Things to Keep in Mind When Buying Online From the UK to Ireland Online shopping is a convenient and affordable method of locating the items you need. There are a few points you need to consider prior to placing your order. Particularly, Irish shoppers should be aware of the new rules governing customs. In light of the Brexit decision The result of Brexit is that shoppers must be cautious when buying online from UK businesses. They should ensure that the price they are paying includes VAT and import duties. Shipping costs Shipping costs can be a tricky aspect of e-commerce to determine especially when you have to do it for each item. These costs can be calculated based on weight, dimensions, urgency and destination. Larger packages, for example are more costly than smaller ones. A thoughtfully designed packaging system can reduce the dimensions and weight, thereby saving money on shipping. The best method to avoid paying excessively for shipping is to partner up with a 3PL which can streamline your supply chain and decrease costs. Remember that customs and VAT will be charged at the time of delivery when shopping online from the UK to Ireland. These charges are not included in the purchase price and can add significant amounts to your final purchase. Fortunately, these costs are averted by using a service such as MyUS, which offers low prices for imports from the US and UK. All shipments that enter Ireland are subject to customs clearance. This requires a declaration of customs and an identification code for the commodity. Import duty is a charge that can be imposed depending on the intrinsic value of the merchandise, excluding transportation, insurance, and handling fees. This is why it's important to know about the different import duty rates and how they are calculated. If you're shopping on Amazon it's essential to know the differences in the shipping cost between countries. Certain products aren't available for delivery to Ireland. The information on this can be found on the website of the seller or delivery policies page. Some sellers do not offer free shipping to Ireland while some offer it when you spend a certain price. Shipping to the UK from the US is usually less expensive than shipping to Ireland. Numerous postal services, including USPS, UPS, and DHL provide efficient express options for shipping to the UK. These companies can deliver packages as quickly as 3 business day. In addition, some carriers offer discounts for multiple shipments or high volume shipments. To get the best price, use an online calculator or comparison site to determine your shipping costs. Value-added Tax (VAT) A value-added tax (VAT) is a form of sales tax that includes both the initial price and the amount that was added at each stage of production. This method is used to avoid double taxation by ensuring that consumers pay the right portion of the total cost of the product. This method is more transparent than other types of taxes and helps to encourage competition between producers by encouraging firms to reduce costs. It also encourages saving and discourages unnecessary expenditure. VAT is much easier to calculate and monitor than traditional sales tax. This is because it is imposed on every step of the production process, which increases transparency and eliminates hidden fees and taxes. VAT can have a negative impact on the economy if it is not properly implemented. In the United States for example, VAT is particularly detrimental to families with low incomes. Some countries have attempted to solve this problem by making the threshold for registration of VAT lower than the threshold for sales tax however, it hasn't resulted in any improvement. In addition it is a progressive form of taxation, meaning that it raises more money for governments as income levels rise. This could alter the structure of business in the country and create more incentive for the citizens to put in the effort. Some economists worry that replacing the income tax with a new VAT will increase inequality. The Brexit impact has affected way Irish customers shop online with UK retailers. The Irish may have to pay additional Customs duties and import VAT. The VAT rate has also been changed for some items from 20% to 23 %. Before purchasing consumers should confirm with the retailer the price includes all taxes and other charges. Luckily, there are many options for those who want to shop from the UK. Some retailers have warehouses and stores in Ireland and the majority of retailers offer Reserve and Collect. Additionally, e-commerce platforms like Amazon allow customers to pay with credit cards to pay. Returns are also possible in the case of faulty products. Customs fees Shopping online from the UK is a preferred method of shopping for Irish customers however, you should be aware of any potential charges. These could include VAT and duty. These charges are based on the value of the product and can be added to your bill. The amount of the charge will depend on the kind of item and the tariff rate. Revenue has more information on the different tariff rates. Additionally, you will need to pay any excise duty on tobacco and alcohol. To qualify for VAT relief, you have to register as a business with Revenue. You can do this by e-mailing a completed form to Revenue 2 weeks prior to the date you will be shipping your goods. This form can be completed in the event that you are moving to Ireland from an EU member state. The European Union is a customs union that allows free trade between member states. All products that enter the European Union are subject to value-added taxes (VAT). It is common to pay import duty and VAT on the purchase if it's shipped from outside of the EU. These costs are based on the value intrinsic to the product, which is a combination of the cost of the item plus the cost of transportation as well as handling, insurance and transport. If you are a consumer you will not have to pay these charges when the seller is located in the European Union or is registered for VAT with Revenue. However, you should verify the conditions and terms on the website of the seller to make sure that these fees are not included in your purchase. The European Union has many trading agreements with countries around the world. On the Revenue website you can read more about these agreements. You'll need to file a Customs Declaration if you are importing personal items from the non EU country. You will have to provide information about the items as well as their value. This can be done by filling out C & E Form 1076. This form is available at the Post Office, or you can download it from Revenue's website. You should also request a receipt or invoice from the courier. This is so that you can keep track of the progress of your package. Returns While in brick-and mortar stores, shoppers are usually guaranteed an entire refund in the event of receiving defective goods, online trader policies vary. Some online retailers don't recognize their customers' rights under the law and have less generous return policies. If you purchase from a seller located outside of the EU you could be required to pay VAT and customs fees once your products arrive. It is essential to read the trader's terms and conditions carefully to determine where they are located. If you're unsure of the location of a seller, you should avoid doing business with him and buy from a different seller. It is also important to determine whether the seller has a registered address, and if they don't contact them to find out more about their address. All charges and taxes are included in the price if purchase from a business located in the EU. Some businesses, however, add these additional charges after delivery. If this is the case, you can ask for refunds from the store online. Also, check the company's website for an address in person and a phone number to ensure that it is a legitimate business. In the event that you are purchasing from a business outside of the EU and the price of the product is more than EUR150, then you may be required to pay additional duty and taxes. These additional charges will be collected by the delivery company after your goods arrive in Ireland. You can check whether you are required to pay these charges by looking at the product's detail page or confirmation page. Many online retailers offer free returns to Irish consumers. This is a fantastic incentive to encourage online shopping and increase sales. You should only shop in stores that offer these benefits. You can also return your items within 14 days. Keep the receipt and the value of the item. If you have paid any taxes or customs, you can also claim these back from the retailer online.