Customs

[tc2k]

Ahh, dont you just cringe at customs. My stuff from America entered the country and for the 80quid package, has a nice 30quid bill for vat and parcelforce.
Parcelforce find a £13 charge for delivering it to the post office fair!

[jimmy]

my mate at UPS said that over the christmas period all you have to do is complain about the charge and you don't have to pay it - they will basically let you off.

That is for UPS and only for the handling charge though of course. But you can try it with the post office / parcel farce. Their charges are way way over the top and should be regulated.

[DCM]

The £13 charge is the handling fee through customs, and them paying the customs charge for you, to expedite it through, which you then have to pay the customs charge and Parcelforces handling fee.

Buying from overseas all comes down to what is on the invoice.....

[Chrislong]

Im finding that any expensive carriage option, who tend to do it all properly, will always result in a customs charge including the unreasonable handling fee etc..

But from USA, shipments by USPS Priority Mail, which is the bog standard option seem to be a week in transit, reliable, and never even gets stopped at customs to incur any additional fee's..... although, technically they should (and I know the in's and out's of this in my line of work, but for stuff for myself, id rather avoid the charges and act numb)

Soo (tc2k), did you save money overall compared to buying from a UK shop?

[tc2k]

Oh yes, I definately saved money, I spent about £100 ncluding postage, buying in the UK, Id have spent about £185 on the stuff. So even with the customs charges I saved about £55, I know its best to buy UK to support the LHS but being 16 and no job, right now, all Im looking for is saving moeny and getting the parts I need. I saved but I wasnt expecting such a harsh charge. Im surprised we got the package at this time of year within 10 days, but the customs just stung me. As for them paying the customs, Id rather pay the customs myself. What annoys me Is I bought 50quids worth of stuff last year from japan and had it shipped at the exact same time, about a week before christmas, not a single problem with customs, quite frustrating, I guess this is all my christmas money gone No money for new tires

[Chrislong]

Originally Posted by tc2k

Id rather pay the customs myself.

I know, me too, but unfortunately customs don't want any hassle with people, instead they have these rules about the people they charge having deferment account (commitment of lots of ££££ upfront) from which customs can take the money straight away, therefore only large companies and the carriers have them.... simple transaction for customs, and all the hassle with the end customer is dealt with through the owner of the deferment account used - which is why your bill will have come from the carrier.

[tc2k]

Oh well, I gues Ive learnt a lesson

2 things ordered from USA - 2 customs charges
3 things ordered from HK/Japan - 0 customs charges

Never buy from America!

[DCM]

Well, the guys from Japan probably have more lax customs than the US, so will allow lots to go through as 'toy car parts'. Also, I would of thought that paying your own Customs fee would also involve in you going to collect the item in person, as there would be no agreed package handler this side, but you will find that the USPS have a tie-up deal with ParcelForce, and all the other 'national mail services' in each country.

In the end, you got caught with an official package and paid the correct amount of tax, rather than getting lucky and it slipping through, just when you ship from abroad, always anticipate a customs charge.

[tc2k]

Well, despite being peeved off, I think ive learnt to be a bit more caution, I totally forgot about customs so basically all my christmas money is gone. I guess I need a job fast! At least im set for this racing season now

[losidan]

Originally Posted by DCM

Well, the guys from Japan probably have more lax customs than the US, so will allow lots to go through as 'toy car parts'. Also, I would of thought that paying your own Customs fee would also involve in you going to collect the item in person, as there would be no agreed package handler this side, but you will find that the USPS have a tie-up deal with ParcelForce, and all the other 'national mail services' in each country.

In the end, you got caught with an official package and paid the correct amount of tax, rather than getting lucky and it slipping through, just when you ship from abroad, always anticipate a customs charge.

that is very true mate and if you look at an eastern shop like stella on ebay they tell you how they phrase it on the invoice to make sure the charge is as low as possible..i guess in the usa they are more a stickler for doing things "by the book"