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Original poster

To wonder why shoppers are surprised at post-Brexit customs and duties?

212 replies

Wherrsmaclickypen · 27/01/2021 16:18

Shoppers are apparently 'dismayed' 'shocked' and 'angry' to receive bills for import taxes and handling on their online shopping from the EU. It not just media reporting - there are lots of annoyed and confused comments on retail social media pages. Many are angry at the retailers for not posting UK specific warnings. 🤷🏻‍♀️

We have come out of the EU. What exactly did people think was going to happen?

PS If there are any pro-Brexit knitters out there, who enjoyed shopping at Hobbii, Ritohobby et al, you have brought this on yourself, and the rest of us.

OP posts:
byebyeboyee · 27/01/2021 16:59

Does anyone know if it works the otherday? From UK to eu? Guess you'll still be charged?

thenightsky · 27/01/2021 17:00

@SusannaSpider

Bloody pissed off though, it should be Brexiteers shouldering those costs, unfortunately that's unworkable though.
That's my feeling too. I wish there was a way.
Theworldisfullofgs · 27/01/2021 17:01

Charges from UK to EU as well. That's one of the reasons why exports have dropped off a cliff. Its too expensive to buy from us now. Marvellous, isn't it.

MillieEpple · 27/01/2021 17:02

I dont understand this thread at all. I voted to remain as did nearly half of us that voted.

Im not going to walk round with a smug 'told you so glow'. Im pissed off and im moaning about it.

Gastropod · 27/01/2021 17:03

@byebyeboyee

Does anyone know if it works the otherday? From UK to eu? Guess you'll still be charged?
Yep, getting stung from UK to EU as well. I paid over 50 euros duty on a delivery from Holland and Barrett (worth 70 euros) recently.
ConspiracyOfOne · 27/01/2021 17:07

Do anti-Brexiters get sexual pleasure out of these threads? Every time they turn into a wankfest of superiority.

You'll find people surprised for having to pay for their own shopping ffs, as a cursory glance are MN will tell you, as well as import duties on stuff from outside the EU. You'll find people surprised by the fact that the earth is round and only women get pregnant.

Why start another bloody thread about Brexit so you can all congratulate each other on how clever you are? Take it to the Brexit forum.

lljkk · 27/01/2021 17:07

blue passports, blue passports!!

"Will of the People"
&
"People knew what they were voting for"

more seriously: it's really interesting how the fishing community vote split, England vs. Scotland. Scotland vote was a lot more reflective of whole country split than English one. It's almost like the Scottish strategy has been much more supportive of domestic fishing industry, EU membership regardless.

Angel2702 · 27/01/2021 17:08

@Lockdownlumpy

My parents in law are EU nationals. If they send gifts to my kids we will now get stung for a massive customs and vat charge on them if the parcel is over £39. We've had to tell them not to send anything now. Sad
Yes we just got caught out with a £30 bill from a gift parcel from family. It was only crisps and sweets, a couple of babygrows and was for 4 households but because it came to my address I’ve got the bill. I don’t even think the contents were worth over £39 but they valued it at £90 (without opening it).
Alaimo · 27/01/2021 17:11

I am not angry or dismayed, but I am somewhat confused (as a Brit in the EU). Some of the UK websites I used to order from now don't deliver to the EU at all. Some deliver but warn that I should expect to pay import taxes. Others have set up local warehouses in the EU so that EU shoppers don't have to pay import taxes. If all orders from UK companies incurred import taxes that'd be one thing, but because different companies are putting different measures in place it's a bit of a confusing mess at the moment.

LApprentiSorcier · 27/01/2021 17:12

Oh, but that will never happen because the UK is too big and important, import taxes are just Project Fear don'tcha know?

PenguinP · 27/01/2021 17:14

When the deal was announced, they said there would be tariff-free trade. There isn't.

Sadly it probably is unreasonable these days to expect the UK government not to tell lies and the UK media to report fully and accurately on what is going on.

ememem84 · 27/01/2021 17:15

@Lockdownlumpy

My parents in law are EU nationals. If they send gifts to my kids we will now get stung for a massive customs and vat charge on them if the parcel is over £39. We've had to tell them not to send anything now. Sad
they could order online though couldn't they from a UK shop?

dh's family are in NZ. i bought presents for our nephews for christmas and paid a total of £120 to post things out to them. NZ had added £5 per kg onto the postage costs. I paid it because i hd already bought the gifts, and wanted the kids to have them (also a birthday gift) but next time i'll be ordering "internally" so to speak from a NZ retailer and having things delivered.

AlexaShutUp · 27/01/2021 17:16

I am surprised by all those who have been surprised by this. It seems like a logical outcome of Brexit. That's what people voted for.

Looking at that article linked to by @LegoCaltrops, though, you really have to wonder at the thinking skills of some voters. How on earth did that business owner not realise that creating more friction with his main trading partners would be damaging to his business?

MillieEpple as a remainer, I think you're entitled to moan. The Brexiteers have fucked things up for all of us.

byebyeboyee · 27/01/2021 17:17

😭 my sister was going to mail me a bunch of stuff in November but felt to sick. She's bought it all but I can't let her send it now it will be too expensive. Oh jeezuz think of the vegimite she was sending a years supply

SeasonFinale · 27/01/2021 17:18

@Lockdownlumpy

My parents in law are EU nationals. If they send gifts to my kids we will now get stung for a massive customs and vat charge on them if the parcel is over £39. We've had to tell them not to send anything now. Sad
Except if they pay it their end and fill in a customs form like they should be doing
dreamingbohemian · 27/01/2021 17:18

@Alaimo

I am not angry or dismayed, but I am somewhat confused (as a Brit in the EU). Some of the UK websites I used to order from now don't deliver to the EU at all. Some deliver but warn that I should expect to pay import taxes. Others have set up local warehouses in the EU so that EU shoppers don't have to pay import taxes. If all orders from UK companies incurred import taxes that'd be one thing, but because different companies are putting different measures in place it's a bit of a confusing mess at the moment.
Are you ordering food? A lot of food companies have stopped shipping to individual customers in the EU (my DH works for one) because they have to obtain health/hygiene certificates for every individual order, it's just too expensive. This requirement could have been eliminated in the negotiations but the UK didn't bother.

They will eventually sort it out but it will take a while.

Goodbye2020Hello2021 · 27/01/2021 17:18

@ConspiracyOfOne

Do anti-Brexiters get sexual pleasure out of these threads? Every time they turn into a wankfest of superiority.

You'll find people surprised for having to pay for their own shopping ffs, as a cursory glance are MN will tell you, as well as import duties on stuff from outside the EU. You'll find people surprised by the fact that the earth is round and only women get pregnant.

Why start another bloody thread about Brexit so you can all congratulate each other on how clever you are? Take it to the Brexit forum.

Very defensive there Conspiracy
byebyeboyee · 27/01/2021 17:18

I voted remain, found out we lost and sold everything and moved to the EU so that I could get established here before Brexit. My sister will be moving when she can.... But vegimite is soo expensive here! My Australian dreams 😅

Goodbye2020Hello2021 · 27/01/2021 17:20

@AlexaShutUp

I am surprised by all those who have been surprised by this. It seems like a logical outcome of Brexit. That's what people voted for.

Looking at that article linked to by @LegoCaltrops, though, you really have to wonder at the thinking skills of some voters. How on earth did that business owner not realise that creating more friction with his main trading partners would be damaging to his business?

MillieEpple as a remainer, I think you're entitled to moan. The Brexiteers have fucked things up for all of us.

They really have.
BLToutanowhere · 27/01/2021 17:20

Can anyone link to an article written by remainers which covered this?

DynamoKev · 27/01/2021 17:22

@ConspiracyOfOne

Do anti-Brexiters get sexual pleasure out of these threads? Every time they turn into a wankfest of superiority.

You'll find people surprised for having to pay for their own shopping ffs, as a cursory glance are MN will tell you, as well as import duties on stuff from outside the EU. You'll find people surprised by the fact that the earth is round and only women get pregnant.

Why start another bloody thread about Brexit so you can all congratulate each other on how clever you are? Take it to the Brexit forum.

^this x 10000000
UkSky · 27/01/2021 17:22

This is a very informative read. It is specifically aimed at motorcycle clothing, but in general applies to everything you now buy from the EU.

www.motolegends.com/reviews/Buying-motorcycle-gear-in-Europe

Basically, if you are a retail customer you will have to pay the VAT on the amount of the invoice, plus a handling charge from the courier which can vary from about £10 - £25. Also, it will be classed as a "grey import" so you will probably find that no warranty is offered/given on a product.

LApprentiSorcier · 27/01/2021 17:23

@BLToutanowhere

Can anyone link to an article written by remainers which covered this?
www.theguardian.com/small-business-network/2016/mar/22/eu-referendum-brexit-change-vat-import-duties
Iknowwhatudidlastsummer · 27/01/2021 17:28

People assumed it would have consequences for somebody else. Not once has it occur to them that yes, it would impact them too.

It's exactly the same with the current pandemic. Ignoring the rules, bending the rules to put their own kids to school, the insane cost of the whole mess.... yes the consequences will come crashing down on them. They don't see it. Yet.

Or same with people wishing for a property market crash...

People are generally stupid.

DynamoKev · 27/01/2021 17:35

People are generally stupid.
Except for special superior ones on threads like these of course.