Customs Duties UK to EU

[a_brit_in_czech]

Hello. I am getting nowhere with eBay's automated assistant. I wonder if someone can help me. Yesterday I bought two hi-fi items from the UK, I live in the Czech Republic and I buy from the UK all the time. But, eBay have taken two quite hefty fee for 'import taxes', does anyone know why? I just checked the UK government website about EU citizens buying goods from the UK and the information is clear... NO duties to be paid until the end of the year. And now that a trade deal has been struck there will absolutely be no customs duties between UK and EU. ultimately my goal is to get these two hefty fees back. Any help appreciated. Daniel.

[arkwebus · Accepted solution]

It's "Import Charges" [which is a meaningless phrase] not "Import Duty". We seem to be lucky in that from 1st January all imports and exports to and from EU will still not bear duty etc.

@a_brit_in_czech 

[a_brit_in_czech · Accepted solution]

Yes, thank you. I think I finally get it now... it isn't a customs tax, it is a shipping charge to eBay's global shipping service who get the items to me. And the post and packaging fee goes to the seller who sends my item to the global shipping place. Thank you to all off you for your kind assistance.

[red_magpie]

Normally, if you receive an item from an overseas seller it's down to you, as the importer, to pay any import taxes on delivery in your own country.

If eBay has charged you for import taxes, the item must have been delivered using eBay's global shipping programme. In this, the buyer pays eBay direct for the delivery charge plus any expected import duties.

EBay should not have included import taxes in a purchase and delivery within the EU. Are you sure you're not confusing this with their delivery charge, which is often very high?

If they have charged for import taxes where none are payable you will have to take this up with eBay. First read the detailed t&c for the global shipping programme - it may cover what to do in this situation. (I don't use the GSP myself, so can't advise you on this.)

[a_brit_in_czech]

Thank you for taking the time to reply. I have doubled checked and both items have a 'Postage Charge' PLUS 'Import Charges'. My address is clearly showing as the Czech Republic (I haven't changed this since I left Blighty in 2016 and I have bought dozens of things off of eBay UK without issues). So I have just finished a frustrating live chat with an eBay representative, the conclusion of which is that I have requested a supervisor / manager take a look at my two purchases and get back to me. Happy to update this thread when news comes in just in case eBay are taking Import Duties from other unsuspecting EU residents.

[john1297576]

Was the seller using the Global Shipping Programme? If they were on their listings it would say "Posts to the UK and many Other Countries".

If that is the case then go to the listings and look in POSTAGE and enter your Country. That will show the expensive charge made by Global Shipping.

If both purchases were from the same seller you would have been charged for each as the Shipping/postage cost would not be combined.

I suspect that this is what the charges relate to and mention of Duty is just part of the standard wording.

I doubt that ebay woud collect any charge as they could not guess what YOUR GOVERNMENT would be charging for an import duty that did not and won't exist.

In future I suggest avoiding any sellers who appear to be using Global, and check before buying what the Postage is as that includes all charges.

[a_brit_in_czech]

Thank you for your reply. I have done what you said and opened the listings (different sellers). I have entered Czech Republic and hit 'Get Rates' and they show up as exactly what I have paid already. In the 'Postage & Packaging' box there is an acceptable charge of £12.33. The box next to it is 'Import Charges (estimated)' and in that there is a £10.54 charge for one of the HIFI items that I paid £29.99 for and for the second HIFI item that I bought for £49.95 the 'Postage & Packaging' is £19.17 and 'Import Charges (estimated)' another £16.28.