OT Customs & Excise Question

Hi all,

Sorry for being slightly OT here. I bought a 2nd hand lens from Canada (for astronomical use). It got posted to me and I got hit with a lot of tax on it.

Can someone tell me if a 2nd hand item is liable for such tax?

Also, if the declared value was $700CN (or €500), does €134 in tax seem like the correct amount of tax?

I've tried trawling through revenue.ie but it's next to impossible to find anything straight-forward.

Cheers,

Daniel

Hi Dan,
It doesnt matter how old the part is, be it new or second hand, they'll tax it when it comes into the country. That amount doesnt surprise me.

Hi Dave,

They will charge customs on all sales in excess of €25 (that figure may have changed recently). It looks like they charged you the 21% plus a handling fee.
I've got caught a few times as I get stuff from the US and Canada. As far as I remember the handling fee is €30 for each package that they open. If the invoice is on the outside of the box, which is quite often the case, they won't charge that fee.

Cheers,

Trev

I'm affraid to say that seems about right

I've been stung a few times and I now don't buy from outside the EU anymore, much simpler.

Hi Dan,
I spoke to an aquaintance in the Customs recently as I was thinking of buying some second hand woodworking tools that arent readily available here,thinking that for work there might be a difference,but no,he said the guys in the Portlaoise office are very dilligent now and they impose a 2.5% (I think)DUTY and then add on the VAT on top of the total value DECLARED on the package.Dont know about the opening charge.
The dilemma is that businesses will declare the true value for insurance purposes,and even if it is marked as a GIFT with the true value declared
,the duty & VAT will be imposed :roll:
Hope this is of help.
Eugene

Last time I got hit for telescope stuff it was 21% VAT + 4.5% duty. They even charged VAT on the shipping, if I recall.

-- Jeff.