I live in the United Kingdom and have ordered more than £135. What additional costs can I expect after ordering?
Celtic WebMerchant is based in the Netherlands. For orders with a value of £135 or more shipped to the United Kingdom, specific tax rules apply.
1. Why didn't I pay VAT at checkout?
For orders with a total value of approximately £135 or higher, we charge 0% VAT at checkout in our webshop. This is due to the UK import rules after Brexit. VAT is only charged when the package enters the United Kingdom.
2. What additional costs can I expect upon delivery?
When your package arrives in the UK, you should consider the following costs:
- UK Import VAT (20%): The standard UK VAT on the value of your order.
- Handling fee: The carrier (such as UPS) charges a small fee for the administrative handling at customs. This fee is determined by the carrier and is separate from Celtic WebMerchant.
3. How and when do I pay these costs?
The carrier will contact you (usually via email) once the package is at customs.
- You will receive a request to pay the VAT and handling fees.
- Note: Only after this payment is made will the package be released for delivery.
- Tip: Keep an eye on your inbox and spam folder to avoid delays.
4. Why does the carrier call this "Import Tax"?
This can be confusing. Carriers sometimes use the term "Import Tax", but in this case, it almost always refers to the standard UK VAT (VAT) of 20%. This is not an additional tax imposed by us, but the legal VAT due in the UK on imported goods.
5. How do I know if I still need to pay?
You can easily check this on the invoice you received with your order:
- Does the invoice state that 0% VAT was charged? Then the carrier will collect the VAT from you.
- Is the VAT already listed on our invoice? Then you don't need to pay anything at the door (this usually only applies to orders under £135).
In summary: For orders over £135, you only pay us the net price of the product and the shipping costs. The UK government collects the 20% VAT and the associated administrative fees through the parcel carrier before the package is delivered to you.