Will buying items from China have extra charges due to brexit

[renaiponpon]

Hey guys, I want to buy an item from China around £17-22. I've never had a custom charges buying from China before, the only time I have was buying something from Japan.

Due to brexit, I'm not sure if there's any rule changes when it comes to buying out of the UK? I've tried researching on it but can't find a definitive answer so if someone can help me out!

[red_magpie]

Nothing has changed because of Brexit. Import duty and VAT were always payable, where applicable, on imports from China.

If you're importing anythng that costs enough to pay import duty, do bear in mind that items bought direct from sellers in China may turn out to be poor quality, unbranded or unknown brands, or counterfeit. Or, on some cases, even dangerous.

We hear about so many problems, often with no answer. There will be no UK style consumer protection, any warranty may be worthless, and if you have to return it to China it will be at your own expense.

[rusticrye]

China is not in the EU, so we have always had to pay VAT and import fees when importing goods from there.

For the low value you're talking about, Ebay will collect 20% VAT from you at Point of Sale, as is now required of all selling platforms when item and shipping is below £135, as per a law passed in 2016 for implementation on1st January 2021.  This law has nothing whatsoever to do with Brexit, and applies to all imports under that value from anywhere in the world.  A very good thing, as there will now be no carrier's admin fee to pay for collecting those taxes when the goods enter the country, a  fee that was a killer on low value items.

Any imports over that value will be assessed by Customs as before, because import tax is due at that point as well as VAT, so all taxes will be collected by carriers as before. 

For full information on importing goods, go to the UK government's website.

@renaiponpon 

[anj943j]

As of the begining on January all imports are subject to VAT even if less than  £15. For all items from £0 to £135 the VAT is collected by ebay as part of the purchase and for a buy it now the VAT is included in the buy-it-now price.

For example those items imported from China which used to cost £0.99 are now £1.19.

For auctions you will see  it say +20% VAT.

For items above £135 VAT,import duty and any admin fees are payable when delivered as in the old system.

[**peaseblossom**]

As far as I know it hasn't changed, ie. under £15 there's no charge, over £15 and up to £135 you pay VAT - in theory, doesn't always happen.

[rusticrye]

The £15 import threshold no longer exists, pease. 20% VAT is now payable on the whole invoice amount.

@renaiponpon