Import duty on goods coming from China

sanfairyanne

I recently purchased 3 pairs of shoes after seeing an advert online. The shoes were advertised in sterling (pic attached), however, when I paid I saw the payment went through PayPal in U.S dollars. I assumed I'd mistakenly purchased from the U.S, but I later found out that the shoes were coming from China. I immediately tried to cancel the order but never had a reply. The sum is a little over $130, so not a fortune, but it could lead to me being forced to pay import duties. I think this is unfair because I can prove the shoes were advertised in Sterling. The shoes have yet to arrive, so I'm hoping to get a little advice beforehand.  Do I have a leg to stand on!

Many thanks in advance.

DoaM

No you don't ... well, you hopefully still have two legs to stand on (with the shoes on your feet) but in terms of customs charges - if the package is assessed then you'll need to pay. (Unless the package shipped within the EU - currently - then there were always customs charges, and VAT, liable).

Everything about that website screams Not a UK supplier. (.com address, shipping times, shipping charges all shown in USD, etc.)

JJ_Egan

Nope  both USA and China can have import duty and charges .

The parcel company that handles the package will just impose duty and charges .

Sterling is the price not the source  .

davidmcn

There's no internationally - enforceable law which says items advertised in Sterling have to come from the UK. Any consumer rights you have will be Chinese. 

Sandtree

Which site did you buy from?

You can always refuse delivery which will mean import charges wont be payable however if you get a refund or not etc depends on the terms and conditions of the site and the governing law of the contract

cymruchris

Andrew Waddington! Well I never! Fancy seeing you on here. (I actually have no idea who you are - but you should crop your screen shot not to show off your name! And yes - if there are charges to pay - you'll have to pay them - unless the retailer specifically mentions that they'll pay any charges if they arise. I often use a HK company to order cameras and lenses - and if charged duty they'll pay the fees - but this is openly stated on their website. Have you checked the terms and conditions of this site to see if they offer something similar? (If it's not mentioned - it's safe to assume they don't)

ssparks2003

And whilst I would not wish to blacken the name of all Chinese companies, are you sure the are genuine? 

DoaM

Sandtree said:

Which site did you buy from?

I presume you're not able to see the screenshot in the OP?

shaun_from_Africa

Sandtree said:

Which site did you buy from?

https://www.sohaped.com/products/hot-trail-running-shoes

£40 shoes that probably cost less than  £1 to make and probably a Chinese rip off of these:
https://www.startfitness.co.uk/salomon-speedcross-3-mens-trail-running-shoes-l12760900.html

soolin

I suspect another Facebook / social media planted advert on which there have been dozens of threads these past few weeks. I do think we need some sort of guide prominently displayed that shows how to do 30 second checks on these adverts before parting with any cash. I suspect though that even a guide in red flashing letters wouldn't get read until it is too late

They are unlikely to be genuine unfortunately but if you do try and return them then you will struggle as you will have to fund the return yourself and many Far East companies never accept them on arrival.

How did you pay as I seem to recall one of the threads had a happy outcome when the credit card refunded them when buyer proved they had been sold fakes. 

soolin

https://www.cyberbunkers.com/2020/06/sohapedcom-reviews-is-sohapedcom-scam.html

https://scambunkers.com/pages/search_result.html?host=sohaped.com