Irish Amazon customers will incur post-Brexit refund costs

AMAZON CUSTOMERS IN Ireland will incur the cost of returning non-defective items to the seller after the Brexit transition period ends next month.

On its .co.uk website, Amazon will continue to pay the cost of returns for items that were defective, damaged or incorrect, but the cost of returning any other product will be borne by the person making the return if they have a delivery. . address in the EU.

The costs could include transportation costs and import or customs fees.

In an email sent to customers tonight, Amazon said the VAT collection could result in a price change at the checkout.

“As you have placed an order on Amazon.co.uk and have selected a delivery address in the EU in the past, we wanted to inform you that as of January 1, 2021, when the Brexit transition period ends, you will see some changes. when you shop at Amazon.co.uk and select an EU delivery address, ”the email read.

Amazon said that “these changes could include VAT (or the regional equivalent, if applicable, which must be paid in the country of delivery, or your package may be subject to duties, taxes and fees” and “the collection of VAT or a estimation of Import Fees (‘Import Fees Deposit’, which may result in a price change at the end of the purchase ”.

“We will continue to accept eligible returns. If the reason for the return is the result of an error (for example, if the item is defective / damaged / incorrect), Amazon will pay the costs incurred for the return. “

“Otherwise, any costs incurred for the return (including transportation costs, as well as associated import or customs fees, where applicable), will be borne by the person returning the merchandise.”

The Brexit transition period will end on January 1, 2021.

Post-Brexit trade talks have been ongoing in recent days, and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and European Commission President Ursula von Der Leyen will meet tomorrow in Brussels to discuss the status of the negotiations.