Duties added if you buy from Europe?

[whataboutbob]

This is actually about Etsy but I imagine the same rules apply as for eBay. I’m 5inking of buying some low value items ( cotton headbands) from Germany but am worried duty will be added as for items from the usa, due to brexit. Does anyone know the situation now? Thanks in advance.

UK VAT should be paid. But it may or may not happen:

Goods arriving worth over £135:
It arrives at customs etc, you should get a bill for 20% VAT, you may get import duty depending on the item and would get a carriers handling fee to administer the charges and for storage. The fee could be a percentage or fixed price

For goods below £135 the rules changed (not due to Brexit, but at the same time)
An overseas seller should register with HMRC, charge you UK VAT at the point of sale.
They declare their HMRC registration details on the package and pay HMRC on a quarterly basis. You pay no more on arrival

Some overseas companies won’t accept UK orders below £135

If you purchase from overseas below £135 and they don’t do the HMRC registration etc then you would owe import VAT plus a handling fee - but it may or may not get picked up

If the item is a gift worth over £39 then UK import VAT is due

For eBay and Etsy sellers etc it depends on if they follow the rules properly

www.gov.uk/goods-sent-from-abroad

It's highly unlikely a German seller on Etsy will be registered with HMRC.

I would steer clear of any purchase from the EU esp on "amateur seller" sites for a while. It's exactly now like it is for buying from the USA - a pain in the arse for all involved - EU is worse though because people will take a while to get used to the new arrangements.

Thanks guys this is really helpful. Sounds like it’s not worth the hassle. A shame as they are making exactly what I’m looking for but I’ve been stung by US import duties so once bitten twice shy.