Customs/Duty Charges on Shipments from the US to the UK
Hi there,
We are a US seller, selling products for years within the US and now are shipping to the UK. Are we required to pay all customs/duty charges for shipments to customers in the UK?
We just got an angry email from a customer who ordered from us in the UK and the post office is holding the package until they pay customs charges (about 80% of what the item cost them in the first place).
In this case, we just told the customer to refuse the package and we will refund them but for future sales, if we were to include customs charges in the price of the item or in the shipping, it will cost customers almost double for what the product sells for in the US.
Not sure what to do here.
Thanks.
7 replies
Seller_64jziShTiTjOq
No, it’s the customer’s responsibility. You may want to add a warning to your listings to avoid it again
Seller_64jziShTiTjOq
Don’t refund until the package is returned to you, otherwise the customer will suddenly decide to pay the customs charges and get the goods for 80% of the proper price
Seller_taDBgt7LctucW
Are you talking about UK orders on the .com or the .co.uk site? I’m no legal expert but I believe it makes a difference.
Seller_Hdmu3frHmb36R
Hi,
It depends on which site the order was placed.
If the product is listed on Amazon.co.uk and ordered by a UK customer then the customs charges should be paid by you.
If this was on the US site then the customer would have to pay the customs charges.
Amazon’s Policy (bold mine):
"Sending your products internationally direct to your customers
If your inventory is located in a different country than the marketplace where your customers placed their order, you need to deliver the product internationally to your customer. Here is an overview of the process:
The seller chooses a carrier that can deliver internationally.
The seller delivers the product and is the exporter of record.
Do not expose customers to custom delays and additional duties and taxes on their products. It is your responsibility to discuss with your carrier how duties and taxes will be paid and to choose shipping methods that ensure that customers are not exposed to such payments or delays upon delivery of the goods.
Paul
Seller_f5cnodyVjLD4S
Hi,
As stated above…
When a UK customer orders from your US listings on Amazon.com, they are subject to any import charges, custom duties that may be incurred.
BUT if they ordered from their own home marketplace (Amazon UK) you need to ensure that all duties are already paid (some carriers will provide this service for you.)
So the price shown on your UK listings is all that a UK customer should pay, nothing more.
