Ebay , tax

[li150ss]

Hi , wonder if anyone can advise me here. Ordered a item from China on fleabay about a week ago. Email today asking saying it was posted but to continue they need a tax number. No idea what this is. I have bought a couple of different items from a different seller a couple of months ago from China and no problem , in fact i was surprised how quickly they arrived. Advice appreciated please.

 

[Mark 5]

Hi , wonder if anyone can advise me here. Ordered a item from China on fleabay about a week ago. Email today asking saying it was posted but to continue they need a tax number. No idea what this is. I have bought a couple of different items from a different seller a couple of months ago from China and no problem , in fact i was surprised how quickly they arrived. Advice appreciated please.

It could be a scam but not sure how it would work.

If the oeder was over £134.00 then you will be asked to pay any shipping and VAT but not a tax number.

Even if that was the case in almost all circumstances these details would be asked for and any taxes paid up front as part of your purchase, via eBay.

The same goes for Ali,Temu and many others.

Sellers say they've posted it and now asking you for more details---hmmm, have to wonder if you will now get your purchase or seller wants to withdraw from sale but save face by asking a stupid question and you get your eBay refund.

Of course its possible the seller may be a little confused as to what's required their end.

Speak to eBay, doesn't sound, something not right.

I am assuming of course what with recent world spats and hand bags swinging, nothing has changed the above.

 

[li150ss]

Just managed to speak to someone on ebay , they checked details etc and said it looks like it was posted earlier and dont know what the email means , but they have marked it and keep a watch on it and will keep me updated. If it doesn't arrive by date stated they will refund me. Chap i spoke to was surprisingly helpful.

 

[RichardM]

If you bought it through eBay then I believe all import duties / taxes are now calculated and paid at time of purchase via eBay.

 

[CompoSimmonite]

I bought some Vespa wheels (7 !) off eBay and had to pay the UK tax before they would be shipped - part of a reciprocal agreement between UK and India.

 

[m_c]

If you bought it through eBay then I believe all import duties / taxes are now calculated and paid at time of purchase via eBay.

Online marketplaces only legally need to collect VAT for goods up to the value of the Import Duty threshold (currently £135 IIRC).
Above that price, they can collect VAT and import duty, but it is entirely optional for them to do so.

However for a personal purchase, I wouldn't be expecting to need to supply any number.
If it was a commercial import, you might be asked to provide an EORI number, but I've only ever been asked to supply that for high value imports.

 

[Erie Fred]

Yes, Ebay, and now Aliexpress (and Alibaba) collect sales etc. taxes unless you submit
your tax forms.