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Until December 2020, I was happily in a customs union with a lot of other countries.

If I needed to buy a hard disk for my computer, it was often cheaper (including shipping) or more likely available in specific models, to buy from the Netherlands or Germany than the UK. The few times I upgraded my PC or other things, and had old computer parts spare that I didn't need any more, to sell, one went to Spain, the other to Greece.

None of these were trade, and none were items bought in order to sell. They were all occasional bona-fide personal purchases, and disposal of used personal possessions 2nd hand. Total value might be £2000 or something, each way, in a year. Could vary in future. Say 70% eBay (purchase and occasional sale), 20% Amazon (purchase only) and 10% individual vendors (purchase only), if that gives an idea. Assume for this question that it's self evidently not trade.

Now that we are post-brexit, what has changed? What do I need to know next time I buy from or sell to an EU country?

I'm thinking broadly here, because I can imagine everything from forms and declarations, to different courier procedures, taxes and duties and how and who they are paid to. Ditto for whatever I need to make sure a seller does, or a buyer knows to expect. All the things I take for granted until now.

What do I need to know/do?

Stilez
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2 Answers2

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The additional checks and balances have created bottlenecks but I don't think that's what you're asking. There's quite a lot to be aware of, here are some of the headline items:

Purchases

  1. When buying goods from the EU, these are now treated as imports so you have to complete customs declarations.
  2. Import VAT (UK rates) will apply to goods
  3. Customs duties may apply depending on the value and what it is (there's a duty-free threshold)
  4. Couriers may handle some things for you e.g. customs declarations but may charge a fee on top of this

Sales

  1. Once again, customs declarations
  2. And, you might be charging VAT. Speak to a VAT expert because the rules can be complex
  3. You probably want to let the buyer know they are likely to pay import duties and VAT

If you're running a business you'll want a courier to handle a lot of this for you but of course, that comes at a cost. In general, the process will take longer, cost more, and have more paperwork.

Wes Nolte
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Whilst its true that there are potentially duties bringing in goods from the EU, they are typically low around 4.5% also the duty rates for non-EU countries is potentially less, as the UK has joined other trade areas CPTPP for example and has new trade agreements in place.

Adrian Lawrence
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