Tariff experience from Belgium (or lack thereof?)

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ccranium		#1 Posted : 27 January 2026 23:36:48(UTC) Retweet
Joined: 30/11/2011(UTC) Posts: 165 Location: Seattle area		I bought an item on eBay from Mrail Trainshop in Schoten, Belgium on Jan 7, 2026 and it arrived today. I messed up and didn't ask for an invoice before paying, so I had to wire extra funds due to the shipping price for shipment to the USA. It left their shop on Jan 9. 18 days total and I'm quite satisfied. The item sold for 15.50 Euros and the shipping cost was 29.85 (ugh, but I really needed/wanted the item...) with VAT (BTW) of 3.12; so total was 48.47 Euros. The CN23 Customs Declaration described it as a "modeltrain signal" with HS #9503000040 and country of origin Belgium with value of 16 Euros. It was mailed via PostNL (why not bpost? No idea.) I kept getting eBay notices that I'd have to pay duties before or upon delivery, yet it arrived today with nothing due, and the carrier said there wasn't any due. All I can assume is I paid any duties as part of the shipping cost for PostNL, or they weren't collected. 15% of 16 Euros would have been US$2.89. I'm finding that some sellers won't hassle with it, and others will ship to the US as long as you're paying attention to their shipping instructions and are willing to pay them. Not sure if or how this helps any of you, but I hope somehow it can. At least the ability to buy isn't completely shut down! Back to wiring... Brian


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rhfil		#2 Posted : 28 January 2026 01:25:17(UTC) Retweet
Joined: 05/09/2014(UTC) Posts: 831 Location: NEW HAMPSHIRE,		Why were you charged a VAT? My understanding is the VAT only applies to ECM members. I have never been charged a VAT and I regularly purchase items from a Dutch auction house.


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ccranium		#3 Posted : 28 January 2026 02:21:48(UTC) Retweet
Joined: 30/11/2011(UTC) Posts: 165 Location: Seattle area		Originally Posted by: rhfil Why were you charged a VAT? My understanding is the VAT only applies to ECM members. I have never been charged a VAT and I regularly purchase items from a Dutch auction house. Great question. I have no idea other than I know eBay requires VAT compliance by Sellers. The invoice has a note in French, translated: "The delivery is subject to the specific margin taxation rules - VAT not deductible, it concerns used equipment."


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hermanvk		#4 Posted : 28 January 2026 03:43:08(UTC) Retweet
Joined: 15/11/2023(UTC) Posts: 62 Location: Alberta, Calgary		Originally Posted by: ccranium The item sold for 15.50 Euros and the shipping cost was 29.85 (ugh, but I really needed/wanted the item...) with VAT (BTW) of 3.12; so total was 48.47 Euros. [...] 15% of 16 Euros would have been US$2.89. Brian Well if it is Belgium and VAT (BTW) was included: it is 21% ...


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