Avoiding Import Tax by Writing the Wrong Address
“I’m from Northern Ireland, and when ordering stuff online I’d always write ‘Belfast, Ireland’ on it instead of North Ireland – the post’ll still get there, as yes, technically Belfast’s in Ireland.
The post would be directed via the Dublin sorting office instead of coming into the UK routes. Nine times out of ten, the Dublin sorting office would just send it on up to Belfast, instead of forwarding it to Royal Mail in London who would then slap a huge import bill on it (whereas the southern Irish postal service can’t charge me import, as I’m a UK citizen).
The Republic of Ireland couldn’t [care less] if the Queen’s out of pocket over a few quid. My granddad was a royal mail postman for years, he taught me that one. For anyone who’s confused- if you live in Northern Ireland (which is part of the UK), you have to pay UK import tax on stuff you buy from outside the EU.
If you write ‘Ireland’ as your address instead of NI, the parcel will be sent to the republic of Ireland (different country, same island) who usually forward straight to you instead of sending it back to the UK so you can [be] charged. It’s a sneaky way of avoiding import tax.” Story credit: Reddit / dingle_hopper1981