Customs charging

[gunpowder17]

Anyone know the procedure for collecting customs charges in the uK now? They used to collect it when they delivered the parcel, but i dont beleive it works like that anymore. Any ideas?

[Tipsy]

They collected at my doorstep last week.

Has it changed since then?

[netsmithUK]

I think it depends a bit on the courier used. I've recieved invoices for charges from some services a week or so after delivery.

[gunpowder17]

I dont know, i just know id been lucky up until now. Im tracking a parcel and it says that its waiting for customs charging. So i assume im gonna get stung this time. Its coming by parcelforce, but i seem to remember him saying that they were not taking money at the door anymore? Maybe he was confused!

[Tipsy]

Its always parcelforce that deliver to me, and always have in the past charged at the door. Hope it doesn't change

[ChrisB]

As far as I am aware Parcelforce still charge at the door or when you collect from your local sorting office.

Its different if you get something shipped by the likes of DHL - in my experience they deliver the item and then hammer you with the customs invoice a few weeks later :-(.

The only way round it I have found is using sellers who will mark items down on the customs declaration and split bigger orders into several shipments.

I have never had any success avoiding customs charges on complete kits to be honest, only on parts and bodyshells. With TC discount its usually nearly as cheap ordering from a uK supplier for kits. These days I tend to only order unusual parts / bodyshells from HK / Japanese sellers.

Cheers

Chris

[TWINSET]

My last few 'PF' deliveries have been preceeded by a letter outlining the charges due.

Then, I've had to phone the depot with my CC number and they deliver next day.

For smaller stuff (regular postie) they came with parcel, and a bill.

With uPS, they usually deliver then bill alter, when you think you got away with it [!]

[XanderP]

I have ordered some things from towerhobbies in USA to me in the UK, the cost was £15 including postage and I was wondering if I can expect customs charging and if so how much?

[MadMax]

On £15 you won't get charged.

Last BIG thing i got was my Aeromax from HK it came by PF and i DID'NT get hit for customs!!!

[Sammy]

Does anyone *know* the levels at which you can get searched?

I am in the process of spending around £30 at Tower, on small stuff (screw set, allen keys, servo tape etc..)

I think £18 rings a bell, but I don't know what for, or from where [8-)]

[Tipsy]

£18 is the limit for anything brought in from outside of Europe (we are not charged Tax on items from within Europe).

[Shodog]

£18 is the limit for anything brought in from outside of Europe (we are not charged Tax on items from within Europe).

 

Tipsy, so as long as I mark my packages with a value lower than £18, my buyers won't get stung by customs? That would translate to roughly $31

[Tipsy]

Shodog, thats what I believe the standard rate is for UK buyers. I also believe that this goes up to either £30 or £36 (cant remember which), if it is also marked as a gift. At todays rate about $31 about right...

[theshopkeeper]

One little fly in the ointment though - if the item could pass for a £30 gift then OK but at some point Customs will cotton on that a Pershing tank (etc) isn't a £30 gift.  Then, if you look at the customs and excise regulations, the recepient in the UK is liable for (I think the term is) "assisting a false declaration" which technically is an offence (although they'd probably just send you a massive VAT and Duty charge)...  

[Sammy]

Hi All.

Thanks for the replies.

Being Tower, I'm not asking them to mark it as a gift.

I appreciate I may have to pay the Import Duty (20% ish) and I have factored this into my costings, and it's still economical to do.

What I'm unsure of is:

Do I get "penalised" for paying duty in the UK (as in more than the 20%) as a "Handling" Charge?

Cheers, and I'd really appreciate replies, but only from those who know, not just speculation.

Thanks.

Sam

[Tipsy]

If you are charged for duty/vat (both different charges), then you will be charged for the post office/parcelforce paying it for you. This handling charge can range from £4.00 for small parcels (post Office) up to about £15.00 for Parcelforce. Vat will always be charged at our Vat Rate.

Tower I believe will never mark an item as a gift even if asked to. As Neil has mentioned. Marking at a lower value than actual is an offence (although we all know it happens). Duty rates vary depending on what type of item it is

[XanderP]

Thanks, Nice to know I wont get charged with my £15 order then, Anyone know if the same customs rules apply to shipping from the east e.g stellamodels?

[theshopkeeper]

The regulations are for entry into the UK from a non-ec country, so they apply for anywhere not in Europe.  It is rather hit and miss how customs interpret it though.

[gunpowder17]

I recently bought a kit From Japan (static kit) it cost £134 inc EMS It was tracked at customs where i was charged £37.02 in total. £13.50 of it was Parcelforce fee

[Tamiya King]

WOW! You guys sure do take it in the shorts for mailing! Here in the US I pay the UK guys shipping and never pay a dime afterwards. That must suck on top of your high postal costs!