Buying books from Japan
Good morning, a question: could someone tell me how customs duties are calculated on a trilogy of books worth about 500 euros? Shouldn't VAT be 4% since it's a published product?
4 comments
Good morning, a question: could someone tell me how customs duties are calculated on a trilogy of books worth about 500 euros? Shouldn't VAT be 4% since it's a published product?
heavenwelkin
·1 year ago500 euros doesn’t mean much and you should be more specific.
For every purchase from outside the EU, eBay collects the relevant taxes up to 150 euros.
So if it’s a listing for 500 euros and/or multiple listings where a single payment of 500 euros is made, eBay no longer handles the VAT collection issue.
Since you’re buying them from Japan, there isn’t even the risk that it’s eBay’s Global Shipping Program, which only applies to the USA and the UK.
So the seller must correctly fill out the relevant customs paperwork.
So you should pay 4% VAT if the seller correctly enters the commodity codes, accurately describes what it is, and maybe have them also note somewhere that these are used books and that in Italy the reduced 4% VAT rate applies, just to be even more reassured.
Kind regards.
epoca
·1 year agoI seem to remember, having bought from Japan and Taiwan, that VAT is charged directly by eBay during the purchase. Then, if you go over the customs value allowance, you’ll have to pay the duties when the package is received, directly to the courier.
marioelegio
·1 year agoOnly up to 150 euros.
Above 150 euros, first the duty must be applied and then VAT on the total (including duty).
For this reason, ebay does not collect VAT for amounts over 150 euros.
In international shipping programs from the UK and US, the seller can use specialized couriers that collect all customs fees in advance. On ebay, these are not provided for shipments from other non-EU countries.
hi
mario
sika700
·1 year agoUnfortunately, eBay doesn’t make any distinction regarding the reduced VAT... so you’ll pay 22%... then it’ll be up to you to get it reimbursed with the invoice left by the courier.
Kind regards.