Since the United Kingdom left the European Union, new laws apply to sales between the United Kingdom and the rest of the world. One of these regulations affects professional sellers established outside the United Kingdom who sell to private customers located in the United Kingdom. This regulation requires marketplaces such as Delcampe to collect import VAT on goods sold by professional sellers outside the United Kingdom to British private individuals when the value does not exceed GBP 135 (approximately €150).
In practical terms, this means that Delcampe collects and remits VAT on shipments with a maximum value of GBP 135 (approximately €150), imported by professional sellers established outside the United Kingdom and destined for British private customers.
As soon as the buyer pays the import charges via Delcampe, the seller is required to declare that the import VAT payment has been made by providing the import VAT number to the customs clearance service. In most countries, this number must be indicated on a specific form affixed to the parcel or envelope, which is available from the postal service or the transport carrier.
If the seller fails to indicate the import VAT number on the customs declaration, the buyer may refuse the item and return it in order to avoid paying the import taxes a second time. In such a case, the seller is required to refund the full amount paid, including shipping costs.
Furthermore, any breach of the legislation relating to VAT on imported goods may result in the suspension of the seller’s account, or even its permanent closure in the event of repeated violations.
Delcampe applies the UK VAT rate. From July 1, an administrative fee of GBP 22.50 will also apply. This fee covers the processing of import VAT and associated administrative and compliance costs. It is clearly displayed during checkout.
We understand that this fee may seem high, particularly for shipments to the United Kingdom.
European Union (EU27) regulations will come into force on 1 July and aim to remove the exemption from customs duties for low-value shipments. They apply to purchases made by buyers located within the European Union from professional sellers established outside the EU.
In this context, a €25 flat fee will be applied to shipments concerned by this reform.
Although the UK currently applies its own framework, it has historically aligned with EU practices. To ensure consistency and compliance, we have aligned our system accordingly.
In practice, managing two separate systems would have created significant technical and administrative complexity, making them financially unviable for Delcampe.
We have therefore chosen to implement a harmonised system with a flat fee, allowing us to continue supporting shipments to the United Kingdom as we know how important it is for our collectors to continue finding and acquiring the rare item missing from their collection, even if this involves a higher cost.
Example of a transaction with import charges:
| Import fees | £16 |
| Taxes and customs fees | £22.50 |
| Total amount to be paid (excluding any shipping costs) | £118,50 |
Warning: for purchases over £135, the usual import declaration procedures apply. In addition to VAT declaration, some of these goods may also be subject to customs duties (depending on the nature of the goods and the country of origin).
Tip: to find out whether your buyer has paid the import VAT, see the article " I am a seller: how do I know if my British buyer has paid the VAT import fees? "