Amazon (yet again)
Discussion
Several weeks ago, my mum bought a lego set of off Amazon, as a Christmas present for my daughter. It was taking ages to arrive, so she went back on the site to check the delivery/tracking details. Turns out it was being shipped from Japan, and delivery estimate was rather vague (could be before or after Christmas). A bit peeved, but that was presumably in the item details, although she wouldn't have bought it if she'd realised.
Today she has received a letter (from Parcel Force I think), saying that they've got it, but that there is duty to pay (and of course their flat rate handling charge). Doesn't sound normal for stuff on Amazon, and apparently none of this was clear in the item listing. My mum is just your average 'silver surfer' so she might have missed it unless it was pretty clear on the website.
It's not a 'critical' present, just a random stocking filler, so I've told her to reject it and request a refund from Amazon. Not sure how that'll pan out though.
Today she has received a letter (from Parcel Force I think), saying that they've got it, but that there is duty to pay (and of course their flat rate handling charge). Doesn't sound normal for stuff on Amazon, and apparently none of this was clear in the item listing. My mum is just your average 'silver surfer' so she might have missed it unless it was pretty clear on the website.
It's not a 'critical' present, just a random stocking filler, so I've told her to reject it and request a refund from Amazon. Not sure how that'll pan out though.
Sounds like an Amazon marketplace listing which would have been fairly clear on the listing and checkout process. If it's not clear on the order history might be worth a live chat with Amazon, they're generally helpful, or at least they are when buying items supplied directly by them.
mjb1 said:
Several weeks ago, my mum bought a lego set of off Amazon
Turns out it was being shipped from Japan
Today she has received a letter (from Parcel Force I think), saying that they've got it, but that there is duty to pay (and of course their flat rate handling charge). Doesn't sound normal for stuff on Amazon, and apparently none of this was clear in the item listing.
She's importing from outside the EU. Of course there's import duty and VAT to pay...Turns out it was being shipped from Japan
Today she has received a letter (from Parcel Force I think), saying that they've got it, but that there is duty to pay (and of course their flat rate handling charge). Doesn't sound normal for stuff on Amazon, and apparently none of this was clear in the item listing.
It's not Amazon charging her, it's not the vendor charging her. It's the UK government charging her.
It sounds like an Amazon Marketplace seller. These are third parties who use Amazon as a platform to sell. Some Marketplace sellers will use Amazon's warehouses to hold their products these items will say something like 'Sold by Joe Bloggs Trading, fulfilled by Amazon". Others will hold and sell their own products and it will say something like 'dispatched and sold by John Smith & Co'
TooMany2cvs said:
She's importing from outside the EU. Of course there's import duty and VAT to pay...
It's not Amazon charging her, it's not the vendor charging her. It's the UK government charging her.
Well, obviously, I fully understand that. I've just had a look on Amazon(.co.uk) and if it's the same marketplace seller that I'm looking at, there is nothing in the listing that states the item isn't coming from within the UK (or within EU customs union for that matter). Looks no different to any other market place listing on Amazon.It's not Amazon charging her, it's not the vendor charging her. It's the UK government charging her.
And yes, the biggest part of the charge is the UK carriers handling fee, not actual import duty/VAT.
mjb1 said:
TooMany2cvs said:
She's importing from outside the EU. Of course there's import duty and VAT to pay...
It's not Amazon charging her, it's not the vendor charging her. It's the UK government charging her.
Well, obviously, I fully understand that. I've just had a look on Amazon(.co.uk) and if it's the same marketplace seller that I'm looking at, there is nothing in the listing that states the item isn't coming from within the UK (or within EU customs union for that matter). Looks no different to any other market place listing on Amazon.It's not Amazon charging her, it's not the vendor charging her. It's the UK government charging her.
mjb1 said:
so she went back on the site to check the delivery/tracking details. Turns out it was being shipped from Japan
Got a link for the listing?https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B01J41F49M/ref...
It looks like the only way to tell where it's coming from is to go click on the link that says "25 new" and then it lists all the suppliers and where they are delivering from? The seller name is potentially a clue I suppose, but that isn't necessarily linked to their location. I don't know how she found it in the first place, presumably just by browsing since she wouldn't have searched for it specifically.
It looks like the only way to tell where it's coming from is to go click on the link that says "25 new" and then it lists all the suppliers and where they are delivering from? The seller name is potentially a clue I suppose, but that isn't necessarily linked to their location. I don't know how she found it in the first place, presumably just by browsing since she wouldn't have searched for it specifically.
mjb1 said:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B01J41F49M/ref...
It looks like the only way to tell where it's coming from is to go click on the link that says "25 new" and then it lists all the suppliers and where they are delivering from? The seller name is potentially a clue I suppose, but that isn't necessarily linked to their location. I don't know how she found it in the first place, presumably just by browsing since she wouldn't have searched for it specifically.
Ermm.. except listing says: Dispatched from and sold by JAPAN-SUBCULTURES Christmas delivery not guarantee. It looks like the only way to tell where it's coming from is to go click on the link that says "25 new" and then it lists all the suppliers and where they are delivering from? The seller name is potentially a clue I suppose, but that isn't necessarily linked to their location. I don't know how she found it in the first place, presumably just by browsing since she wouldn't have searched for it specifically.
The 'JAPAN-SUBCULTURES' is a bit of a giveaway no?
Stig said:
Ermm.. except listing says: Dispatched from and sold by JAPAN-SUBCULTURES Christmas delivery not guarantee.
The 'JAPAN-SUBCULTURES' is a bit of a giveaway no?
No. It may be a reasonable assumption, but it's definitely not obvious to me that any import/customs charges may be due.The 'JAPAN-SUBCULTURES' is a bit of a giveaway no?
I'd be miffed were it me, let alone my mother.
See in the middle of the page, at the bottom of the price block, just below where it says expected delivery 11-20 Jan, where it says "Dispatched from and sold by JAPAN-SUBCULTURES Christmas delivery not guarantee"? And how their name is blue? It's blue, because it's a link. It's a link that takes you to a page telling you who the the vendor is.
That page includes...
No, it doesn't say that import duty and VAT may be due - but they're due on EVERYTHING from outside the EU, no matter who supplies them or where they're bought through.
Looking at the product itself...
https://www.amazon.co.uk/LEGO-41230-Super-Batgirl-...
So click on the list of suppliers...
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/offer-listing/B01J41F4...
Half way down the second page is the one your mother's bought it from. Their line includes...
"Dispatched from Japan. Learn more about international shipping."
The "Learn more" link takes you to...
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/help/customer/display....
That page includes...
Amazon said:
Detailed Seller Information
Business Name:Zipangu LLC
Business Type:Limited Liability Company
Trade Register Number:2900-03-004104
Phone number:+81-92-409-1314
Customer Services Address:
Hakataekimae4-24-20, room-302, Hakata-ku
Fukuoka
Fukuoka
812-0011
JP
Business Address:
Hakataekimae4-24-20, room-302, Hakata-ku
Fukuoka
Fukuoka
812-0011
JP
https://www.amazon.co.uk/sp?_encoding=UTF8&asi...Business Name:Zipangu LLC
Business Type:Limited Liability Company
Trade Register Number:2900-03-004104
Phone number:+81-92-409-1314
Customer Services Address:
Hakataekimae4-24-20, room-302, Hakata-ku
Fukuoka
Fukuoka
812-0011
JP
Business Address:
Hakataekimae4-24-20, room-302, Hakata-ku
Fukuoka
Fukuoka
812-0011
JP
No, it doesn't say that import duty and VAT may be due - but they're due on EVERYTHING from outside the EU, no matter who supplies them or where they're bought through.
Looking at the product itself...
https://www.amazon.co.uk/LEGO-41230-Super-Batgirl-...
So click on the list of suppliers...
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/offer-listing/B01J41F4...
Half way down the second page is the one your mother's bought it from. Their line includes...
"Dispatched from Japan. Learn more about international shipping."
The "Learn more" link takes you to...
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/help/customer/display....
Edited by TooMany2cvs on Wednesday 20th December 15:27
Stig said:
Ermm.. except listing says: Dispatched from and sold by JAPAN-SUBCULTURES Christmas delivery not guarantee.
The 'JAPAN-SUBCULTURES' is a bit of a giveaway no?
The 'JAPAN-SUBCULTURES' is a bit of a giveaway no?
mjb1 said:
The seller name is potentially a clue I suppose, but that isn't necessarily linked to their location.
Also, I presume sellers cam change their name at any time? As the "Christmas delivery not guarantee" bit wasn't there until more recently. So it might not have even been called 'Japan-Subcultures' when she ordered.Name is a clue, and it would probably have aroused suspicion to me. But it's not a statement of the items/seller's location and it's not particularly prominent. Presume I could setup as an amazon seller today with pretty much any country name in it that I want?
Amazon deliberately try to make market place items look similar to their own stock, and the whole point of them is that it's a simple and easy online purchase for a fairly common item (and it appears that uk based sellers have the exact product in stock at a similar price/cheaper price, so it isn't some rare collectible set only available on foreign markets).
Most people click on something on Amazon and assume that it's going to be domestically shipped, and that import duty and VAT have already been paid by the importer/distributor. Amazon are complicit in this misrepresentation IMO. And I wonder how much stuff like this slips through the net of customs, to the detriment of UK tax revenue, and legit UK suppliers.
TooMany2cvs said:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/sp?_encoding=UTF8&asi...
No, it doesn't say that import duty and VAT may be due - but they're due on EVERYTHING from outside the EU, no matter who supplies them or where they're bought through.
Prezactly. I can appreciate the furstration, but lesson learned.No, it doesn't say that import duty and VAT may be due - but they're due on EVERYTHING from outside the EU, no matter who supplies them or where they're bought through.
It's for this reason I generally only buy when it's 'Fulfilled by Amazon'. At least you know it's got a fair chance of arriving that way.
TooMany2cvs said:
See in the middle of the page, at the bottom of the price block, just below where it says expected delivery 11-20 Jan, where it says "Dispatched from and sold by JAPAN-SUBCULTURES Christmas delivery not guarantee"? And how their name is blue? It's blue, because it's a link. It's a link that takes you to a page telling you who the the vendor is.
That page includes...
No, it doesn't say that import duty and VAT may be due - but they're due on EVERYTHING from outside the EU, no matter who supplies them or where they're bought through.
Looking at the product itself...
https://www.amazon.co.uk/LEGO-41230-Super-Batgirl-...
So click on the list of suppliers...
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/offer-listing/B01J41F4...
Half way down the second page is the one your mother's bought it from. Their line includes...
"Dispatched from Japan. Learn more about international shipping."
The "Learn more" link takes you to...
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/help/customer/display....
It also says Free Delivery, surely indicating, delivery is free, not subject to additonal costs, I'd be having a wordThat page includes...
Amazon said:
Detailed Seller Information
Business Name:Zipangu LLC
Business Type:Limited Liability Company
Trade Register Number:2900-03-004104
Phone number:+81-92-409-1314
Customer Services Address:
Hakataekimae4-24-20, room-302, Hakata-ku
Fukuoka
Fukuoka
812-0011
JP
Business Address:
Hakataekimae4-24-20, room-302, Hakata-ku
Fukuoka
Fukuoka
812-0011
JP
https://www.amazon.co.uk/sp?_encoding=UTF8&asi...Business Name:Zipangu LLC
Business Type:Limited Liability Company
Trade Register Number:2900-03-004104
Phone number:+81-92-409-1314
Customer Services Address:
Hakataekimae4-24-20, room-302, Hakata-ku
Fukuoka
Fukuoka
812-0011
JP
Business Address:
Hakataekimae4-24-20, room-302, Hakata-ku
Fukuoka
Fukuoka
812-0011
JP
No, it doesn't say that import duty and VAT may be due - but they're due on EVERYTHING from outside the EU, no matter who supplies them or where they're bought through.
Looking at the product itself...
https://www.amazon.co.uk/LEGO-41230-Super-Batgirl-...
So click on the list of suppliers...
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/offer-listing/B01J41F4...
Half way down the second page is the one your mother's bought it from. Their line includes...
"Dispatched from Japan. Learn more about international shipping."
The "Learn more" link takes you to...
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/help/customer/display....
Edited by TooMany2cvs on Wednesday 20th December 15:27
anonymous said:
[redacted]
Delivery is free. Well, included in the price shown.The total the vendor are receiving is the price shown on the listing, which includes delivery. Duty is not charged by the vendor - and varies outside the vendor's control.
If you sell something to somebody in Japan, is it your problem if Japanese customs decide they want to charge duty and VAT?
TooMany2cvs said:
Delivery is free. Well, included in the price shown.
The total the vendor are receiving is the price shown on the listing, which includes delivery. Duty is not charged by the vendor - and varies outside the vendor's control.
If you sell something to somebody in Japan, is it your problem if Japanese customs decide they want to charge duty and VAT?
To be a bit pedantic, the UK carrier is charging £8 admin fee for processing the duty/VAT due, could it be argued that's part of the shipping cost rather than the tax itself?The total the vendor are receiving is the price shown on the listing, which includes delivery. Duty is not charged by the vendor - and varies outside the vendor's control.
If you sell something to somebody in Japan, is it your problem if Japanese customs decide they want to charge duty and VAT?
Also, the VAT/Duty due is apparently £3 odd. Given that the price she paid for the item on Amazon was £38 odd pounds, the VAT alone should be nearly £8. And there should be import duty of 4.7% added on before the VAT. My guess is that the seller has undervalued the item on the customs declaration. What a surprise, how 'helpful' of the seller.
one of the most stupid features Amazon have is the 'gift list'. Sounds great in theory. You send out the list and people can choose various things-all shipped to you. Done deal.
The issues are:
1. The list no longer updates with items purchased(by removing them from the list) or notifying you. Rather, the listing has a small flag deep inside the listing, noting 'this item has been purchased'. It could be missed easily.
2. If there is any issue with delivery, the recipient can not raise a query because they are not Amazons customer.
Just brilliant- you aren't sure who purchased what unless you ask everyone you think might have and if it goes missing the purchaser must raise an issue, usually from a different country!
The issues are:
1. The list no longer updates with items purchased(by removing them from the list) or notifying you. Rather, the listing has a small flag deep inside the listing, noting 'this item has been purchased'. It could be missed easily.
2. If there is any issue with delivery, the recipient can not raise a query because they are not Amazons customer.
Just brilliant- you aren't sure who purchased what unless you ask everyone you think might have and if it goes missing the purchaser must raise an issue, usually from a different country!
mjb1 said:
. Doesn't sound normal for stuff on Amazon, and apparently none of this was clear in the item listing. My mum is just your average 'silver surfer' so she might have missed it unless it was pretty clear on the website.
As usual, PH always go the extra mile to say you should have spotted the address in Japan - some of us are so incredibly wise after the event.I looked at the link and would not have spotted the item was coming from Japan - even though I was looking out for it having been alerted by your post. The 'Free UK Delivery' would have given me cause to think it was from the UK too.
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