Buying second-hand goods internationally (eBay, Vinted, Etsy)
Cross-border peer-to-peer commerce: buyer declaration accuracy, EU IOSS / UK LVG / US Section 321 treatment, common gotchas.
Checklist
- 01
Confirm seller marks the parcel as 'GIFT' or 'PERSONAL EFFECTS' only if genuinely so. False-declaration = customs penalty for buyer.
- 02
US Section 321 USD 800 / day / address: split orders OK; same-day same-recipient threshold-stacking triggers formal entry.
- 03
EU IOSS: registered marketplaces (eBay, Amazon, Vinted, Etsy) collect VAT at point-of-sale for shipments under EUR 150. Unregistered sellers leave you to pay VAT + carrier handling fee at delivery.
- 04
UK Low-Value Goods: registered marketplaces collect 20% VAT under GBP 135. Over GBP 135: full duty + VAT at delivery.
- 05
Returns: cross-border returns are expensive. Always factor in return-shipping cost when evaluating peer-to-peer offers.