Importing Ebay buys from Japan

[richarrab-0]

I'm noting that buying items from Japan does not mean paying VAT or other taxes at the time of purchase. I've also received a few smaller buys from Japan recently, and NOT been charged import duties.

    Am I being too optimistic to think a Wrist Watch bought on eBay from Japan would slip through UK customs? And whilst on this subject I also recently got a purchase from Australia that slipped through; Am I missing something here?

  Thanks for your info. and or ideas                            

[papso22]

The seller will have refunded you voluntarily.   Had they not done that there would have been no way to get help from ebay.

[hlodryk]

Yes, that's a good point.
Although return seems automatic, refund is probably not.
In some cases a degree of engagement with the seller may be needed.
But in most cases it should be in the best interest of the seller to go along with the refund, unless seller-buyer relationship has gone south.