topic Re: Unexpected duty in Member To Member Support

Unexpected duty

libby-munster — Tue, 03 Feb 2026 20:39:42 GMT

Hi, I bought some shock absorbers for my van, turns out unbeknown to me they are coming from Germany and I’m in the uk, I have just been sent a bill from ups for duty which I didn’t expect, checked the listing and there is no mention of duty or extra fees that I may have missed but nothing!

shocks £62, duty fees £28, if it was a couple of pounds I wouldn’t mind but this is a bit excessive, I have messaged the seller but no answer, so how do I return them when they haven’t been delivered and I haven’t paid the duty as I won’t get that back either?

Re: Unexpected duty

papso22 — Tue, 03 Feb 2026 20:47:33 GMT

Are you saying the listing didn't have Germany as the location of the item?

If you don't pay the import VAT and courier fees you won't get the item and you won't be covered by the money back guarantee.

The return would be a change of mind one and the seller might not accept those. They can also be hard to do for overseas purchases.

I think you need to pay and chalk this one up to experience.

Re: Unexpected duty

libby-munster — Tue, 03 Feb 2026 21:04:31 GMT

Surely the seller has an obligation to make the buyer aware of any duties before hand so they can make an informed decision, this feels like I have been deceived!

Re: Unexpected duty

tobiasd4 — Tue, 03 Feb 2026 21:34:30 GMT

Sellers won't know where buyers are based.

If buying from non UK seller, in postage section there is an ebay warning that additional fees are apply.

Re: Unexpected duty

red_magpie — Tue, 03 Feb 2026 22:32:39 GMT

It's hard to comment without even being able to see the item number or listing involved.

The only recent feedback you have received from a seller who sell shock absorbers is a UK registered business seller in Doncaster. Their listings are unclear to me about where items are located, but the Postage, returns and payments section of those I have looked at state: "Taxes - Price displayed includes VAT".

If this is your seller, I suggest that you check what is stated in the corresponding section of your listing. If it states that the price displayed includes VAT you should not be required to pay "import VAT" on top of the price paid. In this case you should probably contact eBay customer support.

But this is still only guesswork unless you wish to let us know the item number.

Re: Unexpected duty

libby-munster — Tue, 03 Feb 2026 23:46:53 GMT

Hi, thanks for the response, the invoice stated it includes vat!

Re: Unexpected duty

plpmr — Wed, 04 Feb 2026 09:36:00 GMT

according to the item number in the image you posted the item is located in Germany and the listing details stats - “Price displayed includes VAT. The final charge may be different depending on the delivery address.”

Re: Unexpected duty

red_magpie — Wed, 04 Feb 2026 10:33:32 GMT

As plpmr has said, the listing states “Price displayed includes VAT. The final charge may be different depending on the delivery address.”

I take that to mean the VAT on the purchse is included in the price, altjhough the delivery charge may vary according to the buyer's address. So the item price charged should be £63.39 (or £62.19 as calculated slightly differently in the invoice.

Are you saying that additional "import VAT" is being charged on this? If so, that would be wrong - or at least, the original listed price would be wrong). Does the "learn more" link in the invoice add any further info?

It may be that the seller has made a mistake here as they can't charge VAT twice on the same item.