Official worldwide thread - Tips/Advice for customs, VAT, etc...

[Melissa Ann]

no tax return in NY, but I heard you may get tax back in some states. anyone knows how?

You can't get the tax back at all in any state. Sorry. THe only way to get it back would be to show that you paid the "use" tax in your own state for the item, which is not possible if you are outside the states.

This is a common misconception for visitors who are used to VAT systems. In the US, the tax is very low (high for our standards, low for most VAT) because it is not a VAT, but a tax on consumption that funds local towns and schools. If you buy it here, you pay the tax. Some stores offer to ship without the tax though.

Macys and Saks I think have a program if you show your passport and your entry immigration form, they give you a discount.

 

[lightdays]

Anybody here ever had to pay them when they ship a bag to you from Japan or Hong Kong? Just curious for future reference because I see a lot of authentic bags pop-up from eBay that are from Asia. Thanks in advance for any info.

 

[Melissa Ann]

Anybody here ever had to pay them when they ship a bag to you from Japan or Hong Kong? Just curious for future reference because I see a lot of authentic bags pop-up from eBay that are from Asia. Thanks in advance for any info.

I think it depends on how they ship. If it comes through the PO, then usually they don't bother collecting duties. If it goes through Fedex, DHL, etc, then they do charge, AND they charge a fee to collect it, which is quite high.

 

[Keiley]

Btw, when you order from China guys...do they tend to mark the price on the package lower than it is? In order to avoid paying VAT.

 

[sadajie]

Hello.Newbie here. Need to seek all your advice. Just came back from Heathrow airport yesterday with all my ' Bags War Trophies'. Unfortunately, after queing for 2hours at the tax refund counter, it still doesnt reach my turn n the flight is departing soon. So didnt manage to get the custom stamp. I have all the tax rebate forms and envelopes, just without the custom stamps. Can i still claim for the tax rebates? Anyone encounter this before? thk thanks.

 

[Eddie Runner]

Yes I think it is a good idea, it always becomes a big issue when we are purchasing things from outside country.

 

[purse_snatcher]

where are you going in Europe - I've attached a link with the rates

Also remember to claim back at airport and keep all receipts

http://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/taxation/vat/how_vat_works/rates/index_en.htm

Nice link!

 

[fbj3936]

Hi,

I apologize if I am posting in the wrong forum, but I am very confused. I have never purchased anything off eBay from overseas before. I am in the USA and the seller is in the UK.

Will I have to pay tax or VAT or luxury something or other if my purchase is around $650 dollars? Is this something the seller can inform me of prior to me purchasing on eBay?

I tried looking this info up online, using a tax/duty calculator and simply cannot figure this out. I see many calculators for the UK, but none for the US.

Thanks for help in advance.

 

[peaceonearth]

Hi,

I apologize if I am posting in the wrong forum, but I am very confused. I have never purchased anything off eBay from overseas before. I am in the USA and the seller is in the UK.

Will I have to pay tax or VAT or luxury something or other if my purchase is around $650 dollars? Is this something the seller can inform me of prior to me purchasing on eBay?

I tried looking this info up online, using a tax/duty calculator and simply cannot figure this out. I see many calculators for the UK, but none for the US.

Thanks for help in advance.

if you are in USA i don't think you will pay tax , it's a random thing but mostly you wont
if you mean you r in UK then here is what i know of

Custom duty is waved for less than £135 (goods value + transport fee)but 30% if not.
Import VAT 20% is payable if the goods value + transport fee exceed £40.

 

[noshoepolish]

If you are here in Georgia, you never know when customs will hit you. Be prepared to pay it. And also be prepared to pay a brokerage fee depending on method of shipping.

 

[nawth21]

We do have to pay import duties on some items, but I believe it's a higher $ amount. Like 1K. Years back when I bought Chloes from overseas it was about a 10% tax.


The brokerage fees you pay are separate, if it comes by private courier like UPS. That's for clearing customs through a different route than US mail

 

[wulie]

E-bay's rules are that it is the buyer's responsibility to cover any import taxes or duties, so I wouldn't expect a seller in another country to be able to advise you.....
Hopefully someone will be able to point you towards a reliable online source for this information - it seems to be a bit pot luck whether or not folk get charged!

 

[shinymagpie]

Hi,

I apologize if I am posting in the wrong forum, but I am very confused. I have never purchased anything off eBay from overseas before. I am in the USA and the seller is in the UK.

Will I have to pay tax or VAT or luxury something or other if my purchase is around $650 dollars? Is this something the seller can inform me of prior to me purchasing on eBay?

I tried looking this info up online, using a tax/duty calculator and simply cannot figure this out. I see many calculators for the UK, but none for the US.

Thanks for help in advance.

Search under US Border Protection Internet Purchases. There is a section in there on buyer responsibilities re postage.

 

[NANI1972]

What method of shipping is the seller using? If they use the UK postal system (Royal Mail) it will transfer to the USPS once it hits the states. You will very unlikely have to pay any duties then. If the seller has not sent the package yet I would request that they send it this way.

 

[noshoepolish]

I had to pay customs on an $800 item coming USPS from Germany.

I had to pay customs and brokerage on an $800 item coming from Italy (I think it was DHL back then).