Question Re: Unknown import charges in Buying on eBay DND

Unknown import charges

bateau_boat — Mon, 08 Feb 2021 14:33:49 GMT

I am in EU and trying to buy from UK seller. If I win the item I know what I am paying for it and the shipping cost is also known up front. But I have no idea what I will be asked to pay for import charges. I assume I will be told at the end. Can I withdraw my purchase bid if I feel the import charge is too high? If I can't refuse the transaction it seems I am asked to agree to pay an unknown amount. This will in some cases kill ebay for me and many other people.

Re: Unknown import charges

red_magpie — Mon, 08 Feb 2021 14:41:32 GMT

I assume I will be told at the end.

It's your own responsibility to check what import duties and taxes will be payable in your own country.

It isn't the seller's responsibility, or eBay's, and is not grounds to cancel a purchase.

In the UK, import duty can be checked on the HMRC web site. I presume there is a similar authority in France.

Re: Unknown import charges

plpmr — Mon, 08 Feb 2021 14:41:22 GMT

these are the UK boards and you are in France, best log into your designated site to learn/ask about French impost charges - https://www.ebay.fr/

Re: Unknown import charges

bateau_boat — Mon, 08 Feb 2021 14:58:19 GMT

Sorry, but I don't speak French. Thankfully I have found the UK chatline and got the answers I needed.
The bottom line is that if an import charge is considered too high after I have committed to bid/buy I have the option to withdraw the bid and the item can then be offered to the next highest bidder. Nobody loses.

Re: Unknown import charges

papso22 — Mon, 08 Feb 2021 17:09:54 GMT

The seller loses a sale they thought they had and any listing fees that applied. I am also not aware that import fees being too high is one of ebay's valid reasons for a bid retraction. If you have bought but not paid, the seller can open an unpaid item case against you. Two of those in 12 months will severely limit your buying options.

There will be losers, ebay CS have got that wrong.