Online Shopping? Amazon in particular.

[Johnrgby]

I ordered a fairly large item from amazon.es on the 10th of July. The item was shipped from Germany via DHL - timeline so far:

• 10th July item ordered on amazon.es
  
• 10th July: Order shipped from Germany via DHL
  
• 13th July: "The shipment has arrived in the destination country/destination area"
  
• 13th July: There is a mention of "ESMADB, ES" on the Amazon.es tracking, which is a sorting centre in Madrid.
  

The above is the final tracking info from DHL - it's been handed over to Correos and subsequent tracking is through Correos website:

• 13th July 0933: "Customs clearing pending" 
  
• 13th July 1508: "Classified shipping in Logistics Center"
  

Since then it's gone completely quiet - no further updates. Best case the item is on its way from Madrid to Fuerteventura, medium case it's still sitting in Madrid but will be shipped here, worst case it will be returned to sender...

The item is priced 149.99 euros (shipping included) so if it does arrive I am curious as to whether I will have to pay additional taxes!

I paid the full price with mainland VAT of 21%. I emailed Amazon.es about VAT refund, and they told me to contact the seller directly. The seller refuses any VAT refund though. Should I be able to claim a VAT refund when purchased at amazon.es or is that only applicable to orders from international amazon sites?

tracking info on a small electronic part from Amazon

nation - Tracking consuming: 612 ms
2020-07-20 13:01
Delivered, Your shipment has been delivered to the recipient or authorised proxy

2020-07-20 10:43
In delivery, The shipment is on its way to be delivered

2020-07-20 10:21
In delivery, The shipment is on its way to be delivered

2020-07-20 10:16
Registration in the delivery unit, Your shipment has arrived at the unit responsible for its delivery

2020-07-14 05:29
Classified, Shipment has been classified in the Logistics Centre

2020-07-08 10:43
Arrival at the exchange office, The shipment has arrived at the international logistics centre of the destination for delivery

2020-07-08 10:43
Classified, Shipment has been classified in the Logistics Centre

2020-06-25 19:35
Accepted, Your shipment has been received at the point of origin

I am assuming the classified in the logistics centre on the 8t was Madrid
and the one on the 14th was G/|Canaria, I checked this last night, and nothing but as you can see it was delivered this AM, and although a tracked item and marked fragile it was lobbed over the garden wall, fortunately, it is undamaged.
As for VAT, I buy when I can from Amazon ES failing that I look for an item that Amazon is going to deliver when this happens the VAT is always deducted if however, the seller is handling delivery as has been said there is no obligation to remove the VAT, and in fact, I am pretty sure that items ordered by mail order do not qualify for VAT removal, so as long as Amazon does not catch on I will continue to get the VAT removed.

[Lexeus]

and the one on the 14th was G/|Canaria, I checked this last night, and nothing but as you can see it was delivered this AM, and although a tracked item and marked fragile it was lobbed over the garden wall, fortunately, it is undamaged.
As for VAT, I buy when I can from Amazon ES failing that I look for an item that Amazon is going to deliver when this happens the VAT is always deducted if however, the seller is handling delivery as has been said there is no obligation to remove the VAT, and in fact, I am pretty sure that items ordered by mail order do not qualify for VAT removal, so as long as Amazon does not catch on I will continue to get the VAT removed.

My two parcels were both really thrown about too, large items with Red Fragile stickers but they hadn't even bothered to use the handles built into the boxes, looked more like they rolled them off the truck....

With regards to qualifying for VAT, well that is why the export paperwork is required. If it's leaving the country to a buyer outside of the EU common VAT area then, as long as it is declared as an export, mail order or not the seller cannot add on 21% stating that he is passing it on to the taxman... as the taxman has no claim against you for general taxation, you aren't under his control!

[Rome77]

I ordered a fairly large item from amazon.es on the 10th of July. The item was shipped from Germany via DHL - timeline so far:

• 10th July item ordered on amazon.es
  
• 10th July: Order shipped from Germany via DHL
  
• 13th July: "The shipment has arrived in the destination country/destination area"
  
• 13th July: There is a mention of "ESMADB, ES" on the Amazon.es tracking, which is a sorting centre in Madrid.
  

The above is the final tracking info from DHL - it's been handed over to Correos and subsequent tracking is through Correos website:

• 13th July 0933: "Customs clearing pending" 
  
• 13th July 1508: "Classified shipping in Logistics Center"
  

Since then it's gone completely quiet - no further updates. Best case the item is on its way from Madrid to Fuerteventura, medium case it's still sitting in Madrid but will be shipped here, worst case it will be returned to sender...

The item is priced 149.99 euros (shipping included) so if it does arrive I am curious as to whether I will have to pay additional taxes!

I paid the full price with mainland VAT of 21%. I emailed Amazon.es about VAT refund, and they told me to contact the seller directly. The seller refuses any VAT refund though. Should I be able to claim a VAT refund when purchased at amazon.es or is that only applicable to orders from international amazon sites?

Thanks to all for sharing your experiences with overseas orders/shipment, very useful. I must admit I started thinking perhaps this would not get through customs due to lack of documentation, but lo and behold, the package was just delivered by Correos! Not bad overall, 12 days after placing the order at amazon.es with the item shipped out of Germany. No further taxes/payments required. Time to get that outdoor shower installed 

I may still see if can get the VAT refunded - Amazon has this A to Z guarantee regarding third-party sellers so that could be an avenue to try.