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Import Fees !!!

  • 4margins
    4margins 100% (16625x)

    142 messaggi

    Regno Unito

    I have just paid an invoice for 4 small lots from one of my regular sellers in France which contains the following details:-

    Stamps 8.65
    Platform Fees 2.08
    Import Fees 1.73
    Admin Fees 0.43
    Postage 2.25
    ---------
    Total 15.14

    Whilst I have been prepared to tolerate the burden of Delcampe's "Platform Fees", this is the first time I have experienced these new charges for "Import Fees" and "Admin Fees".
    Delcampe is NOT a tax collector and should not be making these additional charges for which buyers are not liable.
    My understanding is that only on shipments OVER £135 is a 5% VAT levy payable by buyers importing stamps from Europe. This is clearly not the case in this instance. The option to pay any charges on receipt, has also disappeared from the interface.
    What the hell is going on?
  • plshakes
    plshakes 100% (21851x)

    23 messaggi

    Regno Unito

    I don't like it either but...

    VAT Rules by Stamp Type & Value

    Foreign or Used Stamps (Collectors): All used stamps and foreign stamps (even if valid for postage abroad) are taxable at the standard 20% VAT rate.

    Unused UK/Isle of Man Stamps: If you buy unused UK stamps from an EU supplier, they are generally exempt from VAT.

    Consignment Value £135 or Less: If you buy stamps from an EU business and the total order value is £135 or less, VAT is typically charged at the point of sale (the website) rather than at the border.

    Consignment Value Over £135: If the total value exceeds £135, you will pay Import VAT (20%) plus potential courier handling fees (e.g., £8–£12 from Royal Mail) upon arrival in the UK

    What is especially annoying is that Delcampe then charges the buyer an additional 5% of the VAT as an "admin fee"
  • Borucha
    Borucha 100% (18x)

    2 messaggi

    Regno Unito

    I don't like it either but...

    VAT Rules by Stamp Type & Value

    Foreign or Used Stamps (Collectors): All used stamps and foreign stamps (even if valid for postage abroad) are taxable at the standard 20% VAT rate.

    Unused UK/Isle of Man Stamps: If you buy unused UK stamps from an EU supplier, they are generally exempt from VAT.

    Consignment Value £135 or Less: If you buy stamps from an EU business and the total order value is £135 or less, VAT is typically charged at the point of sale (the website) rather than at the border.

    Consignment Value Over £135: If the total value exceeds £135, you will pay Import VAT (20%) plus potential courier handling fees (e.g., £8–£12 from Royal Mail) upon arrival in the UK

    What is especially annoying is that Delcampe then charges the buyer an additional 5% of the VAT as an "admin fee"
    I wanted to buy some unused uk machine stamps from a Dutch based personal seller where the total purchase is below £135 but the cart is telling me I have to pay import fees which based on what you’ve written isn’t correct
    I’m also unaware as you state that non uk and hence not postally valid stamps in uk are now subject to 20% vat irrespective of amount when purchased from overseas - I’m not sure this is correct as I’d expect the same£135 limit to apply
  • plshakes
    plshakes 100% (21851x)

    23 messaggi

    Regno Unito

    I wanted to buy some unused uk machine stamps from a Dutch based personal seller where the total purchase is below £135 but the cart is telling me I have to pay import fees which based on what you’ve written isn’t correct
    I’m also unaware as you state that non uk and hence not postally valid stamps in uk are now subject to 20% vat irrespective of amount when purchased from overseas - I’m not sure this is correct as I’d expect the same£135 limit to apply
    As far as I can work out you shouldn't have been charged VAT when buying UK stamps.
    Also as far as I can work out for amounts below 135 Euros Delcampe collects the VAT (and charges 5% for their "trouble".
    If the amount is more than 135 Euros you pay the VAT as import duty, usually payable to the Royal Mail, who charge around a tenner for their "trouble".
    I may be totally wrong but that's my interpretation of the rules, although HMRC guidance is a bit vague
  • Borucha
    Borucha 100% (18x)

    2 messaggi

    Regno Unito

    As far as I can work out you shouldn't have been charged VAT when buying UK stamps.
    Also as far as I can work out for amounts below 135 Euros Delcampe collects the VAT (and charges 5% for their "trouble".
    If the amount is more than 135 Euros you pay the VAT as import duty, usually payable to the Royal Mail, who charge around a tenner for their "trouble".
    I may be totally wrong but that's my interpretation of the rules, although HMRC guidance is a bit vague
    135 euros or 135 british pounds
    Does the platform fees get added to calculating the 135
  • plshakes
    plshakes 100% (21851x)

    23 messaggi

    Regno Unito

    You could be optimistic and ask Delcampe ADMIN, I don't know the answer
  • 4margins
    4margins 100% (16625x)

    142 messaggi

    Regno Unito

    My only previous experience of paying fees on stamp imports from Europe was last year in dealing with one of the major French auction houses that lists on here. I paid them via IBAN Transfer for an order that amounted to around £142 and for which they made a customs declaration on the package declaring the value. Most sellers either do not bother to do this or simply state "Documents" for the contents which are zero-rated.
    Anyway I received notification from Royal Mail that VAT was payable for around £7.50 (i.e. 5%) plus a handling charge of £8 for Royal Mail, and I reluctantly paid this through gritted teeth! Needless to say I will not be dealing with that auction house again.
    In contrast this charge that Delcampe is attempting to collect @ 20% plus a further 5% for admin fees seems outrageous - especially on small orders below the £135 or 150 € limit. If it continues I am going to have to take my custom elsewhere.
  • 4margins
    4margins 100% (16625x)

    142 messaggi

    Regno Unito

    Would someone from Delcampe like to explain what is going on please?
  • tris_nerima
    tris_nerima 98% (59300x)
    advanced

    471 messaggi

    Canada

    I only hear the crickets
  • 4margins
    4margins 100% (16625x)

    142 messaggi

    Regno Unito

    It seems that these charges are no longer being applied - thank goodness!
    A pity that nobody from Delcampe can be bothered to respond.
  • 4margins
    4margins 100% (16625x)

    142 messaggi

    Regno Unito

    It seems that these charges are no longer being applied - thank goodness!
    A pity that nobody from Delcampe can be bothered to respond.
    As at 12th April, these Import Fees and Admin Charges are now back again!
    Will someone from Delcampe explain what the hell is going on?!!!
  • @miranda
    Amministratore
    @miranda

    552 messaggi

    Belgio

    Hello,

    First of all, it is important to clarify that Delcampe must comply with the regulations currently in force.
    For buyers resident in the United Kingdom, UK law requires online marketplaces such as Delcampe to collect UK VAT at the time of purchase when the following conditions are met:

    - the goods are shipped from outside the UK;
    - the seller is a professional seller established outside the UK;
    - the intrinsic value of the consignment is £135 or less.

    This is not a choice made by Delcampe, but a legal obligation imposed by HMRC since 1 January 2021. In these cases, the marketplace is considered the “deemed supplier” and is therefore responsible for charging and remitting the VAT directly to HMRC.

    For consignments over £135, VAT and any applicable customs duties are indeed collected at import upon delivery. However, for consignments of £135 or less, the law requires VAT to be collected at checkout, which explains why the option to pay charges upon receipt is no longer available.

    For full details, we invite you to consult the following article from our Help Centre, which explains these rules in detail: Link (https)

    Delcampe remains committed to transparency and compliance, and we fully understand that these regulatory changes can be frustrating. However, they are imposed by UK legislation and apply to all online marketplaces without exception.

    Thank you for your understanding.

    Kind regards,
    Miranda - Delcampe Customer Service
  • 4margins
    4margins 100% (16625x)

    142 messaggi

    Regno Unito

    What this fails to address is that for Collectibles over 100 years old the VAT rate is only 5%! Delcampe are charging 20%+5% for admin.
  • @miranda
    Amministratore
    @miranda

    552 messaggi

    Belgio

    What this fails to address is that for Collectibles over 100 years old the VAT rate is only 5%! Delcampe are charging 20%+5% for admin.
    Hello 4margins,

    Delcampe cannot determine in advance which VAT rate should apply. Our platform hosts over 80 million items, and we do not have the items in our possession. As a result, we cannot verify with certainty the exact nature, age or classification of each object (for example, whether an item qualifies as an antique over 100 years old).

    If a member believes that a reduced import VAT rate could have applied to their purchase, they must contact their local tax authority directly (HMRC) in order to request a refund of the overpaid amount.

    Kind regards,
    Miranda
  • 4margins
    4margins 100% (16625x)

    142 messaggi

    Regno Unito

    This will not do. If Delcampe is not able to distinguish between items that are zero-rated, 5% rated and 20% rated, then Delcampe is not fit to act as a tax collector. It is not acceptable to attempt to charge a full 20% rate on all items.
    eBay tried this on a couple of years ago, with the end result that they had to make thousands, if not millions, of refunds to buyers - and Delcampe needs to learn from their mistake.
  • tris_nerima
    tris_nerima 98% (59300x)
    advanced

    471 messaggi

    Canada

    This will not do. If Delcampe is not able to distinguish between items that are zero-rated, 5% rated and 20% rated, then Delcampe is not fit to act as a tax collector. It is not acceptable to attempt to charge a full 20% rate on all items.
    eBay tried this on a couple of years ago, with the end result that they had to make thousands, if not millions, of refunds to buyers - and Delcampe needs to learn from their mistake.
    I only hear crickets...
  • jmajander
    jmajander 100% (13077x)
    standard

    62 messaggi

    Finlandia

    This and the corresponding import VAT on shipments from outside the European Union is collected only if the seller is a private individual, and not a professional dealer, right?
  • jmajander
    jmajander 100% (13077x)
    standard

    62 messaggi

    Finlandia

    This and the corresponding import VAT on shipments from outside the European Union is collected only if the seller is a private individual, and not a professional dealer, right?
    I meant the opposite: VAT collected only when the seller is a professional dealer, and not a private individual.
  • 4margins
    4margins 100% (16625x)

    142 messaggi

    Regno Unito

    The Seller's status appears to be immaterial, as indeed do the type of goods being transacted - Delcampe is charging the maximum 20%+5% import fees on everything. A lousy deal for consumers.
  • cartophile
    cartophile 100% (27903x)
    standard

    1166 messaggi

    Francia

    I only hear the crickets
    :D
  • 4margins
    4margins 100% (16625x)

    142 messaggi

    Regno Unito

    As Delcampe has now finally conceded that such import charges only apply to transactions made with "Professional Sellers", can buyers now anticipate a refund of all those charges incorrectly levied by Delcampe on transactions with "Private Individuals"?
  • @miranda
    Amministratore
    @miranda

    552 messaggi

    Belgio

    As Delcampe has now finally conceded that such import charges only apply to transactions made with "Professional Sellers", can buyers now anticipate a refund of all those charges incorrectly levied by Delcampe on transactions with "Private Individuals"?
    Hello 4margins,

    If you believe that charges have been incorrectly applied to a specific transaction, we invite you to contact our Customer Support team via the dedicated contact form Link (https) providing the transaction details and any relevant information.

    Each situation must be assessed on a case-by-case basis, therefore we are unable to comment on hypothetical situations. Once we receive your request, we will review the case and advise you accordingly.

    Thank you, Miranda
    The Delcampe Team
  • 4margins
    4margins 100% (16625x)

    142 messaggi

    Regno Unito

    Hello 4margins,

    If you believe that charges have been incorrectly applied to a specific transaction, we invite you to contact our Customer Support team via the dedicated contact form Link (https) providing the transaction details and any relevant information.

    Each situation must be assessed on a case-by-case basis, therefore we are unable to comment on hypothetical situations. Once we receive your request, we will review the case and advise you accordingly.

    Thank you, Miranda
    The Delcampe Team
    There is nothing "hypothetical" about this issue. Delcampe has been illegally attempting to charge buyers import fees and administrative charges on purchases for some time now. It should not be beholden on the buyers to have to provide evidence for such transactions, as a simple query on your database at your end should enable you to identify all those transactions upon which fees were erroneously charged by Delcampe.
    I have submitted a list of transactions to your admin team for which I believe I am due a refund. This should be automatically applied by Delcampe for all purchases made by buyers.