Item stuck in europe!

[SirDigbyChicken]

I've wanted to upgrade my home workshop for a long time so I can skim cylinder heads and repair my classic garage etc., so back in August I bought a bigger table for my milling machine thinking that it will arrive safely in the UK well before brexit. Well, it arrived at their German warehouse the 1st week of the new year and now they wont send an invoice to a UK address so I can arrange import. Its not an expensive part at 215Euro but it's seems to be caught in the mess good and proper.

I have an uncle in Greece who said I can put the invoice in his name, but I cant imagine that will help import it to the UK

My companies logistics supplier UPS don't seem that helpful in suggesting a solution to this so I've turned to PH hive mind...What are my options?

SDC

[megaphone]

I ordered some WiFi kit from EU in December, they decided to ship it on Jan 4th. It finally arrived 23rd Jan. Got stuck in customs. Supplier charged me VAT but it should have been sent EX Vat, I should have then paid VAT and any fees before delivery. Supplier sucked up the fees as it was their mistake.

It's a mess at the moment as the suppliers and shippers and customs work out what they are meant to be doing. Some of my EU suppliers are not sending to UK for the forceable.

I am not sending anything out to EU until it all calms down. I have a parcel stuck on it's way to NL. All PPW was correct, 3x customs forms and invoices attached to the box etc. It's been over a week so far on what usually takes 3 days.

Ideally you need to get your supplier to treat the item as if they where exporting outside EU, they will need customs forms and copy invoices attached to the item. You may have to pay VAT and any fees to the carrier before delivery

[Ean218]

SirDigbyChicken said:

Well, it arrived at their German warehouse the 1st week of the new year and now they wont send an invoice to a UK address so I can arrange import.

Have they said why? It may be because you don't have an EORI number, but as a private customer you do not need one, they just have to use the reference GBPR.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-trad...

[SirDigbyChicken]

Thanks for the link, I spent ages trying to find a decent reference for the current rules but never found this. I believe that I have a way forward.

SDC

[pincher]

I’ve got some new pants that I ordered from bjornborg.com that have been stuck at the DHL terminal in Gothenburg since 12th Jan awaiting export, so I feel your pain

[megaphone]

SirDigbyChicken said:

Thanks for the link, I spent ages trying to find a decent reference for the current rules but never found this. I believe that I have a way forward.

SDC

Are you sure those are current? They said Dec 24th and mention goods from outside the EU.

[Nickyboy]

SirDigbyChicken said:

I've wanted to upgrade my home workshop for a long time so I can skim cylinder heads and repair my classic garage etc., so back in August I bought a bigger table for my milling machine thinking that it will arrive safely in the UK well before brexit. Well, it arrived at their German warehouse the 1st week of the new year and now they wont send an invoice to a UK address so I can arrange import. Its not an expensive part at 215Euro but it's seems to be caught in the mess good and proper.

I have an uncle in Greece who said I can put the invoice in his name, but I cant imagine that will help import it to the UK

My companies logistics supplier UPS don't seem that helpful in suggesting a solution to this so I've turned to PH hive mind...What are my options?

SDC

What invoice can't they send? The only invoice required would be for customs, this only requires shippers and receivers names etc on.

The whole industry is in a hole, every company does it's invoicing a different way and import/export volumes requiring customs paperwork has increased nearly 100 fold compared to pre Brexit. UPS and other leading carriers are i believe lobbying European parliament to come up with a fast track clearance process that can be used across the board.

[FWIW]

I thought UPS had suspended EU>UK shipments, along with DPD and Schenker. Maybe that’s the problem?

[Nickyboy]

FWIW said:

I thought UPS had suspended EU>UK shipments, along with DPD and Schenker. Maybe that’s the problem?

Nope UPS are operating as normal, just with delays. DHL have suspended cross border shipping until March, DPD stopped temporarily but i think are shipping again now

[matrignano]

Has anyone ordered stuff in the EU before December which arrived after January?

If so, did they get hit with VAT and duties despite the order and contract being pre-Brexit?

Or does the shipping date prevail?

[megaphone]

matrignano said:

Has anyone ordered stuff in the EU before December which arrived after January?

If so, did they get hit with VAT and duties despite the order and contract being pre-Brexit?

Or does the shipping date prevail?

See my post above.

[Fubar1977]

I ordered an item from Germany via UPS last week and it is arriving today.
Still not sure what's happening regarding the VAT on it though.
I assumed I would be contacted by UPS to pay it before they delivered but nothing so far...

[megaphone]

Fubar1977 said:

I ordered an item from Germany via UPS last week and it is arriving today.
Still not sure what's happening regarding the VAT on it though.
I assumed I would be contacted by UPS to pay it before they delivered but nothing so far...

Did you pay VAT on the order? Or did they send it ex vat? What was the value? As far as I can see, anything under 22 Euro is allowed through.

[Fubar1977]

megaphone said:

Fubar1977 said:

I ordered an item from Germany via UPS last week and it is arriving today.
Still not sure what's happening regarding the VAT on it though.
I assumed I would be contacted by UPS to pay it before they delivered but nothing so far...

Did you pay VAT on the order? Or did they send it ex vat? What was the value? As far as I can see, anything under 22 Euro is allowed through.

I paid VAT on the order (In Germany at their VAT rate. Total value was about 70 Euros inc. VAT & Shipping.
It arrived via UPS today with no issue, no VAT or other charges to pay.

There were 3 copies of the invoice attached but nothing else.

I just assumed that UK VAT would also need to be paid as it enters the UK now we've left the EU.
Or have I misunderstood?

Edited by Fubar1977 on Thursday 28th January 01:14

[pincher]

pincher said:

I’ve got some new pants that I ordered from bjornborg.com that have been stuck at the DHL terminal in Gothenburg since 12th Jan awaiting export, so I feel your pain

Good news! My pants are being delivered today


About time too - fed up of wearing these ones back to front and inside out

[megaphone]

Fubar1977 said:

megaphone said:

Fubar1977 said:

I ordered an item from Germany via UPS last week and it is arriving today.
Still not sure what's happening regarding the VAT on it though.
I assumed I would be contacted by UPS to pay it before they delivered but nothing so far...

Did you pay VAT on the order? Or did they send it ex vat? What was the value? As far as I can see, anything under 22 Euro is allowed through.

I paid VAT on the order (In Germany at their VAT rate. Total value was about 70 Euros inc. VAT & Shipping.
It arrived via UPS today with no issue, no VAT or other charges to pay.

There were 3 copies of the invoice attached but nothing else.

I just assumed that UK VAT would also need to be paid as it enters the UK now we've left the EU.
Or have I misunderstood?

Edited by Fubar1977 on Thursday 28th January 01:14

I also read anything under £135 is not subject to VAT on entry. Who knows! I don't even think the carriers, customs or suppliers really know at the moment.

[Gio G]

I suspect before ordering anything in the EU, you want the Incoterms/shipping to be DDP - Duty Delivery Paid by the seller.. I ordered the Mrs some boots as a gift in early Jan, which were coming from Italy and was concerned they would be stuck, however they sent me the invoice via email and was relieved the to see DDP!

G