Custom import tax / delivery question.

banja

banja

banja

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I want to have an item from the States delivered (worth about £350). And for large / expensive items I usually get them delivered to where I work.

Does anyone know if the customs charge has to be paid at the time of delivery? Or do they withold the item and it has to be collected and the custom charge paid then? I'm not usually at work when the post / deliveries arrive. I think often it's the cleaners who take the post!

Thanks :)
 
You will be charged 20% of the value of the goods and as Cupra said it could take a few weeks for them to send you it.
 
It depends on who is delivering ... Parcelforce, for instance, won't deliver until the charges are paid (and seem to take ages to bill you so it's a good idea to call them once tracking shows it's at the depot and pay over the phone) but FedEx mail you a bill afterwards. I would also note that if it comes FedEx then I have had major issues with their billing in the past (Wrong bills. Incapable of sending the bill to "name, company, address" despite that being where the package was sent to ... They kept leaving off my name and just sending it to the company which caused issues with me getting the bill to pay it)

The only time I've been billed at the time of delivery was UPS and that was quite a few years ago.

I'm currently awaiting a large customs bill for something which hit customs clearance yesterday :(
 
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Ta. A check on the site I'm buying from states: We ship via United States Postal Service Priority Mail (domestic) and Global Express (international)

Any idea who this is?

Edit - Parcelforce I think.
 
It's a bit hit and miss. - UPS will almost always pay the charges for you, then rock-up at your house and expect the exact money (they can't give you change).

I've had stuff come FedEx without incurring duty, but when it does I think they emailed me to pay the invoice before they attempt delivery.
 
VAT and customs charge depends on type of item, often less than 20%. Couriers will rape you as well though. Saying that, many retailers will lie about the value of the goods and you won't have to pay any fees.
 
banja said:
We ship via United States Postal Service Priority Mail (domestic) and Global Express (international)
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Depending on size, Royal Mail or ParcelForce, both of which will send you a card in the post asking you to log on or call to clear customs before they will deliver (I receive stuff from USPS regularly!)

Fedex are a blooming nightmare, they have you sign for an item and make no mention that customs is due and you'll get an invoice through weeks/months later. I've been stung a couple of times signing for something on behalf of a client and then getting chased by Fedex for payment!
 
As above, some will deliver and invoice later some will withold delivery until payment has been made. Different courier companies charge differing "handling fees".

Do be aware if you've bought an item on special offer or similar some places have been known to slap FULL value and postage on the disclaimer form :(
 
It also depends on the company you bought it off, bought a data double kit for my mac mini about 6 weeks ago and got ruined on import duty (£8 flat fee) and 20% (despite paying the sales charge in the US too).

Bought something else last month from the US and it had printed on the box all fees paid and royal mail this time took that to mean no customs fees :D

Just confusing and inconsistent so prepare for the worst possible (6 week wait whilst they look for the drugs/bomb) with an £80 import charge, then be surprised when it take 2 and theres less of a price :)
 
3 deliveries from the States so far
1st UPS charged £18.48
2nd FedEx charge nothing
3rd Parcel Force £14.84 (stiffed £8 for handling charge)

I think they just make a number up and bill you, the items where all of a similar cost and size. You can query the charges levied against you though.
 
schizo said:
I ordered a pc case from the states earlier in the year and took six days to get here,i was amazed how quick it got here.
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A couple of times I've ordered stuff in an evening from both a UK and a US site and the goods from the US site have then been delivered first which always seems weird to me.
 
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