Buying from Japan on eBay - Duty etc?
Discussion
Chaps,
Quickie to find out some collective experiences; I've just ordered a lens from a Japanese seller on (UK) eBay. It was a very good price for what looks like a second-hand item in immaculate condition, and probably £60 or so cheaper than the equivalent items sold by UK sellers. However I am aware that I am (in theory) liable for duty and VAT when it arrives in the UK.
Has anyone else bought from a Japanese seller on eBay and, if so, what are your experiences of being caught for such extra charges? Does it happen or do things generally just get delivered. FWIW, it's coming via Japan Post, who will (presumably) feed into the Royal Mail system.
Oli.
Quickie to find out some collective experiences; I've just ordered a lens from a Japanese seller on (UK) eBay. It was a very good price for what looks like a second-hand item in immaculate condition, and probably £60 or so cheaper than the equivalent items sold by UK sellers. However I am aware that I am (in theory) liable for duty and VAT when it arrives in the UK.
Has anyone else bought from a Japanese seller on eBay and, if so, what are your experiences of being caught for such extra charges? Does it happen or do things generally just get delivered. FWIW, it's coming via Japan Post, who will (presumably) feed into the Royal Mail system.
Oli.
Yes, but I expect that the sender will (not unreasonably) still charge me for the postage and packing. The advert did state that I would be liable for them, so I wouldn't want to cause him hassle.
Besides, the lens was cheaper than had it been sold in the UK. Even if I get stung for VAT and a handling charge then I will still only pay marginally more than I'd pay for a similar item from a UK-based seller.
Fingers crossed it'll slip through the net however.
Oli.
Besides, the lens was cheaper than had it been sold in the UK. Even if I get stung for VAT and a handling charge then I will still only pay marginally more than I'd pay for a similar item from a UK-based seller.
Fingers crossed it'll slip through the net however.
Oli.
Great, thanks. I'll try that. I will need to buy a gorilla suit to make it work, and the cost of the suit will probably be greater than the duty saving, but I like the principle.
I can't seem to find a gorilla suit for sale in Japan at the moment, but if I was to buy one from there what do you think the odds are of me being stung for duty and import tax?
Oli.
I can't seem to find a gorilla suit for sale in Japan at the moment, but if I was to buy one from there what do you think the odds are of me being stung for duty and import tax?
Oli.
Update: Had a letter from ParcelForce yesterday asking me to cough up £55 before they would send the parcel to me. £41.57p of VAT and the rest is their 'Handling Charge'(£13.50). I called them up and asked for the details and they were about as vague as a politician's pre-election promises on everything other than that I would have to pay otherwise they would refuse to deliver the item to me.
Even with this cost the item will still be pretty much the same cost as a UK-sourced item, so I guess there's nothing much lost. It should have been delivered today but I was out, so will probably get it early next week.
Oli.
Even with this cost the item will still be pretty much the same cost as a UK-sourced item, so I guess there's nothing much lost. It should have been delivered today but I was out, so will probably get it early next week.
Oli.
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