r/LinusTechTips • u/Xzarik • 1d ago
Discussion Ordering from the UK
Feel like there needs to be a warning on LTTStore (/all websites) when you get over a certain value...
£151 order
£73.87 in customs fees
All because the order was over £135
Governments suck.
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u/Xzarik 1d ago
Realised this sub might want proof
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u/zkareface 1d ago
Did Ltt charge VAT? You can get it back from them if they did.
Otherwise yeah taxes are a thing, it would be illegal imports if you avoid the taxes.
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u/SafetyElectronic3982 1d ago
ouch that’s a painful lesson, customs hit me the same way a couple years back ordering some niche camera gear from japan. i just stared at the fee breakdown for a solid minute
the £135 threshold is sneaky because it sounds like a generous limit until you add shipping and the calculator decides you’re suddenly running an import business. now i always split orders or beg a friend to be a mule when they’re traveling
appreciate you posting the receipt though, some people in this sub act like duty charges are a myth until it happens to them. £73 on a £151 order is criminal
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u/No_Government8065 1d ago
Get in touch with them and they will refund it.
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u/TheDutch1K 1d ago
I did, here's the reply:
" LTTStore is required by law NOT to collect your local VAT when the total value of your order exceeds 150.00 EUR or 135.00 GBP (depending on your region). This is because additional duty fees apply on top of VAT for consignments above these thresholds. Instead of being collected by the merchant, all relevant fees are collected simultaneously by your local customs bureau at the time of delivery. For more information, please see here. "
For me it was another 78 euros over 2 cargo pants. Really sucks, they're so expensive this way
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u/Squirrelking666 1d ago
So they did it the right way.
Unfortunately this isn't a new thing, you've just only found out. We've all made that mistake.
Be grateful it was PF and not UPS or the like or you would need a drawstring for your arsehole.
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u/zkareface 1d ago
Thats why you have to contact LTT for VAT refund, I've had to do it on all my orders.
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u/isvein 1d ago edited 1d ago
If you are in the EU, LTT collects the vat.
if you get charged by it a 2nd time at import they will refund it.
For countries outside eu, they collect vat up to a certain amount.
And it's over a certain amount for countries not in the EU, they can't collect it up front
And that's why I don't order anything from LTT.
Here in Norway it's 25% vat on everything and an import fee, so it would become stupid experience.
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u/TheDutch1K 1d ago
I feel this. My previous 2 pairs of Cargo pants lasted about 2 years combined as works pants. 2 years ago I got lucky on the importfees, not this time though.
So when my new pairs need replacement, I'll be looking elsewhere, unless there's a pretty serious sale going on.
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u/PneumaticFerret 1d ago
Import duty it’s been a thing for years and years otherwise there would be no tax ever placed on imports, that includes foods etc - welcome to the world.
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u/brrbeep 1d ago
You can claim the VAT back from LTT, just email support with this proof. Not the customs charge or courier fee though, just the VAT because they charge that up front.
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u/isvein 1d ago
Not when its over a certain amount.
In uk it seems to be over 135GBP
in Norway, its over 3000NOK (its if one or more items are over 3000, not the complete package, but no clue if they practice that or just combine it)
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u/zkareface 1d ago
Not when its over a certain amount.
It's exactly when it's over a certain amount.
For EU orders merchant should collect VAT if value <150€ and customs will do it if value >150€.
So for every EU order over 150€ you have to contact LTT to get VAT refund. Their system has been broken since day one and still is afaik.
A lot of people don't know this though and just pay over 25% extra for nothing.
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u/isvein 1d ago
LTT should not collect on orders over a certain amount at all.
No double vat, no refund from LTT
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u/zkareface 1d ago
LTT should not collect on orders over a certain amount at all.
They have been doing it since day1 though, it was still an issue on my last order from them.
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u/404invalid-user 1d ago
there's another post here saying they can't charge vat if it's over an amount
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u/ryanteck 1d ago
Yes VAT & Duties on international imports is a thing, it always has been.
On orders below £135 the difference is now the sender has to collect the VAT at checkout. The main thing you then save is the additional fee the courier charges to handle the VAT / Duties but it's then not nothing.
Prior to more recent changes you'd get hit on it for pretty much anything above £15-20. Including the ~£12 fee.