Import Charges for item from USA to UK

[toria_7]

Hi! I'm looking to buy an item from ebay.com with a best offer of $20. This is under £15 which was previously the threshhold after which I would have to pay import fees. However when I go in to make the offer, it gives an import charge estimate of $13.28 (via the global shipping programme). There is an import charge no matter what offer i try to make, so it appears there is no longer any threshhold.

My question is, has there been a recent change with import charges, as I've purchased many items over the years from the US and £15 was always the cutoff for these fees?

Also as an aside, the item is listed with a buy it now price of $26.95 on ebay.com and $32.34 on ebay.co.uk which is the first time I've ever noticed a price difference between the 2 sites. Is this also new?

Thanks in advance!

[redwick1 · Accepted solution]

The £15 exemption is no longer.

Also

Starting 1 January 2021, eBay is required to collect VAT on certain orders delivered to UK addresses:

• Orders up to £135 sent from outside the UK
• Orders where the item is located in the UK, but the seller is not a UK seller

You'll see the VAT included in your order total at checkout, and you can view and download a tax invoice from the Order details page in your Purchase history.

On orders over £135 imported to the UK, the recipient may need to pay VAT as part of clearing the parcel through customs.

The full policy is at the bottom of the page under Annoucements

[toria_7 · Accepted solution]

Many thanks for clarifying this. I was unaware of this change. Take care!