Anyone from the UK here? Need some advice on UK customs and a leather jacket EBay sale

GHT said:

Agreed, I too am sorry that this has happened to you, it seems a definite case of buyer's remorse. A couple of years back I bought a hat from a trader in San Diego in the US, although it was not on E-Bay.

Like you, I was given a tracking number. Once in the UK Parcelforce took over. Their driver left me a card explaining the amount of tax due. I took the card and the tax payment to the address on the card and they handed over the hat, simple as that.

For what it's worth, if a buyer and vendor want to take the risk, by inscribing the package with the words: "SAMPLES, OF NO INTRINSIC VALUE." you won't be taxed. but remember, the risk is all your's.

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I made it clear multiple times to the buyer through eBay messaging as he had multiple questions up front before he purchased the jacket for insurance purposes the jacket would be declared for the full amount and any duty fees from UK customs were his responsibility, I also pointed out it would be sent EMS tracked and signed for at his end , I won’t ever post anything of any value any other way, it has to be insured for the full amount tracked and signed for otherwise something goes wrong I’m the one left out of pocket, yet after all this I cop abuse, no pleasing some people.


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As I remember, there are options on Ebay which allow the seller to calculate the import-tax and custom in advance for some countries. I am not sure if this option is still available as I rarely see that in the shipping details outside of the UK these days.

There should be courier companies which can declare the parcel for you in advance if you can provide them with the values of your goods. But then again, the seller will have to pay on behalf, which is some what difficult to charge back using the Ebay/PayPal system.

Justhandguns said:

Recently Parcel Force has been hugely inefficiency. I got one parcel sent back to the States last year because it was stuck at the custom without updating the delivery status nor any letter to demand for payment. Eventually I had to ask the seller to resend the item again (on my expenses of course). At that time, the last tracking point was that the parcel had left the country (USA) and on its way to the destination (UK). I believe that RoyalMail/Parcel Force's service is really getting worse and worse.

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My experience certainly bears out my fear that the introduction of privatisation into the services provided by Royal Mail would inevitably lower the quality of service. It's still nowhere near as poor as all the fully-private alternatives, of course, but sadly fast heading that way. It's ironic, given that increased comeptition was supposed to enhance service, but that's the way of the world. I perceive the same thing happened when BT replaced GPO Telephones. don't even get me started on the trains....

The breakdown with Parcelforce can often be at the personal level. I had about seven parcels, sme of the international deiveries go mising once. To be fair to them, they investigated my complaint and reported back to me that a new driver on my route, unable to gain access to the block of flats (because they deliver when I'm at work....), had simply not bothered when he returned to base to file the letters that he was then supposed to sell me, the end result being parcels were being returned to sender. Not had the same problem with them since. Private couriers - when I'm forced to use them (which is whenever I buy an item that I can't get elsewhere where they will use RM deliveries) - I simpyl have to ave deliver to the office, because otherwise I'll never see the item. (The card they are supposed to leave either blows away at the outer door to the block, or isneer left in the first place, and when you query delivery you just get a snotty auto-response and a photo of the front door. Once or twice, I've had private companies, third parties delviering on behalf of the actual seller, fake my signature and pass off as delivered - either the items were stolen or the parcel dumped; both common problems among the pay-per-delivery cowboy outfits.)

GHT said:

For what it's worth, if a buyer and vendor want to take the risk, by inscribing the package with the words: "SAMPLES, OF NO INTRINSIC VALUE." you won't be taxed. but remember, the risk is all your's.

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There is indeed a risk to the seller as if the item goes missing, they can't claim anything on insurance. Technically it's also a criminal offence of tax fraud, though enforcement policy varies on that.

Justhandguns said:

As I remember, there are options on Ebay which allow the seller to calculate the import-tax and custom in advance for some countries. I am not sure if this option is still available as I rarely see that in the shipping details outside of the UK these days.

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I've seen this - I think always with US-based sellers. Very convenient, and you know upront what you're paying.

Edward said:

My experience certainly bears out my fear that the introduction of privatisation into the services provided by Royal Mail would inevitably lower the quality of service. It's still nowhere near as poor as all the fully-private alternatives, of course, but sadly fast heading that way. It's ironic, given that increased comeptition was supposed to enhance service, but that's the way of the world. I perceive the same thing happened when BT replaced GPO Telephones. don't even get me started on the trains....

The breakdown with Parcelforce can often be at the personal level. I had about seven parcels, sme of the international deiveries go mising once. To be fair to them, they investigated my complaint and reported back to me that a new driver on my route, unable to gain access to the block of flats (because they deliver when I'm at work....), had simply not bothered when he returned to base to file the letters that he was then supposed to sell me, the end result being parcels were being returned to sender. Not had the same problem with them since. Private couriers - when I'm forced to use them (which is whenever I buy an item that I can't get elsewhere where they will use RM deliveries) - I simpyl have to ave deliver to the office, because otherwise I'll never see the item. (The card they are supposed to leave either blows away at the outer door to the block, or isneer left in the first place, and when you query delivery you just get a snotty auto-response and a photo of the front door. Once or twice, I've had private companies, third parties delviering on behalf of the actual seller, fake my signature and pass off as delivered - either the items were stolen or the parcel dumped; both common problems among the pay-per-delivery cowboy outfits.)



There is indeed a risk to the seller as if the item goes missing, they can't claim anything on insurance. Technically it's also a criminal offence of tax fraud, though enforcement policy varies on that.



I've seen this - I think always with US-based sellers. Very convenient, and you know upront what you're paying.

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Not only that but in my case it's almost always cheaper than waiting for the item to arrive and get taxed at customs. These days every single item from Japan and most from the US will get taxed. Even stuff that's very small and lightweight with around a $100 value which then I have to pay like 40€ for it.

willyto said:

Not only that but in my case it's almost always cheaper than waiting for the item to arrive and get taxed at customs. These days every single item from Japan and most from the US will get taxed. Even stuff that's very small and lightweight with around a $100 value which then I have to pay like 40€ for it.

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Yes, a lot of stuff used to slip the net that now get targetted.

Edward said:

Yes, a lot of stuff used to slip the net that now get targetted.

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Like I said in some previous threads, since they switched to a barcode scanning system for tracking packages, the chance of being taxed is very high even for small packages and anything under £20 (I think the VAT free limit is between £15-£18?). The most frustrating thing is that you need to pay an extra of around £12 admin fee on top. So if they tax you 20% of a £20 import, that is £2, but on top you need to pay the custom admin charge for £12? I do not mind paying the VAT as things that I buy from overseas are usually not available locally anyway, and VAT is supposed to be the fairest type of tax.... But the admin charge is simply stupid when there is no advance way to declare your import to avoid that. That is pure robbery from RoyalMail/Parcel Force.

This is the link:

https://www.parcelforce.com/help-an...force-worldwide-charge-customs-clearance-fees

Your experience illustrates the reason why anytime I sell anything to anyone on eBay, I specify that my auction is restricted to US sales only. I'm willing to take less money to avoid the anxiety and hassle the OP is currently experiencing. Too many nervous, anxious, and dishonest buyers on eBay. If it were someone I know on this forum, I would have no problem buying or selling. Good luck @Thuggee and hope you get prompt resolution. Difficult enough to go through the process of selling, much less so when dealing with some random situation such as this.

It’s not that if you sell just within the national borders you cannot get scammed.



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I can report the buyer received the jacket & appears happy end of transaction as he’s also left feedback ( fingers crossed) I’ll put this one down to a impatient/nervous buyer, I can fully understand how people don’t want to sell/ship outside of their own country due to these sorts of hassles I did try a Australian only sale 1st up with no interest for many months, even then there were certain countries I won’t ship to.


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Mich486 said:

It’s not that if you sell just within the national borders you cannot get scammed.

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So true, getting spares for my 70 year old classic car can be difficult enough, so I am very wary of scammers. What I have found, although it's by no means fool proof, is to ask a vendor for their bank details. Some baulk at giving that, others recognise the buyer's need for security. There are two companies that give me their bank details, I've traded with, for the six years that I've had the car.

Pleased to hear you've got a happy conclusion mate. It's stress you just don't need!

GHT said:

. What I have found, although it's by no means fool proof, is to ask a vendor for their bank details. Some baulk at giving that, others recognise the buyer's need for security.

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I’m not sure I’d give out my bank account details to someone, that’s one of the reasons I prefer PayPal, less chance of identity theft...

Could you look at using eBay's global shipping program in future when you offer items for sale abroad ? The buyer then has to pay the import duties at the point of purchase so can't have any complaints.

I buy loads of bits for my Harleys from the USA and use either the global shipping program or my USA forwarding address if it is a seller who only ships in the USA

ProteinNerd said:

I’m not sure I’d give out my bank account details to someone, that’s one of the reasons I prefer PayPal, less chance of identity theft...

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Exactly, but when customers pay any bill by direct debit they have to give out their bank details. When I get told that giving me their bank details would compromise their security I ask if their last utility bill had a tear-off perforated paying in slip, and there's a drawn out, "well yes, but."

Glad to hear it got resolved

GHT said:

Exactly, but when customers pay any bill by direct debit they have to give out their bank details. When I get told that giving me their bank details would compromise their security I ask if their last utility bill had a tear-off perforated paying in slip, and there's a drawn out, "well yes, but."

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One thing is to give out your bank details to a public company another is to give them to a complete stranger. That said also with PayPal the buyer will see your full name and address (like you see theirs) so it’s not like PayPal is preventing identity theft.


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Glad it worked out well in the end Thuggee. There’s no painless way to sell on eBay sh1t happens! I’ve had a few hassles with overseas shipping - a US buyer who wanted a full refund for a Sheaffer imperial brass pen she said had ‘plating issues’ - wasn’t happy when I pointed out it was solid brass - not plated - so polish it! Then she complained the case was scratched - I hadn’t included the case in the sale - didn’t mention it, didn’t picture it - as it was scratched - just used it as packaging. In the end I refunded her the tax she’d been charged - I suspect that was the root of her irritation.
I’m wary of eBay GSP as a Lewis Leather jacket was reported as undeliverable as package damaged , in Japan but fortunately was delivered (presumably when the courier damaged the package by opening it and found it didn’t fit). Thai customs demanded tax payment for a Moulton bike after the buyer had already paid and picked up the bike( admin error or scam - I’ll never know) etc etc. I’ve used but I’m wary of the various in house eBay postal services as I’ve read that if the buyer doesn’t pick up the parcel from the drop point then it’s returned the sale is cancelled and the seller is refunded.

Mich486 said:

One thing is to give out your bank details to a public company another is to give them to a complete stranger.

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We are singing off the same hymn sheet. Companies expect customers to give out personal details, but if a customer reciprocates such a request it's seen as compromising security. Public companies probably vet their employees, but there are still those with a sinister agenda.

I have the opposite problem - am eying up a jacket on eBay USA and the 'buy it now' has customs fees attached. I have pals coming to visit from the USA and the only option seems to be my pal buying it on my behalf.........which opens another can of worms, as he and his mrs will be shocked how much I'm prepared to spend on a jacket!

I'm glad to hear that everything worked out for the OP. @Mich486 you are quite correct that one can be scammed even selling within one's national borders too but restricting sales my own country does eliminate one potential aggravation. I think that our Australian brethren have a more difficult time selling almost anything due to a relatively sparse population considering Australia is also a continent as well as a country!