2024-02-17 23:57:47
The Chinese online shop Temu offers attractive prices for many products. But customs duties and taxes are added. We say how much that matters.
The most important things at a glance
In summer 2021, new customs regulations were introduced for goods from China. The exemption limit has been removed and you now have to pay customs duties and import sales taxes on all products. This also applies to the online shop Temu, which has been advertising high discounts for alleged quality products in Germany since April 2023.
Criticism of Temu: Disappointed customers and additional costs
Temu has catapulted itself to the top of the app ratings with intensive marketing, but more and more disappointed buyers are now voicing their complaints. Even for apparently cheap products from China, you have to pay customs duties and taxes in this country. This means that some items are no longer as cheap as they initially seem.
It becomes particularly difficult if you plan to return it to Temu: Then you have to worry about refunding the purchase price and postage in China – and also about refunding the import fees in Germany.
Temu: These taxes and customs fees are due
Orders via Temu from China may incur three different fees:
- Customs: The amount of duty depends on the duty rate of the specific goods in the shipment. If the total value of the shipment is less than 150 euros, there are no customs fees.
- Import sales tax: The amount of this tax depends on the type of products and is either 7 or 19 percent. It must always be paid, even if the value of the goods is only 1 euro.
- Excise taxes: Additional excise taxes must be paid on goods such as alcohol, coffee and tobacco products. The amount of the additional costs depends on the type of goods and the order value. When calculating, it is also relevant whether the shipping costs were listed separately. If only a total value for goods and postage is stated, this will be considered “material value” for which fees will apply.
China shops: This is how you can minimize costs
To avoid additional costs, you should keep the total price of the order (goods value plus postage) below 150 euros and possibly place separate orders for different products. Then you avoid import sales tax – an approach that is often worthwhile even if postage costs are incurred again for a second shipment.
Paying customs and taxes: two options
Taxes and customs fees are usually paid in two ways:
- customs office: You will receive a payment request from the customs office that you must pay.
- Parcel delivery: The parcel delivery person collects the pre-calculated fees directly from you.
A personal visit to the customs office may be necessary to prove the value of the goods to be declared. An invoice from the Internet can be helpful here, especially if the shipping costs are shown separately. In this case, the value of the goods only refers to the cost of the items ordered.
Returns to Temu: What happens with customs and taxes?
If you are dissatisfied with a product, you can return it to Temu. According to the shop, returns are always free within 90 days of purchase. However, it may take weeks until you receive your money back.
If you would like a full refund, you must also consider customs fees. For small amounts, such as an item worth 5 euros, the effort is often not worth it. However, the effort may be worth it if you return a larger order in its entirety.
The request for a refund must be submitted directly to customs within one year. You can view the applicable regulations and download the forms on the German customs refund page. Please keep all correspondence and delivery receipts so that you can provide seamless proof of the return.