Seller adds note on Customs charges after sale of computer before delivery
‎01-01-2025 09:45 AM
A Computer was offered with FREE standard shipping. I then paid on 22 December and await delivery.
Today 1 January I notice that that the Sales notice has added this that wasn't there before.
"International shipment of items may be subject to customs processing and additional charges."
The seller is no longer registered and cannot be contacted.
What should I do to avoid unexpected customs duties in a few days time?
What are my legal contractual rights?
David
16 comments
wastingtime101
·1 year agoThe notice was there before; it was not added after the fact. It's even spelled out on the listing page in the shipping section.
terrycece62
·1 year agoYou are responsible for the extra fees your country charges for this item you purchased
Seller has done nothing wrong
Pay the extra fees if you want this item delivered to you
john094
OP1 year agoThanks to all who replied. I appreciate your help.
The issue is not about knowing the level of import charges of customs, it is about how eBay makes known the final price. In my other purchases from abroad into the EU, eBay has added import charges to the final price before I pay. The shipping charges are also mentioned.
Here the final price was given and it was marked free shipping. eBAy determines the final price at this time. Normally this goes smoothly and the goods arrive because eBay has assured tht all the charges including shipping and customs are in the purchase price. (This is different on non-eBay purchases.)
The shipper is responsible for both the transport and the customs import charges.
The final price I paid did not include any extra customs charges. Nor did eBay indicate that customs charges might be added later after I had paid what I thought was the final price.
The goods are still under way. What should be my reaction if the customs if I am asked by EU customs to pay an extra 25 percent to the purchase price?
bonjourami
·1 year agoIf you dont pay them, the item will be returned to the seller.
wastingtime101
·1 year agoIt depends on the shipping service. There are some times with eBay International Shipping (eIS) service when those fees are included upfront and other times they are not. If eIS is the service it's clearly spelled out.
If the seller is shipping direct instead of going through eIS, those fees are never charged upfront and it will show you on the shipping section of the listing.
Ultimately you need to pay the fees if you want the package. If you don't pay the fees and the product is returned to sender, that's equivalent to refusing delivery and you will not be eligible for an eBay Money Back Guarantee refund.
You mentioned the seller is no longer registered. Was the listing removed? I am wondering if whatever's on its way to you is even the computer you ordered.
lacemaker3
·1 year ago@john094,
I would be very concerned about this as well ... I did mention it in my reply on your other thread.
lacemaker3
·1 year agoI explained this in my reply on your other thread. eBay only collects VAT and import charges on items being imported into the EU if the total value of the shipment is 150 EUR or less.
eBay does make this information available when you make the purchase, but how it is displayed depends on what eBay website you are using at the time, because different countries have different requirements on how to display sales tax and VAT.
It may also depend on what shipping service is being used. If the seller uses eBay International Shipping, then the VAT and duties may be included, but other services (such as the post office) then it may not be included. It is shown at checkout. If there was no charge for VAT when you paid, then you have to pay the courier before they will deliver it.
Either way, you always have to pay VAT on imported goods, 21% in Belgium for most goods. Whether you pay at purchase, or when the item is received. You should be aware of this, if you are buying things from outside the EU.
Here's an example of how it is shown on the listing, on eBay.com. This is a laptop with free international shipping to Belgium.
evry1nositswindy
·1 year agoThe seller didn't add them; your country did.
ryry-jj
·1 year agoThis has nothing to do with the fact that that line about international shipments and custom fees was added or not, those custom fees, duties, & taxes are all on you for importing the item. Most of us sellers don't even have any idea what those duties and fees are, just like we don't know what US buyers will be paying in sales tax. Those cost are for the buyers to know beforehand.
janet9988
·1 year agoThe cost of shipping has nothing to do with customs fees.
They are not the same.
You should already know how your country works as far as these fees go.
kensgiftshop
·1 year agoDon't buy items from other countries.
Pay your import taxes.
john094
OP1 year ago‎01-01-2025 09:45 AM
A Computer was offered with FREE standard international shipping. I then paid on 22 December. eBay added no import charges to EU. I await delivery.
Today 1 January I notice that that the Sales notice has added this note that wasn't there before.
"International shipment of items may be subject to customs processing and additional charges."
The seller is no longer registered and cannot be contacted.
What should I do to avoid unexpected customs duties in a few days time?
What are my legal contractual rights? Isn't eBay responsible for import charges at moment of sale?
John
simba6
·1 year agoIt's the buyer that has to know and pay any import fees, duties or taxes. You need to check with customs in your country about any fees or taxes.
Is the seller still on eBay? Does it say no longer a registered user ?
lacemaker3
·1 year ago@john094
If an item is being imported into the EU, eBay will collect VAT and import charges only if the total amount is under 150 EUR (for all delivery addresses except those in France). I would think that a computer might easily be more than that amount.
If the seller is no longer registered, then you may have other things to be concerned about. If the package has not been shipped, or you don't have a tracking number already, I would ask to cancel the transaction.
janet9988
·1 year agoYour contractual rights would be to pay the customs duties you legally owe your country.
No ebay is not responsible for your import charges.
Free shipping does not mean you get out of paying your country's fees.
Shipping costs are not the same thing as your country's customs duties.
You need to read up on your country's laws so you know what to expect to pay before you buy something from another country.
tobaccocardyahoo
·1 year agoFree shipping does not mean duty free and VAT free arrival.
"International shipment of items may be subject to customs processing and additional charges."
is a standard Ebay warning.