I am a US based seller and just completed my first international sale to a buyer
in the EU. I used a manual invoice rather than set up a whole international
shipping option, since I was able to get an exact quote from my post office.
I've figured out how to add the shipping and insurance cost, but was unsure
when I got to the sales tax section.
From the BL policies, it appears that any item being sent from a non-EU country
to the EU is subject to VAT. It said that if the sale is under 150 Euros, BL
will collect it, and if it's over 150 Euros, the buyer/seller is responsible
for it.
The item I sold is over 150 Euros. So, does that mean that once the item arrives
to its destination, the buyer will have to pay VAT (as well as customs/import
duties? Or are these lumped in together and paid upon delivery?)? Or, do I
have to manually calculate VAT and add it to my invoice price? I don't want
to double-charge the buyer if they're going to have to pay VAT when they
actually get the item, but I also don't want to get stuck paying a hefty
VAT charge from my own pocket.
I appreciate any and all help! I've never really bought much internationally,
and have never sold anything internationally prior to this item, so I'm not
entirely sure how this whole process works.
if tax is involved either bricklink will collect it or the buyer will pay
it on delivery. and in your case, it sounds like the buyer will pay for it on
delivery. just make sure you attach the correct documents on the package when
you ship it out (not sure what they are when shipping from America so id ask
the post office or another bricklink user will help out)
I've got the customs form to fill out, and I think that's all that I
need then, just wanted to double/triple check that I'm not going to get hit
with any taxes/fees that I didn't factor in, since it might be a decent percentage
of the item's value! Appreciate it.
It is a good idea to check the buyer knows they will be paying more for VAT when
it arrives.
Yep, I've let them know that there will be some additional VAT/customs fees
beyond the shipping costs they're paying now, and they're okay with it.
Thanks!
USA, Missouri
Canada, Ontario
United Kingdom, England