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After leaving the EU, the British suffer shock after shock, discover on their skin that “independence” pays dearly and see that they have to take much more money out of their pockets for things that were part of their routine.
„I had no idea that I would be charged for deliveries from the EU after Brexit. The additional costs were a bit shockingA young woman used to buying online from producers across Europe told BBC News.
Ellie Huddleston is a 26-year-old Londoner who was hoping to pamper herself with new clothes in January. After looking at the sales, she ordered a coat and blouses from two of her favorite brands in Europe.
Both deliveries were delayed and held up by customs control within a week, he says.
He was then surprised when he received a message from the courier company asking him to pay 58 pounds (65 euros) in customs duties, VAT and additional taxes for his order of 180 pounds (212 euros). In addition, the courier who delivered his second package appeared at his door a few days later with a receipt for an additional payment of 92 euros for the 224-euro coat.
These fees, imposed by new government rules, must be collected by courier companies on behalf of the authorities.
Ellie says she did her math and came to the conclusion that she had to pay too much for some discounted clothing and didn’t pick up the packages. Disappointed, the young woman says that she will no longer order anything from the mainland.
When the UK was part of the EU customs union, goods could move freely without import duties.
Ellie was one of the buyers surprised that these rules have changed since the UK’s official exit from the EU.
Post-Brexit tax
EU retailers shipping packages to the UK must now fill out customs declaration forms. Buyers must also pay customs duties or VAT, depending on the value of the product and where it comes from.
Customs duties are the responsibility of the customer, not the retailer, who often has no idea how high the additional cost might be.
Tax cannot be paid in advance and is only collected after the item arrives in the UK.
Another unlucky customer, Graeme from Manchester, paid £ 300 to buy two pairs of suede winter boots online from Germany.
“I couldn’t find them anywhere in the UK, so I had no choice but to order them from Europe”he told the BBC.
He then received a message from the courier telling him that he had to pay an additional £ 147 before delivery. He paid the fee, but he’s still waiting for the boots to arrive.
Under the new rules, a British citizen who receives a gift from someone in the EU worth more than £ 39 can wake up to an import VAT invoice that is also 20% of the value of the gift.
For goods that cost more than £ 135, customs duties may also apply which can range from 0% to 25% of the value of the product.
Additional fees are usually charged by courier on behalf of the government, customers are requested to pay in advance to collect their package.
Some retailers on the continent have announced that they will no longer deliver to the UK.
Publisher: DC
