Purchasing Mobile Phone from China/Hong Kong

funkey_monkey

Hi,

I'm looking into purchasing a new mobile phone as my contract is now soon and I want to avoid buying the phone through the contract.

My current phone is very old - as the one I got during the contract had issues which EE refused to correct due to "wear and tear".

Anyhow, I'm looking to purchase a Xiaomi Note 4 online. I've looked into them and checked the 4G bands etc and I'm happy to progress with the purchase.

However, what is the process for getting these into the UK in terms of customs? Are they likely to incur a customs charge? If so, how much and is it unavoidable?

Has anyone done this and if so, what retailer did they use?


Thanks.

JJ_Egan

China/ HK are you returning the phone to China for warranty ??
Plus no sale of goods consumer regulations apply .

Jon_01

If you have it sent China post, you're 99% safe for customs fee's as they tend to put 'MP3 player. $12' on the paperwork. But it will take 3 to 4 weeks to get here.

If you have a faster delivery (DHL for example) you will get hit with import fee's and a processing fee from the carrier (anything up to £12).

But as JJ says above, you've no rights under UK consumer law if it goes wrong and it would have to go back at your cost to China/HK if it needed to. that can be upwards of £40.

oldagetraveller

I have bought two mobiles from Chinese sellers and had no problems whatsoever. I opted for insurance and Netherlands Post and there was full tracking all the way.
I have never had to pay any import duties, v.a.t. etc. on any Chinese purchases.
I had a problem with a faulty Android t.v. box which was purchased from the same seller as the phones. Their C.S. was excellent and the return was to a Birmingham, U.K. address. I did have to pay for that but was refunded, less my postage (circa £3), through Paypal, the full amount in five days.

funkey_monkey

Hi - thanks for all the replies.


In regards of the warranty risk, yes that is an issue. However, like I said in the OP, having a phone from EE meant I was going to still fork out ~£100 for the repairs to the handset, and as this handset is circa £125 there is little difference.


oldagetraveller - can you remember what Chinese retailer you made your purchases from?

funkey_monkey

In the end I got a Xiaomi Note 4 from the Solution Shop. Quick delivery and has a two year warranty (for what its worth...).
Very happy with the handset so far.

It wouldn't be Samsung quality and the MIUI interface has a few gremlins that you would not get on Android (based on it), but for the price it is a good device.

Korkyb

If you use a replacement launcher that will get past any oddities with the interface (and make it much more configurable).


Personally I use Nova Launcher but there are loads available:


https://www.androidauthority.com/best-android-launcher-apps-222408/


https://www.tomsguide.com/us/pictures-story/590-best-android-launchers.html

PHK

Just to add that MIUI is not just a skin and so there are some issues with using other launchers. They aren't major things but I would try the free versions of the launcher first.

Frozen_up_north

Be aware that goods imported from outside the EU and valued at more than £15, inc post/packing/insurance, are liable to incur 20% vat and a handling charge. Many (mostly far eastern sellers) fraudulently claim the goods to be worth less than £15.

https://www.gov.uk/goods-sent-from-abroad

boatman

As far as customs are concerned, you are the importer and are liable for any taxes. As others have said stick to standard free postage and should be ok. Don't make the mistake of buying the global ROM version, you need to buy the global version, subtle but important difference. Xiaomi don't have an official store on AliExpress, Goldway seem to be one that quite a few people have used, https://m.aliexpress.com/store/311331?#/

funkey_monkey

Frozen_up_north wrote: »

Be aware that goods imported from outside the EU and valued at more than £15, inc post/packing/insurance, are liable to incur 20% vat and a handling charge. Many (mostly far eastern sellers) fraudulently claim the goods to be worth less than £15.

https://www.gov.uk/goods-sent-from-abroad

Solution Shop prepaid this for me - one of the reasons I opted for them.