Ordering from overseas

hux · 26 Dec 2011 at 08:36

Do any of you use these third party delivery services?

You know, you pay them and say what you want, then they collect the item sending it your way?

All marked up as a gift of course.

Im thinking of ordering something of value, and would rather not get stung for it.

And yes i am tight

[TW]Fox · 26 Dec 2011 at 09:49

Isn't the max allowance on a gift only 18 quid anyway?

SciNeT · 26 Dec 2011 at 11:12

I've used EMS/Global Priority in the past, it's tracked all the way, never had a problem. Stuff from USA, Japan & China only though.

Lopéz · 26 Dec 2011 at 11:51

hux said:
All marked up as a gift of course.

Im thinking of ordering something of value, and would rather not get stung for it.

This is fraud, and I wouldn't advise it.

We intercept a high number of parcels a week because of "unrealistic" (ie - made up) values provided by the shipper.
Most couriers will do the same, it's part of their MoU with HMRC.

memyselfandi · 26 Dec 2011 at 12:23

I have used a third party reshipping company in the past due to wanting an item which was only available from a company which would not ship internationally. The whole transaction went through smoothly which was as I expected as I had researched prior to using the company.

They, of course, sent on the package with the correct value declared (after all if it is an expensive item the difference in allowance between normal and gift isn't exactly much anyway).

ZXSpectrum · 26 Dec 2011 at 12:32

Lopéz said:
This is fraud, and I wouldn't advise it.

We intercept a high number of parcels a week because of "unrealistic" (ie - made up) values provided by the shipper.
Most couriers will do the same, it's part of their MoU with HMRC.

Not only that but the declared value is what the item will be insured for so if it gets damage or goes missing you will eventually get that amount. Iirc even if it's noted as a gift if the value is over the customs limit you will still be liable for the duty.

hux · 26 Dec 2011 at 13:01

Fair enough, that's me told.

Amp34 · 26 Dec 2011 at 13:44

Hey, even with VAT (and sometimes export duty) things can still be cheaper overseas... I looked recently as a Sony Laptop with a saving of over £600 from the UK price, even with VAT at the border it would have been cheaper. Obviously with electronics it needs an international warranty to be any good though.