Receiving a parcel from the US

boxingbantz

I was, apparently, sent a parcel from the US 15 days ago and I am still yet to receive it.

I am assuming it was sent with USPS and their 'standard' kind of postage.

How long can I expect to wait for it to arrive here in the UK? Am I right in thinking it could sit in customs for a couple of weeks?

johnnyreggae

Similar thing happened to me once : USPS sends standard parcels to the UK seamail so it can take 4-6 weeks before it gets to customs and then as you say another week or two while they decide how much to charge

boxingbantz

johnnyreggae wrote: »

Similar thing happened to me once : USPS sends standard parcels to the UK seamail so it can take 4-6 weeks before it gets to customs and then as you say another week or two while they decide how much to charge

Charged?

It's a signed pair of boxing shorts sent, personally, from the fighter in question. I won't pay tax on that, surely?

nikki1520

Depends on the value - Customs Duty, VAT and a handling charge from Royal Mail / DHL or whatever agent clears the parcel may apply if the value is over £40 for Customs duty / £135 for VAT. If the duty is less than £9 it is waived.

Assuming it was sent as a gift - the situation differs, but only slightly, if you paid for the goods

towton2_2

Are you expecting a parcel ? I have recived several e-mails supposed to be from UPS and other companies saying I am due a parcel.I know of no parcel being sent and believe 99% that it a scam to learn my details. Just be wary of giving out too much information and if they want money be VERY wary.

soolin

boxingbantz wrote: »

Charged?

It's a signed pair of boxing shorts sent, personally, from the fighter in question. I won't pay tax on that, surely?

AS per the other posts, virtually everything over a certain amount is chargeable. When my sister lived overseas we got used to splitting gifts into smaller packages to stay under the chargeable threshold.

boxingbantz

That doesn't really answer my question - just wondering it is common to sometimes wait over two weeks for a parcel being sent from Vegas?

soolin

boxingbantz wrote: »

That doesn't really answer my question - just wondering it is common to sometimes wait over two weeks for a parcel being sent from Vegas?

Yes it is, if customs have it they can take a few days to get a bill out for any duty payable.

QueenieB

I've waited as long as a month for parcels from the USA.

martindow

nikki1520 wrote: »

Depends on the value - Customs Duty, VAT and a handling charge from Royal Mail / DHL or whatever agent clears the parcel may apply if the value is over £40 for Customs duty / £135 for VAT. If the duty is less than £9 it is waived.

Assuming it was sent as a gift - the situation differs, but only slightly, if you paid for the goods

I think these figures are not right. Anything over 18 pounds is liable to VAT which is charged on the item value + postage cost. £135 is the value where duty starts to be paid.

OP, the good news is that USPS items are usually handled by Royal Mail where you stand the greatest chance of it slipping through and being delivered with no payment being demanded.

boxingbantz

Fantastic.

Cheers for the advice ladies and gents.