How long do customs hold packages from the US (roughly)

peneloperigby · 28 January 2010 at 1:52AM

I realise this isn't life or death but I am panicking a bit here.

My boyfriend bought me a really gorgeous dress from America (online) just tonight. He bought it for me to wear for my 30th birthday in 2 weeks. They are shipping it with International Priority Mail which is meant to be quite quick but someone mentioned customs in the UK sometimes hold packages? Does this apply to clothes and how long do they hold them for?

I'm pretty worried because he saved up for quite a while to buy me something really special and it will be terrible if it doesn't come. We have no money to buy something else and I've lost a lot of weight so can't even slip into something I already have! Big party planned, any advice welcome! :eek:

mjm3346 · 28 January 2010 at 3:37AM

If all the customs papers have been completed correctly there is no reason for it to be held by customs.
There is a MSE artice on buying from the usa-

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/shopping/best-buy-usa

From around £20+ there is vat @ 17.5% to pay and Customs duty if the goods are much over £100 (on clothing it's about 12%)

Hintza · 28 January 2010 at 8:40AM

You will most likely be fine but to be safe I tend to allow around a month (but that was over Christmas) not much you can do really.........keep fingers crossed.

peneloperigby · 28 January 2010 at 9:36AM

I don't mind paying the customs fee if there is one. I'm just worried about them holding it. Am I right in thinking that if everything is done correctly by the seller then I am covered customs wise? They are using FedEx International Priority, I am very confused by customs and how/when it gets paid. The order is worth $185 which is around £111.

Hintza · 28 January 2010 at 12:03PM

VAT + Duty + £8 (?) clearance fee on tot al price incuding P+P. So you will have £25-£30 to pay. I might add they won't hold it as such it just takes time to come through if they are busy and if it doesn't go direct to sorting office you might get a letter advising you of the charges that need paid beforte they release it. With luck it will go straight to your local sorting office though.

mightymolly · 28 January 2010 at 12:04PM

wonder if that's where my packages are then???

solodanceparty · 28 January 2010 at 12:49PM

When my aunt sends stuff, it usually gets here within 10 days. I think it also depends on the company as well, how long it'll take them to ship it. You might not have to pay a customs charge, I think they randomly check parcels. I've had loads of parcels from home and none of them get searched. You still have to pay for gifts if it's over a certain amount.

The_Pedant · 28 January 2010 at 11:10PM

If it's sent by air mail then it's usually inside of 2 weeks.

I say usually, as I once had a package (small jiffy bag) that took .....you won't believe this ...... 2 years, 3 months!!! :eek: Sent & postmarked late March 2005, arrived July 2007! No sign of it having been opened, stuck, damaged, or anything!

I do hope any delay for you is at the lower end of the scale

Nilrem · 29 January 2010 at 10:38AM

Airmail as mentioned can be very fast (2-3 working days), normally it's about 10 days for me, however customs can end up delaying it by days/weeks

although normally it's just a day or two and a trip down to the sorting office.

How long do customs hold packages from the US (roughly)

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