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Tax charged by Correos

Posted: Fri Dec 10, 2021 2:47pm
5 replies316 views2 members subscribed
nikkimunday

nikkimunday

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I just took delivery of an envelope from the UK. This packet contained my spare spectacles which I left accidentally at my son's after a visit to the UK. The Post Office in the UK marked the packet "gift" which was incorrect. They told my son it had to be marked as a gift otherwise I would be charged tax on it here in Spain. These were spectacles I already owned but left behind by accident. I was charged € 17.79 by the local Correos for the packet otherwise they would not give it to me. I had no option but to cough up as I need my glasses. Why have I been charged 21% VAT on what is already mine? I paid 21% VAT on them when I originally bought them in the UK some time ago so I own these already. Just forgot to pack them in my luggage when returning home. Can I claim this back?

I have kept the packet in case it is needed as proof.


Darro

Posted: Fri Dec 10, 2021 4:48pm

Darro

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Posted: Fri Dec 10, 2021 4:48pm

Unfortunately Correos do not know the history of any item so will have no choice but to charge you VAT.

Declaring items as gifts no longer exempts items from VAT or other import charges, that concession was done away with quite recently.

There may be a mechanism for recovering the VAT you paid I don't know but I would imagine if there is it would cost you 10x as much in grief and aggrevation, you'd certainly need to produce the original invoice showing the VAT paid when you bought them.

My advice would be to put it down to experience and move on.... and remember your glasses next time!

Personally I have not bought a single thing from UK since Jan 1st. and don't expect to any time in the future.

Welcome to the another of the predictable but never mentioned consequences Brexit!

killjoy

Posted: Fri Dec 10, 2021 6:04pm

killjoy

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Posted: Fri Dec 10, 2021 6:04pm

The amount paid does not only refer to tax(es) but also includes a handling fee. All used personal items declared as such are exempted. See here https://www.correos.es/es/es/particulares/recibir/tramitacion-aduanera-en-la-importacion/importacion-en-peninsula-y-baleares/dua-simplificado.

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nikkimunday

Posted: Fri Dec 10, 2021 6:42pm

nikkimunday

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Posted: Fri Dec 10, 2021 6:42pm

Looks like the sub post office made a mess of this. My son told them it was his dad´s glasses which he hadn´t packed in his luggage by mistake and that he was sending them on to him. They then insisted in ticking the "gift" box which was totally wrong but he didn´t know. He asked them and they got it wrong. I am now going to take this up with Royal Mail in the UK. They have caused this in the first place. I will let you all know how I get on.

Geoffro

Posted: Sat Dec 11, 2021 4:12pm

Geoffro

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Posted: Sat Dec 11, 2021 4:12pm

nikkimunday wrote on Fri Dec 10, 2021 6:42pm:

Looks like the sub post office made a mess of this. My son told them it was his dad´s glasses which he hadn´t packed in his luggage by mistake and that he was sending them on to him. They then insisted in ticking the "gift" box which was totally wrong but he didn´t know. He asked them and they...

... got it wrong. I am now going to take this up with Royal Mail in the UK. They have caused this in the first place. I will let you all know how I get on.

I'm afraid Royal Mail has nothing to do with this problem.  You should take it up with The Post Office ltd.

nikkimunday

Posted: Sat Dec 11, 2021 6:28pm

nikkimunday

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Posted: Sat Dec 11, 2021 6:28pm

Geoffro wrote on Sat Dec 11, 2021 4:12pm:

I'm afraid Royal Mail has nothing to do with this problem.  You should take it up with The Post Office ltd.

I´m afraid they do. these people operate under licence from Royal Mail but have to undergo proper training courses before they can get a franchise

I worked for Royal Mail for 26 years by the way

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