Customs charges :(
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From: Steve on 7 Apr 2010 05:58 I've ordered a few times from HK and never had Customs look at the parcel - this time they have and are adding charges :( Does anyone know if all future parcels addressed to me will be checked, or is it just that they choose a parcel at random to check? Thanks.
From: Kevin F Stubbs on 7 Apr 2010 07:14 > Does anyone know if all future parcels addressed to me will be > checked, or is it just that they choose a parcel at random to check? It's always a gamble as to whether Customs will decide to make you pay the VAT due on packages that come into the UK. Low value items will normally breeze through, think less than �20, especially if they are small and lightweight. Anything else, I always assume that I will have to pay VAT plus an extortionate handling charge by the carrier. As a result, I very rarely buy from abroad these days as it can work out to the more expensive option. The ever increasing checks carried out to prevent terrorism mean that just about every package that comes through the system will be scrutinised instead of just being given a cursory glance...so blame George W. Bush and Tony Blair :-) Cheers Kevin
From: pcb1962 on 7 Apr 2010 07:28 On 7 Apr, 12:14, Kevin F Stubbs <kevin_f.stu...(a)virgin.net> wrote: > to pay VAT plus an extortionate handling charge by the carrier. I just paid £14.12 on a package of electronic components from the US, £6.12 VAT that I'm quite happy about, plus £8 Post Office handling charge, that I'm not.
From: News on 7 Apr 2010 14:32 In message <qjlor596fq0td0fpjncv2796q4spo5k79d(a)4ax.com>, Steve <spamtrap(a)zen.co.uk> writes > >Does anyone know if all future parcels addressed to me will be >checked, or is it just that they choose a parcel at random to check? My experience, both as a sub postmaster, and regular buyer of stuff from abroad, is that it is a lottery, IF the goods are carried at this end by Royal Mail or Parcelforce. Goods carried by private couriers at the UK end are *always* caught and charged. Goods carried by Parcelforce at the UK end are sometimes or perhaps usually charged, and goods carried by Royal Mail at the UK end are far less likely to be charged. Just my experience. Oh, and the handling fee, if charged by RM or PF is charged BY RM or PF, NOT the Post Office. -- Geep
From: MC on 7 Apr 2010 16:24
pcb1962 wrote: > On 7 Apr, 12:14, Kevin F Stubbs <kevin_f.stu...(a)virgin.net> wrote: > > > to pay VAT plus an extortionate handling charge by the carrier. > > I just paid �14.12 on a package of electronic components from the US, > �6.12 VAT that I'm quite happy about, plus �8 Post Office handling > charge, that I'm not. You should not have been charged for anything worth less than �18. See point 2.3 http://customs.hmrc.gov.uk/channelsPortalWebApp/channelsPortalWebApp.portal?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=pageImport_ShowContent&propertyType=document&id=HMCE_CL_000014 MC |