Buying from aliexpress, Seller from China requesting a tax number or ID number for FedEx

11 Posts

This is the the first time I've used aliexpress, so I'm a complete novice when it comes to importing goods from overseas.
I did all my due diligence before buying, first checking the sellers feedback, 100% satisfied, over 1000 followers and half a dozen reviews of the acutal product I was buying, all positive. I've even been in contact with the seller and they've sent pictures of item I bought, before it's been packed, all good but has it been too positive?
Today I received a message from the seller asking for a tax number or ID number, this is at the request of the courier FedEx. As I understand the situation, from what I've read online, I will be responsible for pay import duty and tax on the item, and this is usually collected by the courier before delivery, the amount due will be calculated from the invoice with the parcel.
Obviously my worry is, what happens if I can't supply either number? Is this where I discover it's all been smoke and mirrors?
Has anyone had any experience with this type of purchase or knowledgeable about the inner working of importing electronics from China via aliexpress?
I did cover my purchase by using PayPal to buy the item.
Thanks for reading, any answer is very much appreciated.
I did all my due diligence before buying, first checking the sellers feedback, 100% satisfied, over 1000 followers and half a dozen reviews of the acutal product I was buying, all positive. I've even been in contact with the seller and they've sent pictures of item I bought, before it's been packed, all good but has it been too positive?
Today I received a message from the seller asking for a tax number or ID number, this is at the request of the courier FedEx. As I understand the situation, from what I've read online, I will be responsible for pay import duty and tax on the item, and this is usually collected by the courier before delivery, the amount due will be calculated from the invoice with the parcel.
Obviously my worry is, what happens if I can't supply either number? Is this where I discover it's all been smoke and mirrors?
Has anyone had any experience with this type of purchase or knowledgeable about the inner working of importing electronics from China via aliexpress?
I did cover my purchase by using PayPal to buy the item.
Thanks for reading, any answer is very much appreciated.
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I do use some Far East sellers but only for smaller Nick Nack type items and steer clear of anything electrical or aimed at children, so make sure you know what you are looking at when you inspect your items.
All views are my own and not the official line of MoneySavingExpert.
Sorry I wasn't clear in my original post, I'm not a business seller, I've just bought an android headunit for my car, there weren't any like it advestised for sale in the UK, the only ones I found were on Aliexpress.
I have had a further update from the seller saying because I can't provide a tax/ID number, I can't have the item shipped with FedEx, instead they want to send it by Yun Express, which will take a further 3 days to process because the package is already with FedEx.
I've never heard of Yun Express but a quick search says their a big courier in China, something seems odd though, they've said because its being sent by Yun, I won't need to pay tax on it. Surely this can't be true, with this info and the delays I'm starting to get a bad feeling.
have an expensive paperweight.
Also, I think the kids are saying "Bricked" now-a-days, as in, it's as useful as a brick.