Assistance with VAT on Imported Goods

DullGreyGuy

RFW said:

DullGreyGuy said:

Can only comment for the couriers that operate in the UK and assuming the seller is both honest and accurate in completing the declaration then I've seen no material difference between the couriers. Each has charged me to the penny what the VAT and Duty was supposed to be and whilst the fee varies a little it was inline with their stated fees.

Have known plenty of sellers offering to mark things as a gift, commercial samples or say the value was under £20 (before the VAT changes) but that then gets messy when the parcel doesn't arrive. 

This is a big courier that operates in the UK. As I say I've not used the company for a few years so don't know if it still goes on. The Chinese company knew that this courier was easier than others to either undervalue or mark as a gift. It wasn't even anything underhand it was quite clear on their checkout page.

It probably helped that it was often high value goods in quite a small box and nothing electrical.

When I get a chance I'll check if they still do it.

For those sellers declaring the package is £30 (old VAT system) or sample or return etc didnt note too much difference either but I avoided most those sellers as saw the horror stories when the package is damaged in transit and the courier pays out the £30 declared value not the £400 value of the contents. 

MR1988

I ended up paying as I really don't want the headache of dealing with claim companies chasing the money. I tried look into disputing this with HMRC but on the gov website says I need the import paper that was attached to parcel, which I don't have anymore. I'll just stay away from EU stores in the future unless it's absolutely necessary.

I had another parcel missdeclared last year by £100 but that one came through DPD so they informed me of the fees beforehand. I just refused payment and they sent it back. But with Fedex delivering before asking payment it puts consumer in an awkward situation.

Both times I had issues with missdeclared value was when I ordered from France. I dunno if they do things differently.

RFW

MR1988 said:

Both times I had issues with missdeclared value was when I ordered from France. I dunno if they do things differently.

At a guess they've probably not got the hang of it post Brexit, it's said to be quite complex to do. I deal with one company in France and they have only recently started reselling to the UK but they did that by having a small warehouse here.