Thanks,
Actually it seems that I had incorrect facts.
It's a german company. Having a swiss website (.ch).
Displaying prices in Swiss Francs.
Having a Swiss bank account to receive the payment.

But they are German, so I guess they have made this setup to "bypass" some importing laws-

I read the conditions they only say "they put the prices Vat included" for comparison only but they don't charge the vat of the destination country...

So basically they haven't charged the german vat, or the Swiss vat.
It's the UPS delivery service which did that...

After all it seems normal import, but shame I though it was a Swiss website with Swiss Francs and did not expect those extra VAT.

I contacted the "customs" they said it's happening sometimes that websites don't clearly say the origin, but if it's imported one has to pay. End of.
If I have any issue with that, it's between me and the website.

1) Your item in UK website has the VAT included in the displayed price. That's the law

2) They need to accept removing the UK vat from your item, not all sellers do that.

3) If they do and they also accept delivery to Switzerland, then they'll ship your item for the price minus the UK vat.

4) The customs verify the item, and charge you independently-

5) You receive your item

6) Later, you also receive the "Import " process bill.= price you paid + 8% (its tax for most items in Switzerland) + Processing fees...


Ie Your item worth 100GBP VAT excluded. It would have been 120GBP with UK vat.
You pay 100GBP because the seller accepted.
You received your item.
You receive the bill of 8GBP (In Swiss Franc) + Processing fees, something like 30CHF
You have to pay those 40CHF something CHF...

Simple!

There's variations depending on the item (book vat is 2%).

The main point is to make sure the seller accepts to remove the VAT on purchase, or it's administrative pain and you'll probably never see your vat difference.

Anyone know any UK sites that will remove the VAT?

uk sites for ........ ? fish, crayons, nuclear warheads ?

They should all remove the VAT as its going to a non EU country so UK VAT is not applicable.

however there are some that dont remove it because they cant be bothered.

I mean does anyone have examples of UK online sites that automatically remove VAT

It's my understanding that the tax you pay is based on the value of the purchase. We bought a PATAGONIA coat and the cost was 300$ from the US and they levied about $50 tax on it.
You can generally find most everything in France a bit cheaper -- or UK. I wouldn't order things, but wait and have someone traveling carry it back.

why dont you try amazon.co.uk ?

Hello
I'm shipping stuff over in a couple of weeks.
I was planning on buying a washing machine, tumble dryer and large freestanding freezer today for a combined fee of £870. How much will I have to pay to import this?
Thanks a lot,
Kevin

Tried a search but can't find the answer on the following question:

what if I order a pair of boots from the UK, (ex. VAT) then pay all the required charges here in Switerland, but then decide to return the item to England?

Would the seller have to pay any additional customs charges in that case? Or should I be able to just return it paying only the postage back to the UK?

The variable element of the customs clearance fee totalling "3% of the value of the goods" will be charged on the basis of the value of the goods declared on the commercial invoice or other customs forms.
http://www.swisspost.ch/post-startse....htm#txt108759
So it is 11% incl VAT plus customs clearance fee (12 - 16.5 fr.)

So the PO changed the pricing structure.
I was expecting a significant cost reduction but now it looks like I will see only a small reduction at best or a small increase depending on the country of origin and the value of the goods.
Disappointed.

I have to admit I did not read all 212 posts.

What I know is: you pay 8% on the bill.
I got -19% from the German site when I bought something, but I have to pay 8% on the total amount (including shipping costs) when the DHL person came to my front door.
You can also opt to pay the Swiss side tax by ebanking if the delivery (eg. DHL) offers this.

Hi, actually there is such service in all posts in France.
It's called "Poste restante":
Although I am very surprised that it's now a paying service (it used to be free):
0.60 euros...

http://www.laposte.fr/pdf-interactif...&idprod=000453

This Swiss website for tares is fecked up!
So complicated, so poor design!

You've never seen a customs tariff then?

What are you looking for?

I am just trying to find out a basic information-
The minimum franchise for importing items through the post.
I want to order a silicon gel case for my new phone and a screen protecting sticker. It's like 6 dollars max in total. In swiss website it costs a fortune.

For example, it's often mentionned on this forum that for items less than 65chf they won't charge you "import admin fee" and no "vat". I don't mind paying the vat (8% whatever) on a 2dollars item, but the admin fee is a flat "30chf something" fee.

But I want to be sure of the "official law", I don't like surprises with the Swiss customs

Edit:
I think that's this chapter:
Source in English:
http://www.ezv.admin.ch/zollinfo_fir...x.html?lang=en
Art. 8 Marchandises en franchise

1 Sont admises en franchise:

a.
les marchandises exonérées en vertu de la LTaD1 ou de traités internationaux;
b.
les marchandises en petites quantités, d’une valeur insignifiante ou grevées d’un droit de douane minime, conformément aux dispositions édictées par le département.

Items in little quantities or insignificant value... What is the value? What is insignificant for the Swiss? Less than 10 000chf ????

2 Le Conseil fédéral peut admettre en franchise:

a.
les marchandises à exonérer en vertu d’usages internationaux;
b.
les moyens de paiement légaux, les papiers-valeurs, les manuscrits et les documents sans valeur de collection, les timbres-poste ayant valeur d’affranchissement sur le territoire suisse et d’autres timbres officiels jusqu’à concurrence de leur valeur faciale ainsi que les titres de transport d’entreprises de transports publics étrangères;
c.
les effets de déménagement, les trousseaux de mariage et les effets de succession;
d.
les marchandises destinées à des institutions de bienfaisance, à des oeuvres d’entraide ou à des indigents;
e.
les véhicules à moteur pour les invalides;
f.
les objets pour l’enseignement et la recherche;
g.
les objets d’art et d’exposition pour les musées;
h.
les instruments et appareils destinés à l’examen et au traitement de patients d’hôpitaux et d’établissements similaires;
i.
les études et oeuvres d’artistes suisses séjournant temporairement à l’étranger pour leurs études;
j.
les marchandises du trafic de la zone frontière et les animaux extraits des eaux frontières;
k.
les échantillons et les spécimens de marchandises;
l.
le matériel d’emballage indigène;
m.2
le matériel de guerre de la Confédération et le matériel de protection civile de la Confédération et des cantons.

I just found that:

http://www.ezv.admin.ch/zollinfo_pri...x.html?lang=en


Exemption limit

There is no specific allowance as for travellers, but a tax-exemption limit, whereby customs duty and VAT are not levied if they amount to CHF 5.- or less per customs declaration.


So I guess they will charge admin fee as they charge 30chf!!

No surprises with customs? Sorry, I just have to laugh a little

I doubt that any agreement between the State and Postal services would be recorded in the customs tariff, rather sure this points to a different "contract".

But concerning your issue - the customs tariff won't be of much use as the duty is charged per 100kg units.
I have taken an example (not sure if the code is correct) for your gel case - Tarifnummer: 3923.2100 is charged at CHF 49.-/100kg gross weight. Your case weighs probably less than 100 grams, right?

I noticed now some changes on the postal website regarding the import of goods, but not so sure what to make of it yet...

My advise is still to keep your purchase & postal fee at less than CHF 60.-, keep everything nicely declared and hope for the best ;-)


Ah, just found something. Postal clearance is now split between Zone A (Germany, France, Italy + Austria) and Zone B (everywhere else).
A: Clearance CHF 12.- + 3% of the value
B: Clearance CHF 16.50 + 3% of the value
maximum clearance cost of CHF 70.-

But, they also have extras, sneaky buggers....
See here and here

Plus, they do not charge duties or VAT if the cost is less than CHF 5.- - you should be safe with the exception of the clearance and possible extras..

PS - just saw your findings as well... pretty much spot on, but I guess the handling/clearance fees are slightly lower now..

__________________
Nullus Anxietas - Oook

Thanks!
So it confirm they will charge some 12-15chf something just for "clearance"...

Also, I noticed they will have some new prices from 1st July 2012, but it's apparently only about some "Tares".

Well that Silicon thing might stay at the shop, after all.
Not going to feed the post for such a small priced item.

No customs clearance on gifts from one individual to another.