Buying something off eBay in the USA?? Can I use Paypal?

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SpruceRI

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I've seen something I want to buy on an auction style sale on eBay USA. If the person selling will actually sell it/post it to me in the UK, can I pay by PayPal and will the fees be astronomic?

On her selling page there's mention of 8% tax here, and some other tax there. I'm really not sure whether I'll end up paying over the odds?

Presume I'll have to pay Customs for it coming into the UK too? Does anyone know how much that is?

Thanks
 
Yes you can use Paypal if the seller offers it, and they pay the fees, not you.
You will have to pay VAT on it if it is over a certain amount, and import duty too, although this is only on more expensive items, above about £80, I think.
If parcelforce is the receiving agent, they send you a letter with the amounts totalled up, you can pay them over the phone and the item is delivered the next day.
I have bought quite a bit of western tack this way - make sure it is a real bargain or something you can't get over here for it to be worthwhile.
Occasionally the seller will mark it as a gift, or of a lower value to get round the import duty, but you can't actually ask them to do this as they can get fined!
 
ironhorse said:
Yes you can use Paypal if the seller offers it, and they pay the fees, not you.
You will have to pay VAT on it if it is over a certain amount, and import duty too, although this is only on more expensive items, above about £80, I think.
If parcelforce is the receiving agent, they send you a letter with the amounts totalled up, you can pay them over the phone and the item is delivered the next day.
I have bought quite a bit of western tack this way - make sure it is a real bargain or something you can't get over here for it to be worthwhile.
Occasionally the seller will mark it as a gift, or of a lower value to get round the import duty, but you can't actually ask them to do this as they can get fined!
Click to expand...

Thankyou Ironhorse! That's great info. :O)
 
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