How are import charges calculated?

[icollectthings]

Hi, I am wanting to buy something from the US and the value is $325, with $86 shipping and $115 import charges.

The thing I don't like is, until I actually pay for the item, import charges can change.

The thing is, the person has best offer activted on the listing, so if I were to say, offer $250 and had it accepted, would the import charges lower, or could they still even go up.

I think it's a bit of a bad system were I cant know the final fee until I actually commit to buying the item.

Thanks

[**peaseblossom**]

Try this caclulator:

https://www.simplyduty.com/import-calculator/

[icollectthings]

Thanks.
With eBay's GSP way of selling, they make up their own numbers and 'add' a bit on top, so although I've got an idea what it should be, it wont be what ebay say it is

[tobiasd4]

With GSP you also pay Pitney Bowes for international postage & their fee.
If seller is not part of scheme, when item arrives in UK, local carrier will send invoice for import fees & their own fee as well.