Orders From Overseas [Archive]

Slimboyfat

11-10-2006, 10:25 PM

has anyone ordered anything from abroad before and imported it here?

have heard that it can take a while as its got to go through customs etc, i.e - a kit.

just wondered how long it takes and what goes on etc.

any help appreciated.

craigosh

11-10-2006, 10:42 PM

It's varied for me, got a few used cars from abroad with out any probs and they all arrived in the time they should have (about 2 weeks)...

Only problem i've had was with some shocks i got that took a while and i had to pay duty... that was from the states, but something else came from the same guys last week in very little time..

Also come camera stuff took ages from germany!!!

It's all luck. Apparently there is a code which you can ask to be put on kits, which makes them duty free!!!

telboy

11-10-2006, 10:45 PM

I'm now going to offend all shop owners here in the uk......

I order virtually everything for my racing from overseas, mainly because I race Tamiya stuff and its a pain in the arse to get what you want over here:mad: .

mainly japan, as its cheaper to order it from there and have it shipped over!

you can get stuff from japan/hong kong in 3 days :o depending on where you get it from.

stuff from the U.S. sometimes takes around a week or so. but if you know what you want and when you want it for then you can order with plenty of time for it to get here.

whenevr they ship anything across they always mark the parcel up with 'toy parts' whether its kits or parts. It's less likely to get stopped through customs.....apparently.

You watch now, my next parcel will be stung for imoprt duty!! lol
but now that I'm going buggy racing I may order from over here more as the likes of associated and losi stuff etc. is more easily available.:)

_JP_

11-10-2006, 11:47 PM

best way is to get someone to bring it back for you!

My B4 and XXX4 were both brought from the US no import duty :)
got stung on my lathe and 25 pairs of brushes, but still cheaper than UK!

trick when ordering is to try and get them to put a lower value on the shipping so you get charged less import duty and also try and get "GIFT" on there :)

I imported a camera $1100 CAD and paid like £30 import duty as they put $250CAD on the invoice.

I know we should support shops and I do support 1 shop now, but its not the shops its the importers that control the prices here, but that's a different argument!!

Col

11-10-2006, 11:49 PM

I remember reading somewhere on this forum that if the kit is marked as a scale model rather than a toy car, or radio car, that if it gets stopped the import tax is charged at a lower rate...
Don't quote me as my memory is useless but might be worth looking into.
On another note, Daz bought an XX4 from the states for substantially cheaper than over here, paid no tax and it arrived in around 10 days! Got to be worth the risk:)

BenG

12-10-2006, 06:52 AM

Well , ordering from the overseas is a little mixture of luck and timing. I have bought full cars from Hong Kong, but UPS slap you with a £52.49 fee, I have been sent a FREE replacement part, and they tried to charge us. I dont kow if they do it on value or weight, as I ordered 6 packs of batteries form Hong Kong, the box was heavy, it cost me like $300, but there was no import tax

losixxx

12-10-2006, 07:22 AM

if memory serve's me right any item be it gift or not over the value of £18 or equivelent exchange value is liable to customs/import duty. the smaller the package the better chance it has of not get charged

Lee

12-10-2006, 07:49 AM

I get a lot of stuff from over seas, kits cells speedos etc, it all started off great the first few items i never paid anything but i find if it sent EMS the parcel farce gets hold of it then they rip you off and blame customs. the other day i had a carbon fibre cyclone chassis sent from the states, it probably weighs 30-50g max, it was ticked gift and had a value of about £20 but i still got taxed £8. not too bad i hear you say but parcel farce then put a £13 handling charge on it, my advice is GO DHL!!! i have never had any problems with them.

daz_75

12-10-2006, 09:02 AM

yeah don't forget about the Royal Mails rip off handling charge, usually higher than the tax you pay.

Don't forget though, if you have something marked as cheaper than it actually is and it gets damaged or goes walkabout your screwed

Slimboyfat

12-10-2006, 09:33 AM

Thanks for the replies guys. Once you are sure that somethings in the UK is there anyway of checking where it is in the customs or handling process, like a phone number or something?

Southwell

12-10-2006, 09:36 AM

You are always best to check if you will get hit with customs as some of the time it doesnt make sense to buy abroad if the additional costs are too high.

jimmy

12-10-2006, 10:09 AM

I bought stuff for my original RC10 from rc10.com (associated) and it came to 14 quid.. I got charged about the same again with vat, duty and handling fees.
remember- if you buy something for a quid - but it costs 17quid to post it, you are subject to being charged since the postage costs are included in your allowance also.

Slimboyfat

12-10-2006, 10:16 AM

how long would you expect it to take (for example) a kit to arrive?

plus is it true you get a letter informing you of the charges (if any?)

Southwell

12-10-2006, 10:20 AM

Last time i got a phone call saying you owe so much and you pay over the phone. Some companies like TNT (i think) whack on £30ish just to pick the bloody thing up!

jimmy

12-10-2006, 10:23 AM

it depends whos bringing it in, some companies will send a letter (FedEx) and others will just bring it along and ask for money at the door (EMS / Parcelfarce).
The parcel company is the one that charges you, NOT the customs people. FedEx is one of the worst.

I have had kits from japan (old ones, like optima, ultima, optima mid etc) in about 3 days. I bought the kyosho ZX-5 from japan to review - before it was available anywhere in the world, and it took about 2 days to arrive from paying to landing here - of course then I had a WEEK of waiting until parcelfarce bothered to deliver it to me.

DCM

12-10-2006, 10:24 AM

Most often, if item is bought from the USA, then depending on value, you will get a customs charge, and depending on if it is Royal Mail or ParcelFarce (and that ain't a type) you will get a freindly posty demanding payment or a letter, but if you got a tracking number, if it is lodged in customs, you can give them a call, and any charges can be paid over the phone.

Most if not ALL the stuff I have had from Asia (Tamiya stuff and aftermarket stuff for Tamiya's) it is here within 10 days normal airmail, and no taxes involved as they know how to fill out thei customs invoices... heehee. I have had one shop in Hong Kong which are totaly unhelpful, no tracking number and takes nearly three weeks.

Import duty, there are ways and means with this. Toy Car is cheaper than Radio Control Car. Gifts are taxless, as 'Gift' implies that it is someone 'giving' you an item, sponsorship item is free of tax too and the best....

Cells, if you get a matched pack, the tax is higher than an unprocessed cell, same if you buy a motor or a 'teardown', one is a full product, the other is 'parts' so induces a lower cost.

Oscar

12-10-2006, 10:27 AM

Incorrect Jimmy :p
The duty/vat is based on the value of the goods only, excluding postage. This is why it is important to specify to the sender that they declare the value of goods EXcluding any shipping and handling fees.

For goods moving within the EU, import duties and taxes do not usually apply. However, for goods imported from non-EU countries, Customs charges do apply, these may include import duty, excise duty and import VAT. Goods with a value exceeding £18 (for commercial items including internet/mail order purchases), or £36 in the case of gifts between private individuals, are generally subject to Customs charges. Normally charges are calculated upon the declared value.
We (Parcelfarce) have two levels of clearance fee for import parcels. There is a charge of £13.50 for express parcels imported through the EMS (i.e. International Datapost equivalent) and GLS (i.e. Euro 48 equivalent) networks and also for high value standard parcels (valued at over €1000). For all other import parcels, an £8 charge will apply.
These clearance charges are only applied if a duty or tax is payable on the parcel.

Most toy/models etc will only attract vat @17.5% and no excise duty. This is of course plus the dreaded "Handling" fee.

Chris Doughty

12-10-2006, 10:27 AM

from reading this, it seems like if it is available locally, then thats the place to get it!

some scary stuff!

Slimboyfat

12-10-2006, 10:29 AM

but if you got a tracking number, if it is lodged in customs, you can give them a call, and any charges can be paid over the phone.

This is my situation, anyone got a phone number so I can give them a call?

Ordered stuff that left the USA on Oct 3rd but not heard anything since. Also they haven't got my phone number as it seems the sender hasn't included it within the package.

jimmy

12-10-2006, 10:33 AM

Ah, but John:

Duty is charged on the price paid for the goods including any local sales taxes plus postage, packing and insurance costs. However, postage is excluded from the calculation for duty on gifts sent by post except for Express Mail Service (EMS).

from hm customs website ;)

jimmy

12-10-2006, 10:37 AM

one thing to say.. ALWAYS CHECK THE AMOUNT !!!!
I have had things before, where someone has written the duty/vat... . and someone else has written the handling fee.....

and guess what, someone has to mentally calculate those two figures together- and they DO get it wrong. I was charged an extra 5quid because someone couldn't add two numbers together.

DCM

12-10-2006, 12:54 PM

This is my situation, anyone got a phone number so I can give them a call?

Ordered stuff that left the USA on Oct 3rd but not heard anything since. Also they haven't got my phone number as it seems the sender hasn't included it within the package.

You need to call the parcel firm that is handling the UK side of the mailing to clear charges.

Slimboyfat

12-10-2006, 01:14 PM

how do I find this out DCM?

I've checked the info sent and it doesn't tell me.

tyreman

12-10-2006, 05:33 PM

Also make sure if there is a customs fee to be paid, they have converted the amount in $ to £'s before add the charges. As I have been charged vat on the value on the box not taking into account that the figure was actually in $'s, if they had converted it I would have been within the allowance:mad: . And it's a proper pain in the ass to get your money back from customs.

DCM

12-10-2006, 08:34 PM

how do I find this out DCM?

I've checked the info sent and it doesn't tell me.

If you have the tracking number or the sellers courier, they should tell you, most Postal services end up using Parcel Farce

bert digler

12-10-2006, 09:29 PM

ive never been taxed with any order from there they always put gift and value ten dollars :D

bert digler

12-10-2006, 09:31 PM

ive never been taxed with any order from there they always put gift and value ten dollars :D

sorry mister brown but to be honest you get enough anyway :cheers:

Lee

13-10-2006, 07:50 AM

Its a great feeling to beat the tax man:D :king:

modelimages

13-10-2006, 08:41 AM

actually it is called defrauding HM customs and excise, after all they only use it to pay for hospitals etc, so nothing important then.

Oscar

13-10-2006, 08:45 AM

Lee

13-10-2006, 09:13 AM

actually it is called defrauding HM customs and excise, after all they only use it to pay for hospitals etc, so nothing important then.

Not if the product that you are bringing in is duty free, i distrubute motors for a US based tuner, if these motors were to be used in a plastic car they would of been deemed taxable, now i explained that the cars we used them in have very little plastic, 5% max its all Cf and alloy nowadays, so they were tax free, when parcel farce got hold of them they ignored the 11 digit number for the category that they were in and hit me with a £300 tax bill, granted it may have gone to a hospital but its more than likely gone to fuel one of hordon browns jags and its another £300 out of my pocket before i even start. And believe me i pay more than enough tax in my proper job before i even think about model cars:mad:

jimmy

13-10-2006, 09:27 AM

Lol, thats parcel farce for you. We have had it before where they have lied about trying to deliver a package, I think its quite common also. They will come to your door and post a "sorry, we tried to deliver", not even attempting to deliver anything, just the note so you have to go pick it up.
jokers!

Slimboyfat

13-10-2006, 09:35 AM

just had a letter today from Parcel Force, so all moving smoothly.

thanks for your help guys.

DCM

13-10-2006, 09:48 AM

Tax - Hospitals.... your having a giraffe on that one aren't you.... it goes to pay off one of the biggest deficits this country has had in 50 or 60 years.... don't be fooled where the money goes.

modelimages

13-10-2006, 09:54 AM

i too import from the USA, last week three cases all properly marked with the correct value and contents, 2 attracted a charge no duty but VAT and the handling fee for parcel force, one did not, in this case the government appointed people chose not to charge me for 33% of my goods. that was there choice. i do not have a problem with people not being charged, i do have a problem with people who deliberately avoid paying by marking down the value or contents and then bragging about it. the excuse you pay enough tax is lame, you pay more tax because of people who avoid it, yes your £7.50 you avoided paying isn't going to make a huge difference to the countries economy but several hundred thousand £7.50's are. this sounds all very bitter and it is not meant to be, so to lighten it, do tax inspectors frequent this forum and if so could your admission of tax avoidence in a post be used in court?:D

Chris Doughty

13-10-2006, 10:00 AM

I am always scared of 'going on record' claiming that you 'got away' with something, or a situation like that.

I have to agree with Modelimages, be honest and feel good!

DCM

13-10-2006, 10:00 AM

I think, mountain out of a mole-hill comes to mind. There is an issue, I feel, where companied importing goods and evading tax is an issue, and should be dealt with, but individuals bringing stuff in, if they want to run the gauntlet and have there parcel stuck in customs, thats up to them. I have never asked for an item to be sent as a 'gift' but if there are ways and means of either circumventing or lowering the customs charge, then do it, cause I am sure there are lots of businesses doing that legitimately.

Oh, I have far less hassle with stuff coming from Asia than I do from America, and sometimes, the UK, lol

Lee

13-10-2006, 10:01 AM

Only if they could prove it:D

losixxx

13-10-2006, 10:02 AM

i dont mind the tax bit, its the totally rip off handling charges that are offen far more than the tax itself....last time i got done, £4ish tax £12 in total handling charge! and if uk price's were more in-line with other countries who still make profits on there sales then more people would buy from uk suppliers!

Lee

13-10-2006, 10:06 AM

so far this year i have brought in 100 19t motors , 100 27t motors, batteries, kits, the list goes on, sometimes you do get lucky abd something will slip through the net. but 8 times out of 10 customs will get hold of it, i have has packages opened (cells) by customs to see what they were, i didnt get charged, so its not like everything gets charged if customs get there hands on it, its parcel farce i have the problem with £13 for putting an envelope on a shelf and sticking a letter in the post is a bit steep!!

Slimboyfat

13-10-2006, 10:09 AM

I'll be honest and say my purchase hasn't worked out as decent as I thought.

In fact im pretty sure 99% of shops would probably discount you the tiny saved amount if you asked, it's pretty damn pointless.

Also i've waited nearly 2 weeks to get it and a local uk shop could send it to you in 2days without the hassle.

Slimboyfat

13-10-2006, 10:10 AM

its parcel farce i have the problem with £13 for putting an envelope on a shelf and sticking a letter in the post is a bit steep!!

I agree.

modelimages

13-10-2006, 10:12 AM

i am always surprised at the amount of parcels that don't get charged,look at it this way if company in usa sends you a parcel they pay the US postal service to send it, once it arrives in the uk parcel force sort it,transport it and deliver it, but they get no money for doing it, equally sending something the other way means the US postal service get nothing, its a reciprical agreement, however if it attracts a charge parcel force will get on average £11 for doing the paperwork. now it makes perfect business sense to me, don't do anything and i have to deliver for free or do some quick(inaccurate) maths stick a label on and bill for £11, i am surprised any parcel gets delivered without a charge.

losixxx

13-10-2006, 10:20 AM

my main gripe is i know of at least 3 model shops in uk that buy from abroad as its cheaper than uk suppliers, do they pass the savings on to us...no, so whats good for the goose is good for the gander.

DCM

13-10-2006, 10:50 AM

I know Tamiya are active in leveling the cost of a Kit globaly, so the days of being able to buy the kit half price will be gone in another year, but there is something you got to remember. When buying a Losi or AE item, in America, Losi (Horizon) and AE are their own distributors, but when it comes to the UK, it got to come from the US based distributor and then to the UK distributor, and the UK chaps still got to make their dosh.

I do feel for the likes of CML and Helger, they are, to a certain extent, being stiffed. So they have to make a mark-up, so Uk shops have to sell it a little higher and leaves no ground for negotiation, as most, although there is an RRP, normaly slash that to just be competitve with other UK shops.

BenG

13-10-2006, 11:02 AM

Does anyone find UPS love charging you customs?

PaulRotheram

13-10-2006, 11:52 AM

Just got my parcel from the states.. I ordered it sunday, arrived today with no customs or handeling fees. The company under priced the post without me even asking.. result!

Chris Doughty

13-10-2006, 12:17 PM

PaulRotheram

13-10-2006, 12:25 PM

How long has that been in effect chris?

DCM

13-10-2006, 03:20 PM

I thought that has been common knowledge for a while Paul....

PaulRotheram

13-10-2006, 03:22 PM

obviously not... :rolleyes:

bert digler

13-10-2006, 08:41 PM

actually it is called defrauding HM customs and excise, after all they only use it to pay for hospitals etc, so nothing important then.

i pay 25% tax 10% national insurance 17.5% vat 80% tax on petrol 90% on fags 5% on energy council tax i think if he loses 25 quid from my hobby tough sheep i sick of proppin up chavs and asylum seekers who mostly fiddle the system to death i dont mind any genuine folk who need help if it all went on the people who do need it id pay 99%duty but it dont:o

modelimages

13-10-2006, 09:47 PM

bigred5765

13-10-2006, 10:26 PM

never had any probs getting kits from abroad at the right money,anyone can get a xxxcr kit 2 front wishbones 1 rear wishbone set both shockmounts and 5 sets of rims for the price of a uk kit
get firm to label kit as a scale model replica scale kit you then only pay vat17.5% and a 12 quid handling charge from parcelforce uk about 215 all in sorry no pound sign yanky keyboard

nick oliver

13-10-2006, 11:08 PM

Just a tip OJ, I was told by someone.. they ordered some stuff from states.. 3-5days i think! n most time got court with tax.. went for the longer delivery n never got court since.. ;) :rolleyes:

bert digler

13-10-2006, 11:41 PM

sorry for upsetting anyone, your right of course the £25 you avoided paying could have been used in a benefit payment to a junkie and allowed him/her to pay for their next fix. you pay tax they spend it, sometimes on stuff you agree with sometimes not. justifying your avoidence of tax because it might be used on something you don't believe is worthwhile is i suppose equally as valid as my point that avoiding tax is witholding money from something useful such as the NHS.

its nothing to do with dodging the taxman we all take the chance if he dont charge you cool but if you get caught you pay it thats the bottom line but my statement was we all pay loads of tax do you see the result my wife works for the nhs they are struggling like crazy then you see some scumbag driving a new merc scammin the state laughin at us all which u have paid for for its the little man just avin a perk thats all:mad:

Slimboyfat

14-10-2006, 09:52 AM

Just a tip OJ, I was told by someone.. they ordered some stuff from states.. 3-5days i think! n most time got court with tax.. went for the longer delivery n never got court since.. ;) :rolleyes:

Cheers anyway Nick but I've already ordered and its taken nearly 2weeks so far.

got a letter from parcel force yesterday informing me of the charges.

still its an experience!