UK and Ireland Buyers Beware

I have just bought a Canon Extender EF 1.4x II from Hong Kong through eBay, which i thought was a fantastic price, until VAT, Duty, and other charges were added on in Ireland. In the end i could have bought this item from the UK €15.00 cheaper.

It's a bit of a gamble, but looking at the fine print on the advert should give you clues.

I've bought stuff from Hong Kong and the far east in the past without having to worry about customs charges - they were sent as low-value gifts.

Hi Pete, my item was sent as a low value gift also($50) but ended up paying a fee of €32.46 to the couriers, (VAT, €14.05, Duty, €2.07, Other Charges, of €13.50 +Vat on same). I also read the small print before ordering, i don't think it was the irish customs who put on the charge, i blame the couriers.

The charges and tax have always been around, i know a long time ago when i bought and still buy DVDs from the States. Anything over £18 attract VAT, duties, charges and fees. It's just the way it is.

I've been tempted to order from HK a couple of times, but after looking around the UK web based companies I've always got a reasonable deal, but without the risk of import duty, VAT, etc. It's also easier to deal with UK companies in case of problems etc.

Also I usually want my new stuff NOW! and not wait a week or two worrying if it's actually going to arrive...

I'd also feel guilty of depriving our good Mr Blair and Mr Brown of valuable tax money

Not sure if it's the same in Ireland but marking it as a gift makes no/hardly any difference and as said, in the UK, anything over £18 can attract HMCE The courier company kindly deal with the customs for you and add on a <strike>little</strike> huge fee for the privilege.

Keep an eye out for a company/seller called digitalrev on ebay. Every now and then they will sell new gear and promise to pay the duty if it gets noticed by customs. I just bought my 5D from them for £1500 delivered and then got £200 cashback from canon.
not bad at all

I "Know a guy" who has brought over $10,000 worth of stuff off ebay over the past 2 years it would have cost him about $13,000 if he had got it in the UK.

He got caught on a lens and ended up having to pay $140.00 in duty and he was so pi$$ed yet he did not look at the bigger picture - he is actually 2860 ahead of the game - that a fantastic lens or body for free !

I had no problem of paying the vat and duty, it was the extra chargers by the courier that pissed me off, when i phoned them to enquire about this charge, i was told it was a handling fee. You would think once you paid the supplier $50 plus insurance there would not be a handing charge on delivery by the courier. Thank you, U##