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Post Brexit import experiences

Brettafett

One Too Many
Messages
1,343
Location
UK
US to UK = HELL! Fire. Brimstone. Tears.
EU to UK = Not great, but manageable
China to UK = No drama
 

Edward

Bartender
Messages
25,074
Location
London, UK
I can't comment no how things are working right now for UK to EU, but for the other way around the British government has recently indicated it will be pushing further back the introduction of the customs checks on good from the EU entering the UK. That said, a few months ago I had to pay a duty on an item shipped from France for the first time, so it all seems a bit up in the air right now.
 

Al 916

One Too Many
Messages
1,906
Location
GB
I bought a watch from Germany pre Brexit. Needed some warranty repair and post brexit it was sent back.
UPS (manufacturers courier) insisted to them and to me that duty and VAT needed paying on the re-entry.
After me refusing three times the German watch co picked up the bill.

Pretty daft
 

nattevagten

A-List Customer
Messages
326
well, the „6 weeks“ till arrival of the new website for the EU market I was told by Holly in spring this year must be over pretty soon!

Yeah, I was told it's coming in June, but it's September already. I wonder what's taking so long.

Has anyway from the EU sent something to Aero for repairs after Brexit? Can't imagine paying VAT or import fees for this...
 

Marc mndt

I'll Lock Up
Messages
7,304
Has anyway from the EU sent something to Aero for repairs after Brexit? Can't imagine paying VAT or import fees for this...

I sent my FL jacket for repairs to Schotland, had to pay VAT plus handling fees when it came back into the country.

Greg contacted the carrier (DHL) to explain to them it was a repair and therefore it shouldn't be taxed. DHL told him it doesn't matter whether repair or not, VAT needs to be payed.

Brexit sucks big time.
 

Imuricecreamman

One Too Many
Messages
1,593
I sent my FL jacket for repairs to Schotland, had to pay VAT plus handling fees when it came back into the country.

Greg contacted the carrier (DHL) to explain to them it was a repair and therefore it shouldn't be taxed. DHL told him it doesn't matter whether repair or not, VAT needs to be payed.

Brexit sucks big time.
VAT on what? The full purchaseprice? That is absurd.
 

Riu

Practically Family
Messages
703
Location
UK
I sent my FL jacket for repairs to Schotland, had to pay VAT plus handling fees when it came back into the country.

Greg contacted the carrier (DHL) to explain to them it was a repair and therefore it shouldn't be taxed. DHL told him it doesn't matter whether repair or not, VAT needs to be payed.

Brexit sucks big time.

That is ridiculous! It's crazy where all this is going really, I've heard that people are still unsure about many things even now, therefore they apply VAT to pretty much everything.
 

Imuricecreamman

One Too Many
Messages
1,593
That is ridiculous! It's crazy where all this is going really, I've heard that people are still unsure about many things even now, therefore they apply VAT to pretty much everything.
They really didn't think this through. THis must have a big impact on a lot of businesses.
 
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jacketjunkie

Call Me a Cab
Messages
2,318
Location
Germany
In Germany, if you send an item outside out the EU for repairs, you can contact the customs department and initiate a process that will make sure that upon re-entry into Germany, you don‘t have to pay customs and tax on the items value but only for the alteration/repair costs. Anything else makes no sense, so I would be very surprised if other countries did not have similar legislation.
 

Rich22

Practically Family
Messages
595
Location
G.B.
In Germany, if you send an item outside out the EU for repairs, you can contact the customs department and initiate a process that will make sure that upon re-entry into Germany, you don‘t have to pay customs and tax on the items value but only for the alteration/repair costs. Anything else makes no sense, so I would be very surprised if other countries did not have similar legislation.
That would make sense, but then again, tax laws often make no sense.

By the way, it seems hit and miss whether UK customs will charge imports or not lately. I play a sport called padel (Spanish tennis) and my friends often shop from a Spanish store. All orders should attract fees as the value is over £135, but at least half slip through.
 
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Marc mndt

I'll Lock Up
Messages
7,304
In Germany, if you send an item outside out the EU for repairs, you can contact the customs department and initiate a process that will make sure that upon re-entry into Germany, you don‘t have to pay customs and tax on the items value but only for the alteration/repair costs. Anything else makes no sense, so I would be very surprised if other countries did not have similar legislation.
You're right and that's how it should be. But it looks like the carriers are reluctant to play along and rather play dumb. Which isn't all that surprising, for each transaction DHL charges €17 handling fees. Looks like DHL saw Brexit as a great opportunity to make some extra bucks.

1F2663FA-B7A9-4F99-BDA7-B1D9EADBD81B.jpeg
 

Rich22

Practically Family
Messages
595
Location
G.B.
Posting a leather jacket (insured) around the UK is also more expensive than you'd think it should be- a round trip would be nearly £60 using Royal Mail, and I can't see any cheaper alternatives? Anyone got any clever suggestions?
 

Al 916

One Too Many
Messages
1,906
Location
GB
You're right and that's how it should be. But it looks like the carriers are reluctant to play along and rather play dumb. Which isn't all that surprising, for each transaction DHL charges €17 handling fees. Looks like DHL saw Brexit as a great opportunity to make some extra bucks.

View attachment 363033

Pretty much the same with that watch and DHL. DHL collect the fee (or make up one)
 

Rich22

Practically Family
Messages
595
Location
G.B.
I think if foreign parcels end up in Britain, and aren't entering the Royal Mail system, when dealing with customs the delivery firm get to set their own admin fee. Doesn't one of them charge over £30 for that service? A standard unregulated scam. Pathetic that the system is set up like it is, to try to deter anyone importing anything.
 

Mich486

One Too Many
Messages
1,690
Posting a leather jacket (insured) around the UK is also more expensive than you'd think it should be- a round trip would be nearly £60 using Royal Mail, and I can't see any cheaper alternatives? Anyone got any clever suggestions?

Over 2kg fully insured (say £500)? I don’t think you can do much better than that.

I find that sometimes Parcel Force (still RM group) is marginally more convenient than RM but not a big difference.

It makes a difference of course if you don’t insure and you are ok to gamble a little. It’s damn expensive to ship around leather jackets and boots!
 

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