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BREXIT
Jul 7, 2021 17:24:15 GMT
Post by potet on Jul 7, 2021 17:24:15 GMT
What happened to me recently might be experienced by Continental Europeans ordering books manufactured in the UK. I wanted to present a nephew of mine with 25 copies of a de-luxe postcard showing his estate and the chapel on it. The main building is on the recto, and the chapel on the verso. Both sides being laminated. The UK company manufacturing these cards is MOO. I have patronized MOO for many years, and I have always been very pleased with their productions. With a pack of envelopes and tax, the bill was 28.07€. Now because of the Brexit, starting from the 1st of July 2021, products from the UK are taxed by EU customs. MOO does not resort to the post-office to have its parcel delivered, but to a private company called UPS. It's not a very efficient business because a few months ago they couldn't bring me an order from MOO pretexting my address didn't exist, although I live on a large avenue in the city of 92110 CLICHY, a suburb very close to Paris. This time, UPS sent a bill to my nephew stating that if he wanted to get his parcel, he would have to pay 25€, the sum total of VAT 3€ + Custom duty 7€ + courtage [= brokerage] 15€!!! Sounds like a scam because of the 15€ for their brokerage.  |
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Post by benziger on Jul 7, 2021 19:41:52 GMT
Welcome to the club, potet! This is normal in Switzerland for all items coming from the European Union: VAT + handling fee. Customs duty is not applicable, as Switzerland does not levy import duties. In principle, it works like this: 1. the company from the other world (EU for Switzerland, UK for the EU) sends you the goods without VAT. 2. you pay the VAT on import. Problems:
1. You can't just pay the VAT. As an importer you can. If you have a company that settles the VAT, this should probably also work. Otherwise, the transport company (Post, UPS, DHL, etc.) takes over, but charges a fee for the work. 15 francs/euro seems to be a common rate. If you import goods for x thousand, it's a cinch, if you import goods for a few francs/euro, it's disproportionately high. That's why in Switzerland VAT is only charged when it's 5.00 or more. But even then... 2. Some companies do not send the goods without VAT. So, you pay the VAT twice. 3. The VAT paid at the border is calculated on the good's price and the transportation costs. (If the UK company would had paid the French VAT before sending it would be only for the goods without the shipping.)
Solutions:
The exporting company can settle the VAT directly with the Federal Tax Administration (and most likely with the analogous institution in the EU). Then the transporter has nothing to do. No work, no fees. For companies in the UK, this is now an absolutely new situation: either offer VAT invoicing and customs clearance or lose customers. In Germany, there are companies that offer this for Switzerland. In Germany exist even service providers through whom Swiss people can order in Germany, who then deliver to Switzerland for a lower fee (5.00) VAT paid. As a customer, this means:
1. Watch out!
2. Contact the supplier before ordering. (with original VAT? without VAT? with French VAT? with import taxes?) 3. Inform supplier about new rules, ask, point out consequences, .... I am sorry about the situation for you. In Switzerland, we are used to these adversities and those who regularly deal with foreign countries will find their way. |
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Post by potet on Jul 7, 2021 19:54:32 GMT
Benziger, it's nightmarish!
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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BREXIT
Jul 8, 2021 9:12:50 GMT
via mobile
potet likes this
Post by Deleted on Jul 8, 2021 9:12:50 GMT
What happened to me recently might be experienced by Continental Europeans ordering books manufactured in the UK. I wanted to present a nephew of mine with 25 copies of a de-luxe postcard showing his estate and the chapel on it. The main building is on the recto, and the chapel on the verso. Both sides being laminated. The UK company manufacturing these cards is MOO. I have patronized MOO for many years, and I have always been very pleased with their productions. With a pack of envelopes and tax, the bill was 28.07€. Now because of the Brexit, starting from the 1st of July 2021, products from the UK are taxed EU customs. MOO does not resort to the post-office to have its parcel delivered, but to a private company called UPS. It's not a very efficient business because a few months ago they couldn't bring me an order from MOO pretexting my address didn't exist, although I live on a large avenue in the city of 92110 CLICHY, a suburb very close to Paris. This time, UPS sent a bill to my nephew stating that if he wanted to get his parcel, he would have to pay 25€, the sum total of VAT 3€ + Custom duty 7€ + courtage [= brokerage] 15€!!! Sounds like a scam because of the 15€ for their brokerage. View AttachmentThey asked me for 40, 60 or 80 Euro seven months ago for my two books that I ordered from Amazon.com. I refused and the books were sent back. The trick is order for under 22 Euro I've since learned. |
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BREXIT
Jul 8, 2021 10:36:04 GMT
Post by potet on Jul 8, 2021 10:36:04 GMT
80€! So they levy custom duties from 22€ up. Thanks. Fortunately, all the books I order from Lulu are printed in France.
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Deleted
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BREXIT
Jul 8, 2021 17:12:39 GMT
via mobile
potet likes this
Post by Deleted on Jul 8, 2021 17:12:39 GMT
80€! So they levy custom duties from 22€ up. Thanks. Fortunately, all the books I order from Lulu are printed in France. Yes, a hard lesson. |
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