Warning: New Royal Mail Import Charges

zax47

Francesanne wrote: »

I'm sure it's been £15.00 for quite a while now. I wanted to order a pendant from the USA on eBay but had to make a mental note to keep order below £15.00. We'd been caught for customs duty on a model plane kit my husband ordered from USA via eBay and it cost him dear. So we're now very wary of overstepping that magic £15.00.

Indeed, quite a while now - as I said back in post #10

The threshold changed back in November 2011 - so not "recent" at all;

"HM Revenue and Customs Changes to Import VAT on goods imported on or after 1 November 2011
With effect from 1 November 2011, the threshold over which commercially imported goods entering the UK are subject to import VAT will reduce from £18 to £15. However, this change does not affect any other Customs thresholds or reliefs.
This means that from 1 November 2011, commercial consignments of £15 or less, excluding alcohol, tobacco products, perfume or toilet waters, will be free from customs duty and import VAT."

shaun_from_Africa

Just one thing to add for info/clarity in case anyone gets caught out. (it may already have been mentioned)

The £15 figure doesn't apply to goods imported into the UK from the Channel Islands.
As from April 2012, the low value relief for VAT procedure was changed and any imports from the CI are now liable for VAT (and the relevant handling fee) irrespective of their value.

SuperAllyB

Wish i'd realised that these customs charges existed. Ordered some curling equipment from Canada without budgeting for the charge.

£8 handling charge seems excessive, has anyone ever challenged how reasonable it is?

bod1467

£8 charge is not excessive. If it had been another company than RM then the charge would likely be much higher.

marliepanda

SuperAllyB wrote: »

Wish i'd realised that these customs charges existed. Ordered some curling equipment from Canada without budgeting for the charge.

£8 handling charge seems excessive, has anyone ever challenged how reasonable it is?

You can do it yourself. Drive down to the facility, pay your own customs fees in person, then drive home.

SuperAllyB

bod1467 wrote: »

£8 charge is not excessive. If it had been another company than RM then the charge would likely be much higher.

Not excessive? Even allowing the price of a stamp for the wee card they send you, someone on the minimum wage would only need to process one package an hour to cover their pay!

marliepanda wrote: »

You can do it yourself. Drive down to the facility, pay your own customs fees in person, then drive home.

What facility? First i knew the fees were due, the RM had already added their handling fee.

marliepanda

SuperAllyB wrote: »

Not excessive? Even allowing the price of a stamp for the wee card they send you, someone on the minimum wage would only need to process one package an hour to cover their pay!



What facility? First i knew the fees were due, the RM had already added their handling fee.

From an older thread:

What exactly is this charge for?

It is for presenting your package to customs. RM have to provide the invoice details to customs. They have to provide the package for inspection. (This may mean unpacking a container with thousands of packages and then repackaging the container for onward delivery). RM may have to open the package for presentation to customs. If they do, then RM have to repack your goods. This is what the 8 pounds pays for.

If you wish, you could always go down to Heathrow or Felixstowe and arrange yourself for your package to be presented to customs. Or you could employ your own customs agent (for a lot more than 8 pounds).

custardy

SuperAllyB wrote: »

Wish i'd realised that these customs charges existed. Ordered some curling equipment from Canada without budgeting for the charge.

£8 handling charge seems excessive, has anyone ever challenged how reasonable it is?

you found this thread.
Wouldn't it be prudent to go and look at the many more that exist?
You will be asking the same questions and making the same statements as all the rest.

powerful_Rogue

Azari wrote: »

Custardy, why do you insist on being such an nasty, annoying, little troll?

We know you were once a postman and that this seems to have been the pinnacle of your lifetimes achievements. You do occasionally post some useful information.

But it this case you are vindictively and pointlessly ridiculing someone who came to post a simple warning based on information he had been given at the post office.

If nothing else that warning could serve to alert people that they need to research and consider charges when buying items from abroad.

Why don't you just shut up and let a useful warning stand instead of wittering on incessantly in a vain attempt to impress people with your knowledge of postal rules, regulations, and charges? Isn't there a site somewhere for postal anoraks?

:eek: Was he?

He kept that one quiet.