Is customs charge correct!? Help please!!

[Spellkaster]

Regarding Ebay. I purchased an item from an American seller. The total cost of the item including postage came to £31. I got a card through the door today from royal mail asking me to pay a customs charge of £14.10. When I looked at royal mail customs online it clearly states on there that goods purchased below £135 would be exempt from customs duty. What should I do!?

[Kati]

Re: Is customs charge correct!? Help please!!

can you post up a copy of the letter/card (redacted) please [MENTION=29373]Spellkaster[/MENTION]??

[Spellkaster]

Is customs charge correct please (2)

This was the card I had in the door asking me to pay a £14.10 customs charge fee.

Doesn't say as to why.

I've asked the ebayer what value did they declare on the customs form.

It is genuine because I spoke to the postman who delivered it.

The total cost of the goods was £31.

I understand on the customs website goods worth under £135 are exempt.

[Kati]

Re: Is customs charge correct!? Help please!!

Have you read this?? https://www.gov.uk/government/public...nal-post-users

What are the limits for customs duty and import VAT?

• commercial consignments ie goods you have purchased, of £15 or less are free from Customs Duty and import VAT. Note: This does not include alcohol, tobacco products, perfume or toilet waters; these items are excluded from the relief of duty and VAT at import. In addition, commercial consignments sent to the UK from the Channel Islands do not benefit from any relief of import VAT

[Spellkaster]

Re: Is customs charge correct!? Help please!!

Have you read this?? https://www.gov.uk/government/public...nal-post-users

Yes I did, but it also states quiet clearly good to the value under £135 are exempt from duty.

Confusing.

- - - Updated - - -

Gift send from one individual to another *see exceptions below	Value up to £39	No	No
Value over £39 up to £135	Yes	No
Value over £135	Yes	Yes
All other items *#see exceptions below
Value up to £15	No	No
Value over £15 up to £135	Yes	No
Value over £135	Yes	Yes

[Spellkaster]

Re: Is customs charge correct!? Help please!!

There is this one table showing good bought outside the EU:
Customs Duty

You’ll be charged Customs Duty on gifts and other goods sent from outside the EU if they’re above a certain value.
The value includes:

• the price paid for the goods
• postage, packaging and insurance

Anything under £135	No charge
Gifts worth £135-£630	2.5%, but rates are lower for some goods - call the helpline
Gifts above £630 and other goods above £135	The rate depends on the type of goods and where they came from - call the helpline

- - - Updated - - -

So according to the one above, I shouldn't be paying anything at all!!

[Kati]

Re: Is customs charge correct!? Help please!!

I'd suggest asking for clarification of why the charges have been added on ... did the sender put down it was a gift or a purchase on the customs sticker? was it tobacco, perfumes or alcohol etc... ?

[Spellkaster]

Re: Is customs charge correct!? Help please!!

I'd suggest asking for clarification of why the charges have been added on ... did the sender put down it was a gift or a purchase on the customs sticker? was it tobacco, perfumes or alcohol etc... ?

They haven't said.

I wont know until I pick packet up on monday and pay for it.

Can I ask for a refund if its clear I was overcharged!?

[Kati]

Re: Is customs charge correct!? Help please!!

Can I ask for a refund if its clear I was overcharged!?

I'd assume so ... if you've been charged incorrectly then they should reimburse you (although the fee you are paying Royal Mail includes their handling fee of £8, so I'd think that would have to be queried separately)

[ostell]

Re: Is customs charge correct!? Help please!!

reading that linked notice it would seem that it is correct that goods under £135 and free from duty BUT goods between £15 and £135 while free of any duty are liable for import VAT. This is because it was a commercial import. Gifts or non trade that Vat limit rises to £39

So: £31 x .20 VAT = 6.20 + £8 Royal Mail charge - £14.20 (So they missed off 10 p)