How to claim customs back, interpreting the Application for repayment/remission form

infocomo

Hi all, not sure if this is the right place but I am quite in a pickle on something... I purchased an item from China, and when it arrived via FedEx it did not work, so I sent it back and had a refund from the supplier, including my shipping costs. All good. But then I had an invoice from FedEx for the import duty. I have begrudgingly paid this even though I am now £50.52 at a loss because it seems I have to due to agreeing with the purchaser to use FedEx through eBay. FedEx state I have to claim this back from HMRC not them, even  though they paid it on my behalf. 

So I went to claim it back using the C285 form online but HMRC are asking for values I have no idea about. My FedEx invoice states Advancement Fee £12.00 and Original VAT £38.92. But the C285 form asks for Duty Paid and Duty Paid to HMRC and VAT Paid and VAT Paid to HMRC. I cant figure out what values to enter in here to get the £50.52 back. 

Does anyone know how to fill these boxes in? 

I dont know if there will be any more fields I dont understand as I cant get past this screen without entering the correct info. 

Thanks

Lazydayz71

Hi, you might get more response and find more people with experience of this, by posting your question on Ebay's forum or Community as they call it.

Best of luck!

soolin

Lazydayz71 said:

Hi, you might get more response and find more people with experience of this, by posting your question on Ebay's forum or Community as they call it.

Best of luck!

This is nothing to do with ebay, ideally we need to hope that someone who understands the VAT and duty well will log in and can explain which of the figures goes where. OP, If I can think of a better board on this forum to send this to I will move it, but I am hopeful that someone will spot it here. 

Spoonie_Turtle

If not, maybe FedEx could clarify exactly what fees were paid to HMRC for you - they can't just turn round and tell you 'take it up with HMRC' again when that's what you're actively trying to do

Lazydayz71

soolin said:

This is nothing to do with ebay...

I wasn't implying it was anything to do with Ebay, maybe I wasn't clear. I was implying that the OP might find more people who have experienced this on the Ebay Community Forum.

custardy

infocomo said:

Hi all, not sure if this is the right place but I am quite in a pickle on something... I purchased an item from China, and when it arrived via FedEx it did not work, so I sent it back and had a refund from the supplier, including my shipping costs. All good. But then I had an invoice from FedEx for the import duty. I have begrudgingly paid this even though I am now £50.52 at a loss because it seems I have to due to agreeing with the purchaser to use FedEx through eBay. FedEx state I have to claim this back from HMRC not them, even  though they paid it on my behalf. 

So I went to claim it back using the C285 form online but HMRC are asking for values I have no idea about. My FedEx invoice states Advancement Fee £12.00 and Original VAT £38.92. But the C285 form asks for Duty Paid and Duty Paid to HMRC and VAT Paid and VAT Paid to HMRC. I cant figure out what values to enter in here to get the £50.52 back. 

Does anyone know how to fill these boxes in? 

I dont know if there will be any more fields I dont understand as I cant get past this screen without entering the correct info. 

Thanks

Im not sure what you are asking? The £12 fee is between you and Fedex and only they will be refunding that.
You paid £38.92 VAT,so thats what was paid to HMRC.

martindow

Imports are potentially liable for import duty and VAT.  The invoice may not mention duty as for some items it is zero, so if you can't see a figure put 0 in the duty box.  38.92 is the VAT figure.  As has been said the £12 you paid to Fedex is their fee for organising and paying customs fees and collecting them from you so that is not reclaimable.  HMRC should refund the VAT and duty paid (if any).  I've never had to do this so they may charge a fee for processing this.  You of course also need to settle the Fedex bill.
You will end up out of pocket but that is the hazard of buying outside the EU (and possibly outside the UK in the future...)

infocomo

Sorry for late reply, am not getting forum alerts....

FedEx state
"If the goods were rejected you are entitled to reclaim the full Duty and VAT. No Duty was levied for this shipment. The VAT value was £38.92"

But not being able to claim the £12 back I find unbelievable as I have not commissioned FedEx to do this for me, they just do it and charge me without asking for permission, and looks like I lose £12 even though I returned the item as faulty so I should not be out of pocket. I dont think there is any way for me to me to not have FedEx use their fast track route, the seller chooses to use them to ship to me, so I dont understand why legally people have to pay this charge. 

custardy

infocomo said:

Sorry for late reply, am not getting forum alerts....

FedEx state
"If the goods were rejected you are entitled to reclaim the full Duty and VAT. No Duty was levied for this shipment. The VAT value was £38.92"

But not being able to claim the £12 back I find unbelievable as I have not commissioned FedEx to do this for me, they just do it and charge me without asking for permission, and looks like I lose £12 even though I returned the item as faulty so I should not be out of pocket. I dont think there is any way for me to me to not have FedEx use their fast track route, the seller chooses to use them to ship to me, so I dont understand why legally people have to pay this charge. 

Repeated so many times in so many posts.
So when you imported your goods,who was dealing with the importation documentation and fees?