Why should I pay this Duty ?

canada16

Hey

I bought a new Rocky Mountain frame which was $300.00 US which is 200.00 pounds.

But this was only for shipping inside canada, and as my dad was coming here next month I asked for it to be deilvered to him and he was going to bring it on the plane as a gift, which I would not pay customs for.

But the shop on ebay, forgot to read the instructions and they are now shipping to me here in the UK, which from what I gather its going to be about 80.00 quid in customs and charges.

The sellers response was, sorry we wont charge you the additional postage as it was our error. :shock: Really shocked, because, if even if the delivery was originally 60.00 quid to here anyway, I still would not have paid, because of the customs, and my dad coming here anyway.

What do you think I should do? I have told the seller to go halfs on the charges, but I imagine he will refuse.

What would you do, refuse delivery and have a stand off with the seller? I have spoke to him on the phone in canada, and he seems nice, but I dont think they will pay for these customs charges, due to their error

Thanks

cooldad

As you were technically diddling the receiver anyway, maybe it's karma.

canada16

How was I didling the seller?

He knew I wanted it to go to my dad because he was coming over here, and I would not pay for customs.

Not sure how you reckon I was trying it on with him?

He knew from the start why I wanted it to go to my dad.

Why would I get something delivered from canada to here, when my dad lives in canada and he comes over twice a year, anyone in my shoes would do the same thing if the found good stuff on ebay.

Also what has customs got to do with the seller. I am not trying to rip him off :?

The Rookie

I suggest you get the seller to recall it or tell him he's paying any duty and VAT incurred due to their negligence in not reading the order details.

I would add that when on holiday in the US I often get stuff sent to my holiday (rental) home to bring back by hand and have never had anyone screw it up.

Simon

cooldad

I said the receiver, not the seller. The receiver of revenue. The taxman. Customs and excise.

cooldad

The Beginner wrote:

I suggest you get the seller to recall it or tell him he's paying any duty and VAT incurred due to their negligence in not reading the order details.

I would add that when on holiday in the US I often get stuff sent to my holiday (rental) home to bring back by hand and have never had anyone screw it up.

Simon

Problem is once it's posted, the recipient is liable for the duty. Otherwise it will just sit in customs until it's paid.
Normally when you pay on Ebay, you fill in the address it has to be sent to - if by Paypal it's part of that transaction. Wonder if the buyer changed their normal address? Otherwise how would the seller have known to send it here?
Or just sent a note.

sheepsteeth

just refuse it when you get the message saying the frame is waiting fro you to collect and pay the duty on, then it will eventually get returned to the seller then get him to send it to your old man as you originally agreed, should all be done by the time your old man comes over either this time or next.

sorted.

cooldad

You reckon it'll get sent back, or just stuffed in the too hard room and eventully auctioned?
It's not like an RTS letter.

canada16

I think I am being more than fair to say I will cover half the customs and he pays the other half.

As I said it was his error not mine, I even went out of my way to call him in canada to say that I needed it shipped to canada, and he said just put the shipping address on the ebay message and will be no problem.

But the guy he works with, never read it, and just went off my paypal address.

But then again I got this frame for 300.00 pounds with customs, still cheap, but not the point.

Uhmm

sheepsteeth

cooldad wrote:

You reckon it'll get sent back, or just stuffed in the too hard room and eventully auctioned?
It's not like an RTS letter.

i absolutely expect the second to happen but was trying to look like i was being helpful.

cooldad

So three options:
a) Seller covers the additional cost.
2) It sits in customs until it returns to aluminium oxide.
iii) You open a dispute with Paypal.

Would suggest a) then iii) or just cough the money.

Obviously your misguided attempt to diddle her majesty out of her rightful revenue means some poor person may not be able to by a new 50" plasma out of their benefits this year.
Shame on you.

ftwizard

Two points:
1) You were trying to avoid customs duty. You bought the frame, in this country, therefore, you are liable to pay the duty when it is imported into this country. Your Dad was the courier, you were the importer. Suck it up.

2) Customs and charges will be around 22%. just over £40. Grow up, pay your bills and stop whining.

£40 to save your old man dragging a bike frame halfway round the world should be money well spent anyway.

cooldad

Plus VAT @ 20%?

ftwizard

No, not +VAT, including.

canada16

40,00 Maybe you should do your maths mate, and dont tell me I am whining you rude little %^^£%

Its 20% vat + 5% plus UPS handling fees ect..

He has just emailed me, and just said to email him when I get the bill.

Is it not bad enough 400.00 of my wages goes to the government, then I got to pay another 25% just to have something delivered.

Thread closed, cant be bothered to listen to rude people ffwizard

nicklouse

import on a frame is 4,7% and then the VAT on the total.

gifts are only for goods under £50.

sheepsteeth

id give both of my nuts if i only paid 400 quid a month on tax

Mr Dog

We pay tax for a reason.. in fact many reasons. If you're not happy then I suggest you reside in the country of your purchase.

cooldad

canada16 wrote:

40,00 Maybe you should do your maths mate, and dont tell me I am whining you rude little %^^£%

Its 20% vat + 5% plus UPS handling fees ect..

He has just emailed me, and just said to email him when I get the bill.

Is it not bad enough 400.00 of my wages goes to the government, then I got to pay another 25% just to have something delivered.

Thread closed, cant be bothered to listen to rude people ffwizard

It is very rude to call forum members %^^£%. I believe %^&!&(%%$ is however acceptable.
And you got to read about Sheep's knackers, so this thread is full of win.

sheepsteeth

cooldad wrote:

Sheep's knacker

this is another acceptable insult.

Pokerface

Mr Dog wrote:

We pay tax for a reason.. in fact many reasons. If you're not happy then I suggest you reside in the country of your purchase.

I can tell you from firsthand experience that Canada is an awesome place to live. 8)

rolf_f

canada16 wrote:

I think I am being more than fair to say I will cover half the customs and he pays the other half.

Not even slightly. You are basically trying to evade import duties by using a means of importing goods into the country which is less likely to be caught for the duty. Whether or not you get stung for the duty, it is still a duty that is meant to be paid. Why should the seller pay out to support your attempts to evade tax?

2.4 Gifts
Goods sent as a gift that are over £40 in value are liable to import VAT. Customs duty also becomes payable if the value of the goods is over £135 but is waived if the amount of duty calculated is less than £9.

To qualify as a gift:

the customs declaration must be completed correctly
the gift must be sent from a private person outside the EU to a private person(s) in this country
there is no commercial or trade element and the gift has not been paid for either directly or indirectly
the gift is of an occasional nature only, for example, for a birthday or anniversary.

ftwizard

canada16 wrote:

Thread closed

I don't think so.

I wonder if anyone from HMRC reads these forums.......

I fail to understand why anyone would think it's perfectly OK to inform the world that they are trying to commit a crime, a crime against the tax payer mind, and then whine like a baby when the replies are less than complimentary.

Mr Dog

Pokerface I'm shocked.. :shock: :shock: :shock: Would you wear their national team colours?
Of course you would have to pay taxes.

pilsburypie

cooldad wrote:

And you got to read about Sheep's knackers

Pics or it didn't happen.

The Rookie

ftwizard wrote:

Two points:
1) You were trying to avoid customs duty. You bought the frame, in this country, therefore, you are liable to pay the duty when it is imported into this country. Your Dad was the courier, you were the importer. Suck it up.
.

Blimey and I've been accused of being an 4r5e for less, the Dad was bringing it in as a gift (the law not defining what a gift actually is last time I checked), entirely legit and below the tax limit and therefor no duty owed.

Suck it up.

Simon

jj1048

Why didn't the OP just get his dad to buy it?

The Rookie

20:20 hindsight is easier than 20:20 foresight!

shx8000

Maybe if stuff wasn't so bloody expensive in this country, we'd not complain so much about import tax.

For example, a bike made in the uk is more expesive to buy than if said bike was crated, shipped to the states, re-assembled and then sold. Think it was the mondraker DH bike I read about in MBA. $5000 dollars in the states, but £5000 in the UK.

I love this country, but it's gone to the dogs. Those of us that work are getting fleeced left, right and centre.

gezzza

But who said that you will pay import?

Ive ordered many things from the US and i would say i only pay import on 40% even though it should be on 100%, if its delivered and they don't ask I'm not going to say.

But you should have added that cost to your bargain as it might happen even with your dad bringing it over.

TowerRider

What a nerve.... trying to blame someone else for your attempt at fraud! You come on here moaning when posters on here probably sell that same bike - a lost sale. Customs is there for a reason.
How do you know you were not going to pay customs? Produce a false receipt / scratch bike?