Buying from outside the UK

Check the item location first

Listings show where the item is located. If it's outside the UK, expect longer delivery and possibly extra charges. BargainTime's search modes default to items located in your own country, and you can switch eBay site with the country selector if you want to look further afield.

VAT

• Orders up to £135 sent from outside the UK: eBay collects the VAT when you pay, so you usually won't be asked for it again on delivery.
• Goods over £135: VAT is paid directly to UK customs by you, normally through the delivery company before they hand the parcel over. It's worked out on the goods' customs value.
• Gifts: the £39 VAT-free allowance is for genuine gifts sent to you by someone else. Something you've bought isn't a gift.

Customs duty

In Great Britain, goods worth £135 or less don't carry customs duty, unless they're excise goods such as alcohol. Above £135, duty depends on the type of goods and where they come from; the Trade Tariff on GOV.UK lists the rates. Duty is worked out on the price plus postage, packaging and insurance.

Northern Ireland has its own rules, which depend on whether goods are treated as "at risk" of moving into the EU. GOV.UK explains them, and the courier will tell you which applies.

How you pay the charges

• eBay International Shipping: you pay postage and VAT at checkout, and may be able to choose whether to pay customs and import charges at checkout or when the item arrives.
• Global Shipping Programme: all import charges are paid at checkout.
• Any other postage: it's your job to check what charges apply and to pay them. Royal Mail, Parcelforce or the courier will contact you with a bill for any VAT, duty and their own fees before delivering.

If you don't pay the bill, the parcel is normally held for about 3 weeks and then sent back. If you return goods or think you were overcharged, you can claim the VAT or duty back. GOV.UK has the forms.

What eBay's Money Back Guarantee covers

You're still covered if the item doesn't arrive or isn't as described, as long as you paid through eBay. Remember the 30 days to report a missing item run from the estimated delivery date, which will be later for overseas parcels. The guarantee doesn't cover:

• import charges you paid yourself, unless the seller pre-paid them or misstated the item's value or origin
• losses from the exchange rate your bank or card provider uses
• parcels sent through a freight forwarder or mail redirection service

Other things to weigh up

• Sellers outside the UK can be harder to chase if something goes wrong, so stick to eBay's own process and keep everything in eBay messages.
• Check plugs, voltages and sizes: electrical items made for other countries may need an adapter, and clothing sizes differ.
• Returns may mean paying international postage, so check the returns policy.
• For problems with a trader in an EU country, GOV.UK points you to the UK International Consumer Centre.