Import Charges

April 01, 2021, 08:04 AM

Brian T

Import Charges

There are lots of cards that I see for sale on Ebay that are shipped via the Global Shipping Program. Some of the cards are for sale for under $5 with International Shipping charges of $25 - $30. These charges are high but I realise that there is an element of insurance and protection for the seller. What I don't understand is the additional $10 - $15 Import Charge. I know Tax or Duty is required for items over a certain value but why is it charged on a card with a low selling price. Can someone please explain what this Import Charge is for as paying up to $40 shipping on a single $5 card is preventing me from adding to my collection.

April 01, 2021, 10:22 AM

wolfie

I only see GSP on an auction and i just move on, the whole thing is a farce, i suggest you do the same.

....and no i realise this does not answer your question.

April 01, 2021, 10:30 AM

hammer

quote:
Originally posted by Brian T:
There are lots of cards that I see for sale on Ebay that are shipped via the Global Shipping Program. Some of the cards are for sale for under $5 with International Shipping charges of $25 - $30. These charges are high but I realise that there is an element of insurance and protection for the seller. What I don't understand is the additional $10 - $15 Import Charge. I know Tax or Duty is required for items over a certain value but why is it charged on a card with a low selling price. Can someone please explain what this Import Charge is for as paying up to $40 shipping on a single $5 card is preventing me from adding to my collection.

Brian, since we left EU we have to pay VAT on all purchases under a certain amount at time of purchase. So a $10 card now attracts VAT (plus other brokerage charges) the VAT is charged on total cost - including postage. Before we only paid VAT on items over £35?

April 01, 2021, 12:07 PM

Triple-Frog

quote:
Originally posted by hammer:
quote:
Originally posted by Brian T:
There are lots of cards that I see for sale on Ebay that are shipped via the Global Shipping Program. Some of the cards are for sale for under $5 with International Shipping charges of $25 - $30. These charges are high but I realise that there is an element of insurance and protection for the seller. What I don't understand is the additional $10 - $15 Import Charge. I know Tax or Duty is required for items over a certain value but why is it charged on a card with a low selling price. Can someone please explain what this Import Charge is for as paying up to $40 shipping on a single $5 card is preventing me from adding to my collection.

Brian, since we left EU we have to pay VAT on all purchases under a certain amount at time of purchase. So a $10 card now attracts VAT (plus other brokerage charges) the VAT is charged on total cost - including postage. Before we only paid VAT on items over £35?

I am thinking of doing a cheap little experiment as while what Hammer says is correct legally Ebay appears to be ignoring this and charging on all items regardless of value .

I know of a seller outside the UK who I have bought from before who ships free of charge and sells many under £10 items . When I look at his listings now as opposed to 2020 they all say " + 20% VAT will apply " . If I find something I want I will buy it and report back on what happens .

April 01, 2021, 04:38 PM

barobehere

Two other options are:
1. Get a US mailing service box. They collect all your mail and then send it to you at your request.

2.A fellow collector friend in the UK has all his US sales sent to me. Every few months I gather them up in a parcel and he pays me to send it to him. Instead of dozens of packages going through the ebay global shipping program he gets one package that gets hit with a higher VAT because it is worth more. So, you could always make a US friend who you trust to do this for you.

April 02, 2021, 05:14 AM

Neilsy

You now pay VAT on everything that you import to the UK no matter the value. You also pay VAT on the postage and packaging.
Ebay will collect the VAT when you buy.

April 02, 2021, 09:15 AM

Raj

quote:
Originally posted by Neilsy:
You now pay VAT on everything that you import to the UK no matter the value. You also pay VAT on the postage and packaging.
Ebay will collect the VAT when you buy.

Everything VATable, anyway.
Books, magazines and comics should be exempt.

April 02, 2021, 09:34 AM

sittin9duck

I once got a case of marvel masterpieces with no vat on it. The seller had labelled it as printed mater and it got through with no vat. Cards should be exempt vat as printed mater but I think they just class them as gaming cards/toys and charge vat.

April 02, 2021, 09:59 AM

Triple-Frog

quote:
Originally posted by Neilsy:
You now pay VAT on everything that you import to the UK no matter the value. You also pay VAT on the postage and packaging.
Ebay will collect the VAT when you buy.

Must admit I had not realised that low value consignment relief had been abolished . Now what Ebay is doing makes sense from a legal standpoint although it does mean I will not buy internationally through them in the future .

April 03, 2021, 08:52 AM

Brian T

Thanks for the response, it has been very informative. I did not realise that VAT was charged on the shipping as well. Looks like I will have to keep avoiding these sellers.

April 04, 2021, 05:58 AM

007sergei

me, i think a lot of sellers will sell fewer cards in europe; alone, some sellers sell and send with a value below £ 10. which means no tax paid for the buyer; unfortunately, some sellers want to follow the ebay program; but in my opinion they will sell much less than before.