Buying from EU (Germany) - VAT & Customs paid by seller?

Haggisman · 7 Oct 2022 at 14:01

I'm looking at purchasing something for just over £400 from a site based in the EU (Germany). Their listing for the item states "incl. Taxes and Customs duties", so does this mean the price it's listed for is all I have to pay and there will be no additional fees when it gets here? While you'd think this was obvious, I wasn't aware sellers could pay these fees, and it wouldn't surprise me if there was some additional paperwork or whatever nonsense thanks to the unmentionable "B" word.

Anyone order stuff from the EU regularly who can advise?

Thanks!

Maccy · 7 Oct 2022 at 14:03

I think the obvious thing to do would be contact them and ask?

I sometimes order from outside the UK and it's a complete lottery whether items get stopped for customs charges or not.

Haggisman · 7 Oct 2022 at 14:12

Maccy said:
I think the obvious thing to do would be contact them and ask?

That would make far too much sense...

I've already emailed them with a query about the item, so I'll see what they say when they come back to me on that

benjii · 7 Oct 2022 at 14:14

Works the same when ordering from places like Aliexpress. To stick to new rules, they just tack on taxes and fees at the point of sale so it clears customs and comes straight to your door.

Haggisman · 7 Oct 2022 at 14:52

benjii said:
Works the same when ordering from places like Aliexpress. To stick to new rules, they just tack on taxes and fees at the point of sale so it clears customs and comes straight to your door.

Cool, that sounds hopeful then, they haven't replied to my message yet though >_<

jpaul · 7 Oct 2022 at 15:17

maybe find out which carrier they use, to double check, with them, that there is no handling charge.
( amazon shows delivery prices to the UK , but I've never simulated a checkout to see how they itemise the costs , item photos thread has had amazon de purchases)

Surveyor · 7 Oct 2022 at 15:18

Haggisman said:
Cool, that sounds hopeful then, they haven't replied to my message yet though >_<

It only applies to consignments up to £135. Over that and import VAT etc. is payable when the goods arrive in the UK.

Which website are you ordering from?

Haggisman · 7 Oct 2022 at 15:23

It's https://www.musik-produktiv.com/

Efour · 7 Oct 2022 at 15:27

Yeah there's a limit and it's just over a hundred quid. Someone says 155. Sounds right.

I got stung for import tax recently on a suit i bought from UK.

150 euros extra Inc fees and extra BS.

Be careful I wasn't aware it was so low.

I know it's other way around but guess it's same value export/import

Surveyor · 7 Oct 2022 at 15:34

Haggisman said:
It's https://www.musik-produktiv.com/

They do say everything is included but I don't know how they can do that if the consignment is over £135 and they're shipping from Germany.

For shipments to countries outside the European Union (EU) - except Switzerland and Great Britain - there are further costs. Customs, taxation and customs clearance fees are not included in the shipping and are not influenced by us. They are collected separately by the consignor. In Switzerland and Great Britain, customs duties and taxes are included in the freight charges.

Journey · 7 Oct 2022 at 15:38

Haggisman said:
It's https://www.musik-produktiv.com/

Bought a Boss Katana 100 MkII last December from them, and it was delivered with all fees paid upfront, no hassle at the door.

sigma · 7 Oct 2022 at 15:40

Buy British (English!) :mad:

something, something, red tape!

Haggisman · 7 Oct 2022 at 15:53

Journey said:
Bought a Boss Katana 100 MkII last December from them, and it was delivered with all fees paid upfront, no hassle at the door.

Excellent, I'll confirm with them to make sure anyway, but does sound positive, as that's above the threshold mentioned above.

Surveyor said:
They do say everything is included but I don't know how they can do that if the consignment is over £135 and they're shipping from Germany.

That does specifically refer to GB when saying it's included in the freight charges.

If I change to a non-EU country it does drop the price by ~€70 and states plus shipping and customs

sigma said:
Buy British (English!) something, something, red tape!

If you can find me somewhere to buy the specific synth I'm after but made in England then go for it

sigma · 7 Oct 2022 at 15:57

Haggisman said:
Excellent, I'll confirm with them to make sure anyway, but does sound positive, as that's above the threshold mentioned above.

That does specifically refer to GB when saying it's included in the freight charges.

If I change to a non-EU country it does drop the price by ~€70 and states plus shipping and customs

If you can find me somewhere to buy the specific synth I'm after but made in England then go for it

Easy https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/363994976766

Surveyor · 7 Oct 2022 at 15:59

Haggisman said:
That does specifically refer to GB when saying it's included in the freight charges.

If I change to a non-EU country it does drop the price by ~€70 and states plus shipping and customs

It does, but UK VAT rules don't allow them to do that for consignments over £135. It'll be interesting if they explain how they're doing it.

Haggisman · 7 Oct 2022 at 16:03

sigma said:
Easy https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/363994976766

Edit: just had a listen of that, my god it's awful

Journey · 7 Oct 2022 at 16:05

Surveyor said:
It does, but UK VAT rules don't allow them to do that for consignments over £135. It'll be interesting if they explain how they're doing it.

By using an intermediate consignee and picking up the bill themselves, the same way as Amazon EU if you buy from .de .es .it. or .fr