Brexit & EORI numbers

BenjaminClarke

So I have often bought items online at places like DH gate, Alibaba and Wish. Some of these items come from abroad. I bought some clothing and others bits from a DH Gate store who were based in China in November time. I have had a message from UPS today asking me for an EORI number before they can deliver my items! I looked online and to get an EORI number I need to have a Government Gateway account and a UTR number... I am not self employed, I don't run a business... the items are clothes for me, my son and my wife. 

I tried to speak to UPS but they told me that without an EORI number they were unable to deliver my goods to me! 

Is anyone else having such issues? Is this the future? Do I need to register as self employed in order to import anything into the country now? Or is this just a hiccup in a new system? 

daveyjp

Probably your first entry into the future.

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2020/dec/28/brexit-customs-duties-to-apply-to-eu-goods-worth-more-than-390

unforeseen

daveyjp said:

Probably your first entry into the future.

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2020/dec/28/brexit-customs-duties-to-apply-to-eu-goods-worth-more-than-390

Apart from the fact that OP's stuff is incoming from China and not the EU.
UPS have a wrong understanding. An EORI is for importing or exporting goods to the EU, OP is doing neither. 

noitsnotme

unforeseen said:

daveyjp said:

Probably your first entry into the future.

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2020/dec/28/brexit-customs-duties-to-apply-to-eu-goods-worth-more-than-390

Apart from the fact that OP's stuff is incoming from China and not the EU.
UPS have a wrong understanding. An EORI is for importing or exporting goods to the EU, OP is doing neither. 

Well they are currently importing in to the EU.... the UK is still part of the EU until 1st Jan.

unforeseen

noitsnotme said:

unforeseen said:

daveyjp said:

Probably your first entry into the future.

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2020/dec/28/brexit-customs-duties-to-apply-to-eu-goods-worth-more-than-390

Apart from the fact that OP's stuff is incoming from China and not the EU.
UPS have a wrong understanding. An EORI is for importing or exporting goods to the EU, OP is doing neither. 

Well they are currently importing in to the EU.... the UK is still part of the EU until 1st Jan.

As stated by the OP, this was not required before. What about other people who regularly by from China such as Ebay users? Nothing changes until 31 Dec, so somebody is not understanding it. 

EORI isn't new. 

noitsnotme

unforeseen said:

noitsnotme said:

unforeseen said:

daveyjp said:

Probably your first entry into the future.

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2020/dec/28/brexit-customs-duties-to-apply-to-eu-goods-worth-more-than-390

Apart from the fact that OP's stuff is incoming from China and not the EU.
UPS have a wrong understanding. An EORI is for importing or exporting goods to the EU, OP is doing neither. 

Well they are currently importing in to the EU.... the UK is still part of the EU until 1st Jan.

As stated by the OP, this was not required before. What about other people who regularly by from China such as Ebay users? Nothing changes until 31 Dec, so somebody is not understanding it. 

EORI isn't new. 

I was only addressing the point that you made when you said the OP wasn’t importing in to the EU when in fact they actually are until 1st Jan.  

All the other stuff is something they need to sort out with UPS but it appears UPS clearly believe the OP is acting as a business.  If UPS regularly deal with international imports for the OP perhaps that is why they think they are running a business.

BenjaminClarke

Yes, I have spoken to UPS and they said it all depends on weight and they also said that because my goods moved through the EU I need an EORI number. 

They are going to send out my goods but they warned me that this will most likely happen again as they are going on weight of items. If your package is over 10kg for example then they will hold it until you either prove you're not operating as a business or provide them with an EORI number. 

The key to it seems to be to keep your orders abroad small and you won't have issues.

Brynsam

BenjaminClarke said:

Yes, I have spoken to UPS and they said it all depends on weight and they also said that because my goods moved through the EU I need an EORI number. 

They are going to send out my goods but they warned me that this will most likely happen again as they are going on weight of items. If your package is over 10kg for example then they will hold it until you either prove you're not operating as a business or provide them with an EORI number. 

Proving a negative is always interesting. What sort of proof did they have in mind, or didn't they say?