Buying goods from USA

imported_jac

Hi

I recently bought my son a Nintendo DS on ebay from America. When it arrived we had to pay duty. Is this normal when buying from America. There was no mention of it in the item description or charges.

Jackie

VH

If the parcel gets intercepted by Customs then yes you will have to pay duty if it is not a gift. This is nothing to so with the seller, rather, Customs are the ones charging you the duty.

It's a bit hit and miss whether Customs get you or not. I once bought something for £70 and had to pay something like £11 duty on it. Other times I have bought stuff and not paid anything.

imported_jac

Hi

Thanks VH.

I'd better go and leave positive feedback then

Jackie

Hintza

Just to add to what VH said.

You can not expect overseas sellers to know or care what each country's duty system is.

It is upto you to check this out.

Go to https://www.hmce.gov.uk there are all the answers.

Basically anything over £18 is liable to VAT and maybe duty. Sometimes you are lucky sometimes you are not.

I had a spate of all items being stopped but after sending my invoices to them I have been left alone now.