Seller adds note on Customs charges after sale of computer before delivery

[john094]

‎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

[john094]

‎01-01-2025 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

[kensgiftshop]

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@john094 wrote:

‎

What should I do to avoid unexpected customs duties in a few days time? 

What are my legal contractual rights?

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Don't buy items from other countries.

Pay your import taxes.

[simba6]

It'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 ?

[janet9988]

The 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.

[lacemaker3]

@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.

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https://www.ebay.co.uk/help/listings/default/vat-obligations-eu?id=4650#section8

When eBay will collect and remit EU VAT

1. eBay is obliged to collect VAT on goods sold through eBay to EU customers in the following circumstances:
   • Goods imported into the EU with a parcel value of up to EUR 150. For shipments into France, eBay collects VAT on all goods, regardless of parcel value. Note that there is no longer a VAT exemption for small consignments up to EUR 22
   • ...

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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.

[ryry-jj]

This 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.

[evry1nositswindy]

The seller didn't add them; your country did.

[janet9988]

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@john094 wrote:

‎01-01-2025 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

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Your 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]

Free 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.

[john094]

Thanks 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]

If you dont pay them, the item will be returned to the seller.

[terrycece62]

You 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

[wastingtime101]

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@john094 wrote:

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."

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The notice was there before; it was not added after the fact. It's even spelled out on the listing page in the shipping section.

[wastingtime101]

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@john094 wrote:

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.)

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It 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.