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Import duty / tax on purchases from the UK for delivery in Spain

Posted: Wed Apr 27, 2022 11:06am
19 replies596 views6 members subscribed
LaMuse

LaMuse

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Hi, I am thinking of ordering an item of clothing from the UK for delivery in Spain.  I normally buy everything here in Spain but the item I want to purchase is not available here unfortunately.  The purchase price of the item is £35 and postage is £10.  Can anyone explain to me (in simple terms please!) what import duty / tax I would be required to pay here in Spain.  Would I have to pay the delivery driver or would the item be held at Correos until I go and pay?  Thanks in advance!

Darro

Posted: Wed Apr 27, 2022 12:12pm

Darro

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Posted: Wed Apr 27, 2022 12:12pm

Too hit and miss to answer conclusively!

LaMuse

Posted: Wed Apr 27, 2022 12:21pm

LaMuse

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Posted: Wed Apr 27, 2022 12:21pm

Darro wrote on Wed Apr 27, 2022 12:12pm:

Too hit and miss to answer conclusively!

What other information do you need to know?  At this stage, I don’t know what the weight of the package would be.

Cheryl

Posted: Wed Apr 27, 2022 1:02pm

Cheryl

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Posted: Wed Apr 27, 2022 1:02pm

LaMuse wrote on Wed Apr 27, 2022 12:21pm:

What other information do you need to know?  At this stage, I don’t know what the weight of the package would be.

What Darro means is that there seems to be no rhyme or reason as to fees payable according to forum member's experiences. Expect the unexpected and be prepared to end up paying unexplained charges before the item is handed over.
There doesn't seem to be a simple explanation.

https://spainbox.com/mailboxes/duty-and-taxes-to-import-to-spain-from-outside-european-union#:~:text=The%20standard%20VAT%20rate%20for,in%20addition%20to%20import%20tariffs%20. 

LaMuse

Posted: Wed Apr 27, 2022 4:42pm

LaMuse

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Posted: Wed Apr 27, 2022 4:42pm

OK, thanks - I’ll click on the link you have sent.

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Dazz

Posted: Thu Apr 28, 2022 11:38am

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Posted: Thu Apr 28, 2022 11:38am

The import tax and associated costs are all over the place. My wife bought a pair of shoes for £120, the tax and costs was €90. If you can have the item sent to a friend/relative in the UK then sent on from them the tax is much lower and doesn't kick in until a higher rate.

TP20

Posted: Thu Apr 28, 2022 11:56am

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Posted: Thu Apr 28, 2022 11:56am

Dazz wrote on Thu Apr 28, 2022 11:38am:

The import tax and associated costs are all over the place. My wife bought a pair of shoes for £120, the tax and costs was €90. If you can have the item sent to a friend/relative in the UK then sent on from them the tax is much lower and doesn't kick in until a higher rate.

My sister who lives in the UK recently purchased a Birthday gift for me. Rather than her send it directly to me in Spain she has sent it to my friend in Scotland who will bring it out with them next month. 

It's just too unpredictable, not so long ago I ordered 2 items from M & S es the duty to pay was €26 my partner ordered some clothes from Cotton Traders no duty to pay? Make of that what you will. 

GrahamLynn

Posted: Thu Apr 28, 2022 12:22pm

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Posted: Thu Apr 28, 2022 12:22pm

You can look at as many links and tables as you like, it makes no difference.  In my opinion, they just make the charges up 

I’ve had items delivered by Correos that I’ve had to pay charges on. There’s no official stamp on the package to say what the charges are and in one case, the sender hadn’t even completed the customs  declaration.  Package had t been opened, so Correos had no idea what was inside nor the value. In both instances someone had scribbled an amount on the packaging and that’s what I had to pay. It’s cash only, no change given, but you do get a receipt by email.

Expect the Unexpected!

LaMuse

Posted: Thu Apr 28, 2022 1:15pm

LaMuse

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Posted: Thu Apr 28, 2022 1:15pm

Dazz wrote on Thu Apr 28, 2022 11:38am:

The import tax and associated costs are all over the place. My wife bought a pair of shoes for £120, the tax and costs was €90. If you can have the item sent to a friend/relative in the UK then sent on from them the tax is much lower and doesn't kick in until a higher rate.

Thank you.  Gosh, it’s not straightforward is it?  I think I had better have a re-think!

LaMuse

Posted: Thu Apr 28, 2022 1:16pm

LaMuse

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Posted: Thu Apr 28, 2022 1:16pm

GrahamLynn wrote on Thu Apr 28, 2022 12:22pm:

You can look at as many links and tables as you like, it makes no difference.  In my opinion, they just make the charges up 

I’ve had items delivered by Correos that I’ve had to pay charges on. There’s no official stamp on the package to say what the charges are and in one case, the sender hadn’t even completed the customs  declaration.  Package had t been opened, so Correos had no idea what was insid...

...e nor the value. In both instances someone had scribbled an amount on the packaging and that’s what I had to pay. It’s cash only, no change given, but you do get a receipt by email.

Expect the Unexpected!

Thank you - I had better have a re-think!

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