USA Customs Charges?

martindow

In my experience Fedex have always delivered first and then invoiced for the payment a week or so later.

raa_thistle

Import duty on a wristwatch with mechanical face only is 4.5% from the states, you can find out using the TARIC website CLICKY

VAT is in addition to this duty.

Madam_Arcati

I have bought a lot of stuff from the States - new clothes mostly.

Sometimes the Customs folk have missed that an item has been marked as $120 and it has not been subject to customs.

Sometimes they have mistaken $60 for £60 and charged me the duty + £8 parcelforce fee.

I must say that I object to the parcelforce and royal mail fees of £8 and £4 respectively. They are a delivery service, so why don't they just deliver.
It doesn't cost them £4/£8 simply to collect money.

Another overcharging debate for Martin?

martindow

Madam_Arcati wrote: »

Sometimes they have mistaken $60 for £60 and charged me the duty + £8 parcelforce fee.

If this happens you can query it and get a refund. You need to keep the customs declaration form stuck to the box and send it to them. I also got a refund when the parcel had been charged on an incorrect commodity code and I had paid way too much duty.

Madam_Arcati

Yes I have done that - but then it is impossibe to reclaim the £8 that parcelforce charge - since the documents had to go to Customs for the rebate!

raa_thistle

they charge because AFAIK they don't just collect money, but actually pay it first and then you pay them. Never having been stung though I'm not sure.

If you really object it is possible to inform HMRC before the parcel arrives and pay them direct, thus avoiding the delivery charge, but unfortunately guaranteeing you get stung for VAT and duty. Useful if its something work related if SE, otherwise just take the chance.

Madam_Arcati

Good idea!

I don't always know what they are going to hit!

The problem is when HMRC mistake dollars for pounds and overcharge. So, something that ought not to have any charges ends up with charges and the parcelforce/royal mail charge. I don't mind the £4 so much as the £8.

andy768

Well delivery arrived today with no mention of charges. Would it be delivered separately?

Stuart_P

andy768 wrote: »

Well delivery arrived today with no mention of charges. Would it be delivered separately?

sent separately via a letter i think

sara2323

raa_thistle wrote: »

they charge because AFAIK they don't just collect money, but actually pay it first and then you pay them. Never having been stung though I'm not sure.

If you really object it is possible to inform HMRC before the parcel arrives and pay them direct, thus avoiding the delivery charge, but unfortunately guaranteeing you get stung for VAT and duty. Useful if its something work related if SE, otherwise just take the chance.

I've received a few items from USA via UPS and each time UPS have charged £11+ handling charge each time, Previously the company used DHL and I was charged £1.25 handling fee for the same service!!!

I have contacted UPS and HMRC in regard to paying in advance before parcel arrives but have been told by both that this is only applicable to businesses who have a large turnover and a number of imports.