay how would i get fedex and HMRC to accept this?

Thanks for any help.

Re: Import Duties on purchase from Japan

**peaseblossom** — Thu, 14 Aug 2025 17:32:50 GMT

See: "If you’re charged too much or return your goods" on here:

https://www.gov.uk/goods-sent-from-abroad/tax-and-duty

Re: Import Duties on purchase from Japan

sml192 — Thu, 14 Aug 2025 19:03:25 GMT

It is your responsibility as a buyer to be aware of any potential import charges. It isn't really down to the seller to make you aware.

Was the item actually listed as being located in Japan?

If you return the item then you will be able to claim a refund of the import duties from HMRC, but not FedEx's fees. Unfortunately, you will need to pay the charges to FedEx first.

Re: Import Duties on purchase from Japan

fargvs — Thu, 14 Aug 2025 19:54:46 GMT

FFI --- Be aware that any purchases from outside the UK are subject to additional UK Import VAT @20% and any other Customs Duty and Shipping charges based on £s limits >

https://www.ebay.co.uk/help/buying/paying-items/paying-tax-ebay-purchases?id=4771&st=2&pos=2&query=P...

Re: Import Duties on purchase from Japan

style_wise — Fri, 15 Aug 2025 21:51:08 GMT

I wish I'd had @**peaseblossom** in my corner the first time this happened to me!

BTW it is the Buyer's job to know the import laws and duties for their country, not the Seller's. Thank goodness - can you imagine!

Re: Import Duties on purchase from Japan

2daveor — Sat, 16 Aug 2025 05:23:12 GMT

Thanks for the info, I know what to do now, thanks.

Re: Import Duties on purchase from Japan

retroed404 — Tue, 17 Feb 2026 17:05:09 GMT

It is hard to believe that eBay do not have a simple way to dispute an error in their calculations. I import antique books from Japan and the VAT rate is currently 5%, and no import taxes.

eBay on the other hand apply 20% VAT, then DHL charge me 20% VAT too plus Import Duty. So on two books costing £200 I am being taxed £100 instead of £10.

Getting a resolution is hard, eBay pass me from pillar to post, so I presume I will end up having to complete form C285 via the Government website. The time it has taken me, eBay and DHL and now HMRC to get a £90 refund must have cost £100s! Hopefully eBay will understand its position and make adjustments easier in future.

Re: Import Duties on purchase from Japan

sml192 — Tue, 17 Feb 2026 18:04:52 GMT

Antique books are zero-rated for VAT so there shouldn't have been any VAT charges. Likewise there shouldn't have been any Import Duty to pay either.

There is an ongoing glitch where listings for some antique books have had VAT incorrectly applied.

As regards the VAT and Duty charged on import, that can only be due to the seller failing to complete the customs declaration correctly.

Ebay does have a process for requesting a VAT refund where they are responsible for the VAT overpayment:

Request a VAT refund

To request a VAT refund on a completed order, please login and upload proof of overpayment.

Ebay are obviously not responsible for the VAT and Duty collected by the carrier so you will have to reclaim that directly from HMRC.