Customs duty on methylcobalamin

[Missd66]

Hi. Can anyone tell me if there is now a duty to pay on b12/methyl etc.,?

I've just received an order from Germany. I was expecting the 20% vat but not a large duty fee at Customs. Not really sure exactly what I'm looking for but I had a look on the Customs website and found a code for vitamin b12 & derivatives - 2936 260000 . I looked it up for 'transactions between EU & UK' and the chart shows 'duty rate 0%'. Is there another code for injectable b12 perhaps, with a fee or something else I'm missing?

I thought I'd ask here before making a fool of myself calling Customs!

[Wheat]

hello, I think the problem here may be that your order was £135 or over, this is when customs duty becomes payable.

[Missd66 in reply to Wheat]

Hi. Thanks for your reply. Yes, it was over 135, which is why I expected the vat but I've never been charged duty as well on a similar value order... I wondered if the courier used a different code or if there was a recent change in regulations.

I guess I'll have to ring Customs. I just didn't want to rock the boat in case it's something to do with supplying injections to the UK now.

[Wheat in reply to Missd66]

It was £135 when I last checked c. April/May 23. It's definitely £135 as other members have been caught out since .

Maybe you have been lucky or its a matter of interpretation. Best of luck.

[Missd66 in reply to Wheat]

I was expecting the vat... this time! My 1st post brexit order I wasn't,and got a 'surprise'. It's the additional custom 'duty' on top of the vat that I was not expecting. My previous order over £135 listed the vat amount £xyz, then import duty 0.00, then excise duty 0.00. This time it was listed as DUTY Custom duty (dt) £xx, then TAX vat £xyz. Thanks

[helvella]

If it is over £135 it is regarded as trade and subject to VAT, clearance changes and (if applicable) duty. But duty rates are very often zero or a very low percentage. And VAT is also levied on the p&p charges.

If the total is less than £135, then the VAT would usually have been charged at time of ordering.

I have posted the below several times in an effort to try to tell people. But I am really only a passing-through member.

helvella - Personal Importation of Prescription-only Medicines

Details of the legal and cost issues that apply to personal importation of medicines.

helvella.blogspot.com/p/hel...

[Missd66 in reply to helvella]

Thanks helvella. Yes, it was your useful post I found that explained this... after I got caught on my 1st post brexit order and looked for info. (Btw, I just clicked on the blogspot link to re-read but it comes up, page doesn't exist).

This time they've added 'duty' on top of the expected vat, which was listed as zero for both 'import' and 'excise' on my previous order. (I still had the customs charge label from it). I thought it as zero/wasn't applicable but wondered if something had changed. Never mind. I'll have to I investigate further. Thanks again

[helvella in reply to Missd66]

Odd!

I have corrected the link. (Which probably means the link on my previous posts will no longer work.

If you find anything I have got wrong, or should add, please let me know.

[Missd66 in reply to helvella]

Thanks for all your input and insights on the forum. I'm sure you've got it covered but will do!

[Flintfootfilly]

Isn't methyl B12 still available on the UK, so no need to buy from Germany? Oxford used to supply it, but you have to source suitable sterile saline to dissolve it in before injecting.

[Missd66 in reply to Flintfootfilly]

Hi. Yes, methyl powder is available but single use, sterile ampoules are much the safest option... and before brexit, with the added vat and huge shipping increases, were actually cheaper if bought bulk. My question, more simply put, was whether b12 in all its forms, is exempt from duty.

[Gambit62 Administrator]

medicines will be zero rated but you are actually purchasing a vitamin supplement which is subject to VAT. This would have been charged by the supplier at rates applicable in country of origin prior to UK leaving EU but now it is due to be paid in the UK

[Gambit62 Administrator in reply to Gambit62]

there is an agreement in place between the UK and EU which means that it is unlikely an on-line pharmacy will supply as a medicine.

[Missd66 in reply to Gambit62]

Hi Gambit.I get the vat bit now on purchase and shipping totalling over £135. It's the zero duty rate I don't get.

("I had a look on the Customs website and found a code for vitamin b12 & derivatives - 2936 260000 . I looked it up for 'transactions between EU & UK' and the chart shows 'duty rate 0%").

If an order from the same company hasn't incurred it before, (on orders since brexit), why would duty apply this time? Does the company, the courier or customs decide what it is classed as, medicine or vitamin? Could Arnika have previously classed it as medicine (zero rate) but maybe now have to say its a vitamin supplement be able to carry on shipping to UK? The shipping label listed contents simply as as methylcobalamin, adenosylcobalamin.

Sorry if I'm being a bit thick, or expecting you to know what they're thinking, but you have a better grasp of it all.

I didn't want to just ring Customs and put my foot in it if it could affect future supply to us...

Thanks

[Polo22 in reply to Missd66]

I was wondering about this , I just order 3 or 4 boxes so as yet hasn't been a problem. I wonder if other orders of different items are also suddenly being viewed as an income stream

My son has ordered items from USA, not meds, , same company several times in past. Costume jewellery, stuff tech heads/ gamers like to collect. Never been a problem pays they arrive. Last 2 orders courier, Parcel force , have demanded extra payment before they will deliver. First £67 , second £78, on the labels it is listed as customs duty 0%, excise duty 0%. I wonder if it has something to do with ongoing issues re Brexit, as the USA company says they are shipping from states but Parcel Force says country of origin Germany. Could it be because EU country and we have left?

[Missd66 in reply to Polo22]

In December i was going to order 3 boxes but shipping has gone up so much that I could only get 2 and keep it under £135 vat limit. Then there was a problem with the courier/customs form and I was quoted €113\£99 (exchange rate at the time), for a different courier, so even 1 box would have been over! I ended up waiting and placing a larger order to offset the shipping, (which had come down a little), but obviously incurred vat. As your customs and excise categories both show 0%, were the orders over £135, and the additional fee for vat? (20% of the total value of goods & shipping).

Interesting that you mention it might be seen as an income stream. It will be interesting to see if anyone else has any insights or similar experiences! Brexit has certainly made its mark.

[Polo22 in reply to Missd66]

I haven't fell foul when ordering my injectables yet have enough for a while. Yes my sons order , first one I think was about £160, item and shipping, a ring? some Elven character. Second was a necklace, Witcher/runic symbol £180/90 ish shipping included. 0% charges, has ordered same company, various prices since Brexit, usually £145/50 to about £190/200 never had demands for delivery charges before.

[Missd66 in reply to Polo22]

Does seem to be a bit of a mess....

[helvella in reply to Missd66]

I think that postage does not count towards £135. But does count towards VAT if over £135. (That to a large extent prevents those involved playing with prices and increasing postage but reducing value to avoid VAT on "trade" orders.)

But I certainly wouldn't want to risk it and expect everyone to agree the same interpretation of the rules.

[Gambit62 Administrator in reply to Missd66]

Duty is different from VAT. There is usually a de minimis amount below which it isn't levied.

[Missd66 in reply to Gambit62]

So maybe as this order was a bit more than the last, it might just have been enough to take it over that limit. Thanks for your help

[Missd66]

My brain hurts 🤪😳