Credit card refund on goods seized by customs

themorganator4

Hi,


This is currently hypothetical but I wanted to put my mind at rest (or prepare for the worst). I bought some whisky from Spain as the cost was cheaper than in the UK by quite a margin. I used a Mastercard credit card


I am aware I may have to pay excise duty on the whisky which is fine (still cheaper, remarkably) however I also read that if excise duty has not been paid by the seller then goods can be seized by customs so this brings me to my question:


If my goods are seized (and ultimately destroyed) by customs as the seller failed to pay UK duty, can I get a refund under section 75? I have read that it is the sellers responsibility to pay the duty of the destination country.


Also, in case it is relevant, I bought the whisky from an online shop selling to the public and not a wholesaler i.e Spanish duty and VAT has already been paid.

18cc

You could raise an 'item not received' case if not received, but however unless I am missing something, as we are still in the EU....???

stevenhp1987

18cc wrote: »

You could raise an 'item not received' case if not received, but however unless I am missing something, as we are still in the EU....???

The seller would need to pay UK Excise Duty on alcohol imports, even within the EU.

If they don't, and the product is destroyed (this is very unlikely...), then the buyer can simply charge back / section 75 / demand a refund from the seller for the item not being received.

Nothing to worry about here.

themorganator4

Yes, goods which command an excise duty in the uk (essentially alcohol and tobacco) have to have their duty paid if the goods are shipped over (i.e not brought over by the buyer him/her self) even within the EU.


This is (I think) to stop people ordering large quantities of wine from France or tobacco from Poland online for significant less cost than buying in the UK.


Of course, if you were to buy the goods in the country of origin and transport them yourself then you don't pay duty providing you are within the limits.

themorganator4

stevenhp1987 wrote: »

The seller would need to pay UK Excise Duty on alcohol imports, even within the EU.

If they don't, and the product is destroyed (this is very unlikely...), then the buyer can simply charge back / section 75 / demand a refund from the seller for the item not being received.

Nothing to worry about here.

brilliant, thank you.


Lets hope my Glenmorangie arrives with only the excise duty attached to it, or better yet, with nothing to pay at all!

powerful_Rogue

Depends who delivers the item.
If RM for example, you will get a card saying duties are payable along with an admin fee. Once you pay, you get the item. If you don't pay, then the item willbe returned to sender.

themorganator4

powerful_Rogue wrote: »

Depends who delivers the item.
If RM for example, you will get a card saying duties are payable along with an admin fee. Once you pay, you get the item. If you don't pay, then the item willbe returned to sender.

I believe it is Parcelforce (once it arrives in the UK)

powerful_Rogue

themorganator4 wrote: »

I believe it is Parcelforce (once it arrives in the UK)

In which case they will hold your parcel for 21 days. If you don't pay, they will return it to the sender.

Thrugelmir

themorganator4 wrote: »

I believe it is Parcelforce (once it arrives in the UK)

Would normally come through a customs unit if that was the case. Parcelforce collect import duties on behalf of HMRC.

Though shipping glass bottles in this manner wouldn't be advisable. Be surprised if they survived the journey.

What terms were the goods shipped on? Are all import duties etc your responsibility?

themorganator4

Thrugelmir wrote: »

Would normally come through a customs unit if that was the case. Parcelforce collect import duties on behalf of HMRC.

Though shipping glass bottles in this manner wouldn't be advisable. Be surprised if they survived the journey.

What terms were the goods shipped on? Are all import duties etc your responsibility?

I just read the terms, it does not state that I would be liable for charges etc due to customs (doesn't specify anywhere about customs charges) it only states that VAT is included in the price.


I would hope that the bottle would be in a hard wooden case which will subsequently be well wrapped, so I am fairly confident of the condition of the item.

themorganator4

I'm happy (and expecting) to pay the duty as it would still be a good £200 cheaper than buying in the UK!