Post Brexit .

[oldgit]

Have been asked to courier a secondhand marine reverse gear to Germany. Have to arrange shipping etc and add it to amount buyer has to send to complete purchase.
Will the buyer be liable to pay any import duties, how/when and where will this be collected.
Anybody been involved in this before ?

 

[markc]

Have been asked to courier a secondhand marine reverse gear to Germany. Have to arrange shipping etc and add it to amount buyer has to send to complete purchase.
Will the buyer be liable to pay any import duties, how/when and where will this be collected.
Anybody been involved in this before ?

If you make the correct customs declaration, the carrier can collect the tax from the recipient. I did this the other way round a few weeks ago - bought a heat exchanger for the genny from the US, DHL collected the duty from me online prior to delivery.

 

[Hurricane]

AFAIK, everything transported from the UK into EU is subject to import/VAT

We have been getting away with stuff in our cars by saying that the items are second hand.
I know that everything is liable to import but the Spanish authorities have been very lenient - we just have to be polite.
Of course you cant do this if you are sending it so you will have to do as markc says and make the necessary declarations so that the tax can then be paid locally.

 

[DavidJ]

Taking stuff out via the Eurotunnel on numerous occasions, I’m not aware of any French customs. There is a random UK search but I think that is more focussed on looking for firearms and traces of drugs.
No active border between France and Spain.
I understand though you are looking to send which I believe the VAT is managed by the transport agent

 

[oldgit]

Both both parties are private individuals and the goods are most assuredly. secondhand.
Gearbox is pretty heavy @ 50 Kilos.
TNT are going to handle the entire operation door to door and presumably know what they are doing regards customs declarations etc.
The gearbox is a Volvo Penta MS4 B with the 2:63 ratio, a pretty rare beast.
No interest at all from UK only from EU.
Google Earth a neat way of finding out exactly where something you are selling is off too.

 

[petem]

Both both parties are private individuals and the goods are most assuredly. secondhand.
Gearbox is pretty heavy @ 50 Kilos.
TNT are going to handle the entire operation door to door and presumably know what they are doing regards customs declarations etc.
The gearbox is a Volvo Penta MS4 B with the 2:63 ratio, a pretty rare beast.
No interest at all from UK only from EU.
Google Earth a neat way of finding out exactly where something you are selling is off too.

When you book the TNT delivery you will ned to tell them the info required for customs (commodity code, description of goods, value, etc). There will be VAT to pay, customs duty and a clearance fee. Don't expect this to happen quickly.

I've only got a small lifestyle business but am now reluctant to sell to the EU to the excessive charge an in particular the annoying delays (often many weeks).

 

[Freebee]

we sell small items in the eu quite regularly we do it via royal mail parcels, we have to sort out commodity code which for us is quite easy sign the customs declaration, pay the postage and send it on its way, import taxes are not our responsibility and may have to be paid the other end before the goods are handed over.................... but again all this is not our worry.

 

[Croftie]

We have stopped sending goods to the EU. Things like commodity codes are a nightmare and if you have mixed items more so. I know other businesses that have also done the same.

Likewise, our parts website says UK only but still get the odd EU order, depending on order (if I want to clear old stock etc) I either send RM or refund. Last time the parcel was stuck in German Customs for nearly a month............. Customer wasn't happy, not my fault.

 

[henryf]

Likewise, our parts website says UK only but still get the odd EU order, depending on order (if I want to clear old stock etc) I either send RM or refund. Last time the parcel was stuck in German Customs for nearly a month............. Customer wasn't happy, not my fault.

The only enquiries from the EU are usually people who don't realise there will / may be charges on arrival. Sometimes they reject the delivery as a result and then we’re in a world of pain which usually results in just scrapping the order.

As a nation we are no longer competitive within Europe

 

[ChromeDome]

The only enquiries from the EU are usually people who don't realise there will / may be charges on arrival. Sometimes they reject the delivery as a result and then we’re in a world of pain which usually results in just scrapping the order.

As a nation we are no longer competitive within Europe

The thing is that when searching on Google from over here people tend to include "€" or -site:.uk to avoid results that won't be of use anyway.

The likely hood of people making holidays in the UK (potentially to bring stuff back) seems to be on a steep decline. All the hassle and rumors about customs and waiting for hours simply make people look elsewhere.

Add to that the cost of getting there and - even worse - staying somewhere OK'ish. Cost of public transportation, entrance fees all over and what not.

Even I, who was a regular to UK, see the alternatives as more attractive. This year a Suite with sea view in the Alps, southern Bavaria and close to Munich, Austria etc. If weather fails Italy is just across the mountain chain.

 

[dunedin]

we sell small items in the eu quite regularly we do it via royal mail parcels, we have to sort out commodity code which for us is quite easy sign the customs declaration, pay the postage and send it on its way, import taxes are not our responsibility and may have to be paid the other end before the goods are handed over.................... but again all this is not our worry.

Isn't there a minimum order value below which the supplier needs to charge the customer and pay the VAT etc before shipment?
Pretty sure there is the other way, snd UK adopted same rule. Hence only been able to order larger items from EU (and pay charges and fees to courier). EU suppliers refused to supply cheaper items (below about Eur 100).

 

[petem]

we sell small items in the eu quite regularly we do it via royal mail parcels, we have to sort out commodity code which for us is quite easy sign the customs declaration, pay the postage and send it on its way, import taxes are not our responsibility and may have to be paid the other end before the goods are handed over.................... but again all this is not our worry.

Aren't you embarrassed though that it take weeks for the item to arrive? And that the customer has to pay charges (often unexpected and often unreasonable)?

I want all of my customer to feel like they've had a good service, not a crap one. And if that means suggesting that they buy an item locally then so be it.

 

[petem]

Isn't there a minimum order value below which the supplier needs to charge the customer and pay the VAT etc before shipment?
Pretty sure there is the other way, snd UK adopted same rule. Hence only been able to order larger items from EU (and pay charges and fees to courier). EU suppliers refused to supply cheaper items (below about Eur 100).

No, the customer always has to pay the vat/duties. Their used to be a minimum threshold but that's been abolished. It's appalling.

 

[DAW]

I'll say in advance that I am not a fan of `Brexit and think the UK has lost much more than it gained, but I do think it is important to be objective ...

As someone who has been based in the EU since before Brexit, my experience is actually quite different to that mentioned above. I buy lots of stuff online from UK retailers and also obtain boat parts from suppliers based in the UK and as a consumer/customer I don't really experience any more problems than I did pre-Brexit.

Most of the big UK-based retailers that were actively supplying Europe pre-Brexit have continued to do so and resolved any procedural difficulties within the first few months. From the customer perspective the process is seamless, with VAT and duty taken care off by the retailer and few if any delays in shipment.

Even where VAT or duties have to be paid by the customer, the big courier companies are all geared up to handle this. You receive an email notification and pay the VAT/duty by credit card online. The goods are often delivered within hours of payment so must already be in transit and in some cases even out for delivery. The idea that items are held up in customs by the authorities at either end for days or weeks, or that there are surprising and excessive duties to be paid in order to secure the release of your goods, is not my experience. In most cases, the only "duty" is VAT and this can be paid either by importer or exporter depending on how the transaction is documented.

As an example, just last week my boat was out of the water and needed parts urgently from several suppliers in the UK. Everything arrived within 24-48 hours of ordering, there were no delays in shipping and no VAT or duty to be paid by me. I can tell you from experience that ordering from the UK is still much easier and delivery more predictable than trying to source items from within France or Italy.

As I said at the start, I'm not a fan of Brexit and maybe the situation is much more difficult for those shipping on an ad-hoc basis B2B or not familiar with the procedures. However, as with most things, if you accept the status quo and go with the flow, life is generally much less stressful.

 

[Freebee]

Aren't you embarrassed though that it take weeks for the item to arrive? And that the customer has to pay charges (often unexpected and often unreasonable)?

I want all of my customer to feel like they've had a good service, not a crap one. And if that means suggesting that they buy an item locally then so be it.

I am not embarrassed by any of our overseas sales the couriers we choose do not take weeks, we supply tracking numbers and can watch the deliveries, I suppose the longest deliveries are the furthest away which is not surprising but none take "weeks".

I think import duties are usually a fixed amount based on the value we subscribe, we did have one complaint from an italian who wanted us to describe the item as a gift rather than put the purchase price but as a business owner I feel I must be truthful.

if people from foreign countries want to buy from us I have no problem............ except when the weight of the item is high and courier changes and transit costs exceed the purchase price then I think the buyer is being silly and advise them as such but if they want to go ahead its up to them .........and it does happen!

 

[petem]

I am not embarrassed by any of our overseas sales the couriers we choose do not take weeks, we supply tracking numbers and can watch the deliveries, I suppose the longest deliveries are the furthest away which is not surprising but none take "weeks".

I think import duties are usually a fixed amount based on the value we subscribe, we did have one complaint from an italian who wanted us to describe the item as a gift rather than put the purchase price but as a business owner I feel I must be truthful.

if people from foreign countries want to buy from us I have no problem............ except when the weight of the item is high and courier changes and transit costs exceed the purchase price then I think the buyer is being silly and advise them as such but if they want to go ahead its up to them .........and it does happen!

You did say that you use Royal Mail!

Just in case anyone thinks I'm exaggerating, this is a small parcel that my customer is currently waiting for.

In my experience it could be another 10 days before it is delivered (i.e. weeks). And before anyone asks, there is no additional information on the delivery partner's website.

 

[Freebee]

We use Royal Mail and sometimes Evri International - I say I am satisfied you, say you are embarrassed Tomaito Tomato .

My example Item delivered to Royal Mail 4th May arrives North Reading USA mon 15th May - 11 days in transit I think that's good -but there will be exceptions to that I agree

 

[DAW]

FWIW my experience of international deliveries involving Royal Mail, La Poste and many of the other former national postal services has never been particularly good ... but it has not got any better or worse since Brexit. I have my post forwarded from the UK and it can take anything from 3-4 days to 3-4 weeks, with no apparent reason for the variability and no indication as to whether the delays are in the UK or France. Delivery dates for shipments involving Royal Mail, La Poste, etc. have always been highly indicative. In contrast, UPS, Fedex, DHL and others don't seem to have the same problems and are more reliable, which suggests to me that Brexit is not the main reason for the variable service.

 

[Portofino]

Like DAW I have noticed no difference.
Buying from U.K. , Italy , Germany and delivery in CH , U.K. or IT …..I agree with DAWs post #25 .= Better if possible avoid ex national carriers like Royal Mail .
Also been importing stuff from USA , car parts and motorcycle parts to the U.K. .Although out side the B arguments nothing new there .

The only time I trod on a banana skin was in haste ordering engine oil for the boat from Germany to del in CH , ( to drive down the IT ) .Yep DHL , but as mark said there was an email from the border in Basel centre requesting tax / duty payment ….import into CH before they delivered it .I thought it was a supplier in the German part of CH , not D itself.
With that added on and the extra delay for processing the oil cost a lot more and was no longer a bargain .
Plus I might have run a risk at the IT border carrying 72 L explaining to the customs guy it was for the car s top up !
I took the docs ream’s of paperwork in case but was never challenged.

I now buy oil locally in Italy from the ship yard = lesson learned .
It works out cheaper as it happens and I don’t have to cart it they drop it off at the boat .

Sometimes you can over think it and when possible Best Buy locally is my mantra .

 

[oldgit]

To much faffing and buyer is now thinking about collecting.