Import charges confusion

[mike3039]

I bought an item from the U.S. for shipping to the UK.  When I went to the checkout, import charges and shipping charges were listed, however when I proceeded to checkout I was only charged for shipping charges, not import charges.  I think the item is being sold via EBay Global Shipping Program, in which case I was under the impression that I should have been charged import charges at the checkout?  That's what EBay's documentation states.  There seems to be no option on the tracking page for the item which would allow me to pay the import charges separately.  The package tracking has been saying "Erlanger, KY" for the last 5 days.  Will my paypal account automatically be charged the import duty by HM Revenue & Customs when it arrives in the UK?  Or is it stuck in Erlanger waiting for me to pay something that I can't find a way to pay? So I have no idea what the heck is going on and I'm confused as hell.  Anybody care to untagle this frustrating muddle for me please?  

[roger_roger_over_and_nowt · Accepted solution]

If you have bought an item from a US seller and they are using the GSP you will have paid the postage cost and any duties.

Your parcel is still in US at Erlanger Kentucky.

[mike3039 · Accepted solution]

Thanks hur, my confusion is around the amount I was charged - there were 3 separated charges displayed in the listing: the cost of the item, the delivery charge and the duty. However my paypal account is showing that I have only be charged for the item and the postage, but not the import duty. Hence my confusion.

[pixiesen2012 · Accepted solution]

it should show a separate payment to pitney bowes for the overseas postage and import charges

[mike3039 · Accepted solution]

Pixiesen2012 - you're a star, thank you! I am a born idiot - it's hidden in plain sight on my paypal account page.

[rusticrye]

Hi Mike.

If the item was listed using Ebay's global shipping programme (the GSP), you pay the seller for the item and for his domestic shipping costs only, ie. to get the item to the global shipper's hub in the US.  You are invoiced separately for the international leg of the journey, and for any taxes which may be due, by Pitney Bowes, the global shipper. For full details of the GSP, use the Help pages with their integral search.

If the seller is charging you for international shipping himself, then the listing was not included in the global shipping programme. You'll therefore pay any VAT or import taxes which may be due when the goods enter the UK (20% VAT on combined item and postage value of £15+, and import tax on a value of £135+, plus the carrier's admin fee for collecting the taxes on the government's behalf).  Shipping internationally direct generally works out a lot cheaper for the buyer overall than if the GSP is used.  Adding a third party into the mix always bumps up costs.

@mike3039