Post Brexit Import Duty/VAT Due?

damogti

Let me provide some history..... I have a boat with an outboard engine which went faulty. Initial checks made by a local firm suggested the engine management ECU was faulty and needed to be replaced at a cost of over £1500 so i decided to look at the possibililty of getting the old one repaired. A google search identified a company in the Netherlands that specialised in ECU repairs at a reasonable price so i sent it off to them in Novemver 2020 so they could take a look at it. Initially they quoted a two week lead time but this slipped and then Christmas came so the company didnt have it ready to return back to me until Monday last week (4th Jan) and used DHL to send it back to me.

I noticed when checking the tracking of the parcel that DHL have paid VAT duty on my behalf and require a payment of £104 from me to settle this which is completely unexpected, not least because the item is not new given i already own it, i have just had it repaired. 

I've checked the gov website for details to explain what duty/tax is due and whether i should have to pay anything given i already own the item but cannot find anything that covers this situation. Does anyone know where i stand on this please? Is the VAT due legitimate or can i refuse to pay it? 

Thank in advance for help on this. 

Aylesbury_Duck

I've no idea whether VAT is applicable or not, but I suspect you still owe DHL amd will have to contest it with customs later if it shouldn't have been applied.  DHL have paid, so you owe them. 

visidigi

Did you export it for repair and return? 
If you didn't declare it, you might be able to retrospectively claim it - but you would need to pay DHL first and reclaim.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/pay-less-import-duty-and-vat-when-re-importing-goods-to-the-uk-and-eu

damogti

visidigi said:

Did you export it for repair and return? 
If you didn't declare it, you might be able to retrospectively claim it - but you would need to pay DHL first and reclaim.

Yes, sent to EU (Netherlands) for repair and the company then returned it once fixed. 

Thanks for the link, i didnt come a corss that one when i search so will take a look.

visidigi

damogti said:

visidigi said:

Did you export it for repair and return? 
If you didn't declare it, you might be able to retrospectively claim it - but you would need to pay DHL first and reclaim.

Yes, sent to EU (Netherlands) for repair and the company then returned it once fixed. 

Thanks for the link, i didnt come a corss that one when i search so will take a look.

I know you sent it, but you have to declare it on the outbound to get the relief on the inbound. If you didn't then you will need to retrospectively claim.